The government of Chile has approved the 2014-2015 expansion plan, which provides for the interconnection of the two main electricity grids of the country, the SING (Sistema Interconectado del Norte Grande) and the SIC (Sistema Interconectado Central); the SING stretches from Arica to Antofagasta and the SIC from Taltal (near Antofagasta) to Chiloé island. The interconnection is expected to reduce the electricity system costs by about US$1.1bn: electricity bills are expected to fall by US$13/MWh for households in Norte Grande (by US$3/MWh for those in South Central region) and by up to US$17/MWh for industries in Norte Grande (by US$9/MWh for those in South Central region). The interconnection of the two systems is also expected to boost the development of renewable energies and to reduce uncertainty for operators while increasing competition.
Source: IEPE