He Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) will invest a total of 1,105 million dollars in the renovation project to enhance the hydroelectric complex of Big jump, which has three stages and will end in 2045.
The objective of the initiative is to extend the useful life, production capacity, efficiency and safety of the binational organization, which is fundamental for the generation of electric power in Uruguay and Argentina.
The project was formally presented during the inauguration of the expansion work of the Salto Grande substation Uruguay, section 9 – Chamberlain Line, in an event that was attended by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Omar Paganini.
In this framework, the chancellor valued “the importance of Salto Grande and its contribution to the national electrical matrix, providing stability and security of supply.”
Salto Grande as a fundamental actor for the energy transition
In turn, the general manager of Salto Grande, Gabriel Sardi, He highlighted that the project implies “a great opportunity to reaffirm the renovation program of the hydroelectric complex, which supplies more than 40% of the energy consumption of Uruguay”.
“For this reason, it is a fundamental actor in the transition to renewable energy, since it has allowed the conversion to photovoltaic and wind energy, ensuring the stability and power of the system,” highlighted the engineer.
In this regard, Sardi highlighted that “not having Big Jump It would cost the country approximately 1 million dollars per day”, which is why he considered that “it is essential to maintain production capacity, provide security and power to the system for 40 more years.”
An ambitious project in 3 stages
The project to repower Salto Grande began in 2019, with the Stage I, which would end this year, with an investment of 80 million dollars. They included the renovation of the cranes, the evacuation, electrical and mechanical and fire-fighting systems, as well as the control of the electrical complex and the coastal erosion mitigation works on both banks.
The Stage II It is subdivided into two sections: it will begin this year and will end in 2029, with an investment of 150 million dollars; then, between 2029 and 2034, it will involve another 275 million. The focus will be to modernize the four substations, to optimize international interconnection.
Finally, the Stage III seeks to restore the main equipment of the 14 existing hydrogenerating units in the hydroelectric plant to its condition of optimal operation and reliability for the next 30 years, for which 600 million dollars will be invested, with works between 2025 and 2045.
Source: Ambito
