Asunción, Paraguay – Paraguay's state-owned power company, Ande, is preparing new tenders for the construction of transmission infrastructure as part of a larger power grid expansion project valued at approximately $259 million USD (approximately 350 billion Korean Won). This initiative is a core project for the Paraguayan government, aiming to meet surging electricity demand and ensure stable power supply, and is expected to significantly impact the nation's economic development.

 
Why is Power Infrastructure Expansion Crucial?

Paraguay stands as one of South America's major electricity producers, boasting abundant power generation primarily through large-scale hydropower plants such as the Itaipu Dam and the Yacyreta Dam. The Itaipu Dam, co-owned with Brazil, is recognized as one of the world's largest hydroelectric power plants, while the Yacyreta Dam is a key power source shared with Argentina. With this substantial generation capacity, Paraguay fulfills its domestic electricity needs and exports surplus power to neighboring countries, significantly contributing to its national revenue.

However, a key challenge lies in the relatively inadequate infrastructure for efficient power transmission and distribution. Aging transmission lines and substations result in power losses, and power outages frequently occur, particularly in the capital city of Asunción and other major urban areas where electricity demand is concentrated. Furthermore, as economic growth drives industrialization and urbanization, the demand for electricity continues to rise, making the expansion of infrastructure for stable power supply even more critical.

This $259 million package project is a strategic investment designed to address these issues, modernize Paraguay's power system, and prepare for future energy demands.

 
Ande's Key Implementation Plans

Ande's primary focus for this project will be on strengthening the transmission network, reducing power loss, and enhancing the stability of the power supply. The specific plans include:

Construction of New Transmission Lines: This involves replacing aging transmission lines and building new ones in high-demand areas to increase power transmission capacity. This will contribute to minimizing power loss by enabling efficient power delivery from generation plants to various regions.
Modernization and Construction of New Substations: Existing substation facilities will be upgraded, and new substations will be constructed in areas with increasing power load to improve power distribution efficiency. Substations are critical facilities that regulate voltage to enable stable power supply.
Introduction of Smart Grid Technology: In the long term, there are plans to introduce smart grid technology to further enhance the efficiency and stability of the power grid. A smart grid is a next-generation power network that utilizes information and communication technology to monitor and control the entire process of power generation, transmission, and consumption in real-time, maximizing power efficiency.
Financially, this project is highly likely to receive support from international financial institutions. In the past, Ande has secured funding for power infrastructure improvements from organizations such as the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Latin American Development Bank (CAF). Such external funding will alleviate the Paraguayan government's financial burden and facilitate the smooth execution of the project.

 
Expected Benefits and Outlook

This power grid expansion project is anticipated to bring the following positive effects to Paraguay's power system:

Improved Power Supply Stability: It will reduce the frequency of power outages and enhance power quality, ensuring a stable electricity supply for both households and industrial facilities. This will improve the convenience of daily life for citizens and increase predictability for business operations.
Reduced Power Loss: The establishment of an efficient transmission and distribution system will minimize power loss, reducing the waste of national resources and increasing economic efficiency.
Contribution to Economic Growth: A stable power supply will promote investment attraction and industrial development, significantly contributing to Paraguay's economic growth. This is particularly essential for the development of power-intensive industries such as manufacturing.
Enhanced Energy Security: Strengthening the domestic power grid will reduce power instability caused by external factors and ensure long-term energy security.
Ande's upcoming call for new tenders demonstrates Paraguay's commitment to taking significant steps towards sustainable growth. The expansion of power infrastructure is more than just a technical improvement; it will be a key driver in enhancing the quality of life for its citizens and propelling national economic development.