Interconexión Electrica S A E S P : ISA gives Colombia a key project to strengthen the electric power system on the Atlantic Coast

• The El Río Interconnection was inaugurated on January 4, with the presence of the Minister of Mines and Energy, Irene Vélez Torres.
• The new project reinforces the reliable, secure supply of electric power in the region and contributes to the acceleration of the energy transition.
• The project received a social, environmental, and archaeological investment of more than COP 8 billion.
• During 2022, the Company also commissioned the Costa Caribe 500 kV Interconnection, a key element of the energy transition, and developed social and environmental management initiatives in the territory for COP 60 billion.

Through its company ISA INTERCOLOMBIA, ISA gave Colombia the El Río 220 kV Interconnection, a project that strengthens the electric power system of the Atlántico, developed in accordance with the deadline commitment established with the Energy and Mining Planning Unit (UPME).

This project, which required an investment of approximately USD 88 million, built 15 kilometers of underground 220 kV transmission lines, the longest at this voltage in Colombia. Also, the new El Río substation was built and the Tebsa and Termoflores substations were expanded, all of them in the department of Atlántico.

Juan Emilio Posada Echeverri, ISA's CEO, said "ISA and its companies have been driving the progress and development of the region with their presence for 24 years, currently covering more than 3,629 km of lines in operation and 670 km of lines under construction. Some of these projects are now delivering clean energy from renewable sources, which is an important step in our contribution to the energy transition."

Luis Alejandro Camargo, manager of ISA INTERCOLOMBIA, pointed out that "this project offers a stronger energy transmission system by closing a high-voltage power ring in the Metropolitan Area of Barranquilla. This means that power can flow through different paths, ensuring the reliable, secure supply of energy in the region."

Socio-environmental management

ISA and its companies remain loyal to their commitment to contribute to the development and transformation of territories through programs that generate sustainable value and leave a positive, everlasting legacy of empowerment, fostering, and respect for human rights.

In this regard, the El Rio Interconnection project required a social investment in the territory (mandatory and voluntary) of approximately COP 6 billion, of which COP 3 billion were destined to the development of 26 community projects in the neighboring areas of influence, with a focus on strengthening sports, culture, technology, healthcare, education, and productive units through the Juntos Crecemos (Together We Grow) program. Also, during the construction stage, 823 jobs were created in the region (municipalities of Soledad and the District of Barranquilla).

We also continue to work on improving environmental conditions by managing our business impacts for a proactive, significant contribution to mitigate and adapt to climate change and to protect and conserve ecosystems and their biodiversity. COP 600 million were invested for the protection of the environment, including COP 160 million for the fauna management program, ecological rehabilitation, and reforestation, where the planting of more than 180 trees in the municipalities of Soledad and the District of Barranquilla stands out. In addition, approximately COP 1.6 billion was invested in the Preventive Archeology Program through the Universidad del Norte.

Costa Caribe Interconnection, another key project for Colombia's energy transition

As part of the El Río 220 kV Interconnection inauguration event, ISA INTERCOLOMBIA informed that it also put into service the Costa Caribe 500 kV Interconnection in July 2022, which is essential to strengthen the reliability of the country's energy system.

The project, which covers 22 municipalities in the departments of Córdoba, Sucre, Bolívar, Magdalena, and Cesar, installed 369 kilometers of 500 kV transmission lines and expanded three substations: Cerromatoso and Chinú in Córdoba, and Copey in El Cesar.

Juan Emilio Posada Echeverri, CEO of ISA, said "we are bringing development to Colombia through this project, which is an essential factor in the energy transition. The Costa Caribe Interconnection, in which USD 114 million were invested, improves the conditions for the provision of energy services, as it is a new way to connect the generators in the central region with the Colombian Caribbean. In the future, the project will contribute to transporting energy from solar and wind power plants to the rest of Colombia."

"The Costa Caribe Interconnection was built with cutting-edge technology, which represents great engineering achievements for the country, by using towers ranging in height from 35 to 130 meters, seeking to reduce the impact on ecosystems so that there is harmony with the environment with a sustainable approach. Likewise, these are 500 kV double-circuit towers, which will allow the future expansion of these lines without having to buy or go through new land", said Luis Alejandro Camargo Suan, General Manager of ISA INTERCOLOMBIA.

Within the construction of the project, social and environmental management initiatives were developed in the territory, amounting to COP 60 billion.