The project is nearly 20% complete, with work underway simultaneously on more than 160 structures, in addition to the converter substations.

Seven months after construction began, and in the heart of the Atacama Desert, the Kimal-Lo Aguirre Connection project began the process of assembling and erecting towers, marking a visible milestone in the project’s progress.

The event was attended by the regional presidential delegate for Antofagasta, Katherine López; the regional ministerial secretary for National Assets, Patricio Martínez; and the company’s general manager, Sebastián Fernández, who witnessed the hoisting of one of the structures.

“The energy transition gives us the opportunity to ensure that infrastructure is perceived as a public good. Because society today recognizes the need for infrastructure—grids capable of transporting energy safely, efficiently, and reliably. And that is what we are building. What we have imagined, planned, and prepared for so long is now beginning to take shape before our eyes. Although we’ve been under construction for six months, it is only today that we can truly show and affirm that Kimal-Lo Aguirre is taking shape,” said Sebastián Fernández.

Currently, the project is nearly 20% complete, with simultaneous work underway on more than 160 structures, in addition to the converter substations. At the milestone event, the hoisting of a direct-current tower was witnessed for the first time. These towers measure over 53 meters in height and weigh more than 11 metric tons, requiring the use of state-of-the-art cranes brought to Chile specifically for this project.

For his part, the mayor of the municipality, Sacha Razmilic, emphasized the implications of this transmission line and outlined the projections for the area. “Kimal-Lo Aguirre is much more than a transmission project; it is an opportunity for Antofagasta to consolidate its position as Chile’s energy hub. It means investment, jobs, new opportunities for clean energy, and better utilization of the enormous solar potential we have in our region,” he said.

Likewise, the presidential delegate, Katherine López, praised the contribution of these advancements to Antofagasta. “As a region, we have everything necessary to generate renewable energy through photovoltaic panels, but it is impossible to harness that resource and deliver it to households across the country without a strategic partner. In that sense, Kimal-Lo Aguirre is carrying out important work that will continue to grow across our territories,” she stated.

It is worth noting that Kimal-Lo Aguirre is considered a strategic infrastructure project for Chile’s electrical grid. The project involves the installation of 2,692 towers along 1,346 kilometers between the Antofagasta and Metropolitan regions, crossing five regions and 28 municipalities across the country, with a capacity to transmit up to 3,000 MW. As such, its entry into operation will strengthen the National Electric System and advance the integration of renewable energy.