The government of Ecuador is moving forward with the Ecuador–Peru Electric Interconnection project, which will operate at 500,000 volts and involves an investment of USD 289.4 million on the Ecuadorian side. The initiative aims to strengthen the security of electricity supply for approximately 18 million Ecuadorians.
On November 20, representatives from Corporación Eléctrica del Ecuador (CELEC EP), along with technical staff from its Transelectric business unit, met with officials from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the European Investment Bank (EIB), both of which are funding the project. During this event, attended by 95 national and international companies, details about the project’s scope and benefits were presented. Information was also shared regarding the process for international bidding for goods and construction work.
Javier Medina, Vice Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy; Antonio Jácome Pólit, General Manager of CELEC EP; Ignez Tristao, IDB representative in Ecuador; and Jekaterina Dorodnova, European Union Ambassador to Ecuador presided over the event.
Vice Minister Medina stated: “the country needs it. We continue preparing as a nation; lessons from the past have helped us strengthen our electrical system and move forward in a transition that is also social.”
Antonio Jácome Pólit added: “this project, driven by the Government of New Ecuador, will open the door to energy exchanges between Ecuador and Peru, taking advantage of each system’s strengths to achieve greater security and stability in electricity supply for all 18 million Ecuadorians.”
The project includes several transmission lines: Chorrillos–Pasaje at 500 kV double circuit over 206.97 km; Pasaje–Frontera at 500 kV double circuit over 77.88 km; and a 230 kV line from Pasaje substation spanning 1.96 km that will connect to an existing line between Minas San Francisco and San Idelfonso. It also involves building new substations such as Pasaje (500/230 kV with a capacity of 600 MVA) and expanding Chorrillos substation (500 kV).
The interconnection is expected to facilitate energy exchanges between Ecuador and Peru by leveraging differences in hydrological conditions. This would allow exportation during periods of surplus production or importation when there are domestic shortfalls.
Through this project, the government aims to reinforce its commitment to strengthening the electric sector while promoting national development, productivity, and regional energy integration.
