- A fully automated and remotely controlled digital substation, which will allow for a better response in contingency times. Its automation systems and power equipment will meet the highest international standards.
- Works are expected to begin in the second quarter of 2021, once the necessary procedures for this purpose have been approved.
- It will benefit more than 265,000 people directly, as it will improve the quality, reliability and operability of the energy service in the Girardot, Ricaurte, Tocaima and Agua de Dios areas.
- It will provide energy to infrastructure expansion projects that are currently being developed in the region, considering that nearly 2,000 licenses have been issued for the construction of over 12,000 homes.
The Barzalosa Substation will be developed together with the technical, environmental and social regulations that allow for the project to be harmonized with the environment, thus guaranteeing the viability in its construction and operation stages, through the environmental licensing process. So far, the following milestones have been achieved:
- Construction approval in September 2016, by the Energy-Mining Planning Unit - UPME.
- Lot acquisition in September 2018.
- Initiation of the planning, design and engineering studies phase in the first quarter of 2019.
- Initiation of Environmental Impact Study - EIA in February 2020.
- Filing of the EIA before the Regional Autonomous Corporation - CAR - Alto Magdalena Regional Directorate, in the second semester of 2020.
- Filing of the construction phase of the substation towards the second quarter of 2021.
- Commissioning and operation in 2022.
Environmental license: permit granted by the Regional Autonomous Corporation of Cundinamarca (CAR) to comply with the requirements to prevent, mitigate, correct and compensate for possible environmental effects of the project.
To obtain this license, the Environmental Impact Study - EIA must be prepared in accordance with the terms of reference delivered by the CAR in February 2020 and the General Methodology for the submission of Environmental Studies. This includes:
- Project description.
- Characteristics of the area of influence, corresponding to the Guabinal Plan villages, and the Barzalosa Centro and Barzalosa Cementerio sectors, and the physical, biotic and socio-economic means.
- Information on permits related to forestry land-use.
- Evaluation of environmental impacts.
- Economic evaluation of the positive and negative impacts of the project.
- Environmental Management Plan.
- Follow-up and Monitoring Program.
- Risk Management Plan.
- Dismantling and exit plan.
Construction license: Once we have an environmental license granted by the CAR, we will file an application for a construction license with the Urban Curatorship for the project.
Consists of the measures and activities carried out by ENEL COLOMBIA to prevent, mitigate, correct or compensate the environmental impacts and effects as may be caused by the development of works and commissioning of the project:
- Physical Component: soil, water and air management programs.
- Biotic Component (flora and fauna): soil management and compensation program.
- Socioeconomic Component: education and training program for project-related personnel, as well as the information and community participation.
In addition, training, education and awareness programs will be carried out for the community surrounding the project, hiring of unskilled personnel and preventive archeology.
Throughout the process we will maintain contact with all the stakeholders involved in the intervention, through introductory, follow-up and conclusion meetings.
We will do this through information letters, personalized invitations, phone calls and emails; We will also communicate the activity with billboards in town halls and villages, publication in newspapers and broadcasting on radio stations.
We will attend to all queries at the Mobile Customer Advisory Center (CMAC), a mobile office with permanent contact to provide the appropriate responses.
The Enel Colombia Operations Support Division will also be available to meet the community's requirements related to the development of the project.
To view the video of the socialization of project results click here.