After obtaining the Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity granted by ENReGE, the company will move forward with a series of projects that will strengthen the provincial electrical system, at no cost to users.
By Panorama Minero
On July 29, Argentina's National Gas and Electricity Regulatory Authority (ENReGE) granted Vicuña the Public Convenience and Necessity Certificate (CCyNP) for the development of the High-Voltage Power Infrastructure Project (PIEAT).The resolution concludes a process initiated in 2023 and authorizes the company to develop strategic infrastructure that will strengthen San Juan's electrical system, improve supply conditions for the north of the province, bring San Juan closer to having a new source of energy supply, and, at the same time, allow it to supply the copper project that Vicuña is developing in the San Juan mountain range.
All works will be fully funded by Vicuña, without passing costs on to electricity system users. Upon completion of construction, the infrastructure will be integrated into the Argentine Interconnection System (SADI) and managed by the high-voltage transmission concessionaire, becoming permanent infrastructure for the province's future development.
The resolution is the result of a process involving over three years of technical work and coordination among Vicuña, national and provincial authorities, and various stakeholders in the electricity sector. This collaborative effort made it possible to define infrastructure that offers benefits extending beyond the project's immediate needs and will contribute to strengthening the provincial electricity system in the long term.
“Obtaining the CCyNP (Certificate of Concessionary and Non-Contractual Permit) represents a very important step for the development of the project and, at the same time, constitutes an opportunity to leave behind strategic infrastructure that will strengthen the electrical system of San Juan and support the province's growth for decades to come,” stated José Morea, Country Director of Vicuña.
In parallel, Vicuña is maintaining a constructive dialogue with the EPRE and provincial authorities to reach an understanding regarding the recognition of investments made in pre-existing electrical infrastructure, based on criteria that are objective, reasonable, and consistent with the applicable regulatory framework.
Furthermore, once the needs of the Vicuña Project have been met, the remaining incremental capacity generated by the expansion works could potentially be utilized by other users—in accordance with current regulations—thereby helping to strengthen the electrical system and create new opportunities for San Juan's energy and productive development.
Benefits for San Juan
The addition of new 500 kV infrastructure—the highest capacity level in the national electricity transmission system—will make it possible to significantly increase power transmission capacity to northwestern San Juan, eliminate existing structural constraints, and create better conditions to support the future growth of provincial electricity demand.
Furthermore, the expansions align with the electric power system planning established by the National Secretariat of Energy. In this context, the Rodeo–Chaparro corridor will contribute to the future Rodeo–Chaparro–La Rioja Sur interconnection—identified as a priority within the national plan—thereby strengthening energy integration in western and northwestern Argentina.
At the same time, the increase in electricity evacuation capacity at Rodeo and the creation of a strategic node at Chaparro—located in an area with great potential for renewable energy production—will generate better technical conditions for the development of photovoltaic projects and other technologies.
Main Works
The High-Voltage Electrical Infrastructure Project comprises four main components:
- Expansion of the Nueva San Juan and Rodeo Substations
The works include the expansion of the 500 kV switchyard at the Nueva San Juan Substation, the construction of the 500 kV switchyard at the Rodeo Substation, and the expansion of the 132 kV switchyard at the same station, including a 500/132 kV transformer bank of 3 x 200 MVA.
These works will allow the existing line, which currently operates at 132 kV, to operate at 500 kV.
- New Extra High Voltage Line Rodeo – Chaparro (500 kV)
A new line of approximately 167 kilometers will be built, traversing mountainous terrain and reaching an altitude of 3,500 m.a.s.l., connecting the Rodeo Substation with the new Chaparro Substation.
- New Chaparro Substation
The new substation will feature GIS (Gas Insulated Switchgear) technology and will have 220 kV outputs to the Vicuña project, as well as provisions for future interconnections to northwestern Argentina at 500 kV, allowing San Juan to move towards completing its 500 kV energy ring, with supply from both the north and south of the province.
- New High Voltage Line Chaparro – Josemaría Substation (220 kV)
This dedicated line will reach the Josemaría Substation, which will be built within the mining project alongside the processing facilities. It will have an approximate length of 93 kilometers and, in some sections, will reach a height of 4,550 m.a.s.l.
Vicuña Corp. is a 50:50 joint venture between BHP and Lundin Mining, established to consolidate and develop the Josemaría and Filo Del Sol copper deposits across San Juan Province, Argentina, and the Atacama Region of Chile.
