The Government of Ecuador has announced an investment of $278 million to enhance the National Electricity Transmission System. This initiative is being carried out through the Ministry of Environment and Energy and the state-run Corporación Eléctrica del Ecuador (CELEC EP). The funding will support multi-year projects, with ongoing work planned for this year.
In 2025, CELEC EP, through its Transelectric business unit, allocated $114.9 million for the completion of three new transmission systems and the expansion of four existing facilities within the national system. These projects are intended to improve both reliability and operational capacity.
Among the completed works is the La Avanzada transmission system, operating at 230/138 kilovolts (kV) and 150 megavolt-amperes (MVA), which serves El Oro province and was inaugurated on October 16. The Tanicuchí transmission system, also rated at 230/138 kV and 150 MVA, had its substation energized on December 12. Additionally, the Cajas system (230/69 kV, 150 MVA) began operation on December 20 to strengthen electrical operations in Imbabura.
Expansions have also been finalized at key substations: Posorja (first stage: 138/69 kV, 67 MVA) and Durán (69 kV) in Guayas; El Inga (138 kV yard) in Pichincha; and Jivino (230 kV) in Sucumbíos.
Further construction progressed during 2025 with a budget of $154.6 million across eleven transmission projects aimed at optimizing national grid performance:
– The Orquídeas transmission system is expected to improve energy delivery to northern Guayaquil with an investment of $38.6 million.
– The Delsitanisagua – Cumbaratza – Bomboiza line will benefit Zamora Chinchipe province ($44.2 million).
– The Tisaleo-Totoras line in Tungurahua received $5.4 million.
Additional expansions include critical substations in several provinces:
– In Guayas: Esclusas ($13.2 million), Salitral ($29.3 million), second phase of Posorja ($5.3 million), Orquídeas ($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)
Maintenance activities were also prioritized last year with more than three thousand interventions conducted on infrastructure at a cost of $8.5 million.
The government stated that these efforts reflect their commitment “to modernizing and strengthening the electricity system while ensuring safe and sustainable operation.” According to officials from both the Ministry of Environment and Energy as well as CELEC EP, these measures are essential for maintaining a reliable national power supply.
