The governor Marcelo Orrego led the opening of bidding envelopes for contracting works and provision of equipment and materials for the Cañada Hoda Transformer Station and the opening of envelope No. 2 (economic offer) for the provision of transformer for the Nueva San Juan Transformer Station.
The event took place at Government House and was also attended by the Minister of Infrastructure, Water and Energy, Fernando Perea, Chief Government Clerk, Mayra María Eugenia Mancini, Director of Energy Resources, José Ginestar; President of the Board of Directors of EPRE, Oscar Trad, and other representatives of electric energy companies.
In this way, the opening of envelopes was carried out in two bidding processes for electrical infrastructure projects in the province of San Juan.
During the event, Orrego assured: “On multiple occasions I have mentioned three key words: learn, work and produce. Production, especially in terms of energy, is crucial for San Juan, since it allows us to increase our productive capacity.”
He also added that: “Both projects offer new opportunities to the department of Sarmiento, known for its diversified productive activity. This will not only increase current production, but will also allow us to achieve new goals. The installation and commissioning of the transformer in Nueva San Juan will be essential to double our productive capacity. This advance is significant and transcendental for our future.”
He concluded by saying that “I want to highlight the importance of this day and thank the EPRE authorities and all the people of San Juan. These initiatives not only seek to improve our services, reduce power outages and offer better opportunities, but also strengthen our community as a whole. I thank you once again for your continued support and commitment.”
In this context, Trad said: “In May, we opened a tender for the purchase of a transformer for the Nueva San Juan transformer station. This machine is expensive and allows the voltage to be reduced from 500 kilovolts to 132 and 33 kilovolts. The tender began with the opening of envelope one, which contains technical information about the equipment and economic data of the company to evaluate its supply capacity. After a detailed analysis, it was concluded that one of the bidders did not meet the necessary conditions, leaving only the second bidder in competition. After completing the corresponding administrative acts, today we will proceed to open envelope two, which includes the financial offer.”
He also added that “in parallel, we have terminated a contract with a UTE that could not continue the construction of a 64-kilometer 132 kilovolt line due to economic problems. A new company from San Juan has taken up the work, which is currently underway. In addition, we are working on a line from San Juan Sur to El Carmen, intended for the agricultural area, which we hope to complete and inaugurate by the end of the year.”
“Finally, we will open another tender for a second transformation field at the Cañada Onda transformer station. This station, built in 2007, is crucial for the connection between San Juan and Mendoza through several high voltage lines. The new work is part of an ongoing effort to improve electrical infrastructure in the region,” he said.
The details of the tendered works
In the case of Tender 05/2023, it involves the contracting of works and provision of equipment and materials for the Cañada Honda Transformer Station, located on Provincial Route 153, near National Route 40, in Sarmiento.
This station is located in an area that includes mining, tourist and agricultural production areas. The station receives power from two 132 kilovolt lines from stations in Mendoza and San Juan, which improves the reliability of the system.
Currently, the station has a 30 MW transformer and with this tender its capacity will be doubled to 60 MW. The necessary transformer has already been acquired through National Tender No. 02/23 and is under construction. What Envelope No. 1 was opened, which contains technical, legal and economic information of the bidders.
Regarding Tender 04/2023, this focuses on the provision of a 450 MW power transformer for the Nueva San Juan Transformer Station.
It should be noted that on May 17, 2024, Envelope No. 1 was opened and only one of the two bidders was authorized to open Envelope No. 2. This process is crucial for San Juan, since energy is essential for growth. It will improve the quality of service for various users. It will double the province’s electricity supply capacity, improving the reliability of the electrical system and the export of renewable energy.
