The Ecuadorian government, through the Ministry of Environment and Energy and the Corporación Eléctrica del Ecuador (CELEC EP), is investing $278 million to enhance the National Electricity Transmission System. The multi-year projects are scheduled to continue throughout this year.
In 2025, CELEC EP, via its Transelectric business unit, allocated $114.9 million to complete three new transmission systems and expand four existing facilities within the national grid. These efforts are aimed at improving both reliability and operational capacity.
Completed works include the La Avanzada transmission system (230/138 kilovolts, 150 megavolt-amperes) serving El Oro province, which was inaugurated on October 16; the Tanicuchí system (230/138 kV, 150 MVA), energized on December 12; and the Cajas system (230/69 kV, 150 MVA), energized on December 20 to strengthen operations in Imbabura.
Expansions were also finalized at strategic substations: Posorja (138/69 kV, 67 MVA) and Durán (69 kV) in Guayas province; El Inga (138 kV) in Pichincha; and Jivino (230 kV) in Sucumbíos.
Additionally, during 2025, CELEC EP advanced construction on eleven transmission projects with an investment of $154.6 million. Notable among these are:
– The Orquídeas transmission system ($38.6 million), expected to improve energy delivery to northern Guayaquil.
– The Delsitanisagua – Cumbaratza – Bomboiza system ($44.2 million), designed to enhance electricity service in Zamora Chinchipe.
– The Tisaleo-Totoras line in Tungurahua ($5.4 million).
Further expansions are underway at other substations crucial for increasing electric service across several provinces:
– In Guayas: Esclusas substation ($13.2 million), Salitral ($29.3 million), a second phase at Posorja ($5.3 million), and Orquídeas substation ($26.3 million).
– In Manabí: Manta 2 substation ($9.9 million).
– In Esmeraldas: Esmeraldas substation ($5.4 million).
– In Loja: Loja substation ($1.9 million).
– In Cañar: Taday substation ($7.7 million).
In addition to infrastructure development, there were 3,340 maintenance operations carried out on the national transmission system during 2025 with an investment of $8.5 million.
“With these interventions, the National Government, the Ministry of Environment and Energy and CELEC EP reaffirm their commitment to modernizing and strengthening the electricity system, ensuring its safe and sustainable operation,” stated officials from the involved institutions.
