The Queule feeder stretches 5.6 miles through the Pedro Aguirre Cerda, Cerrillos, and Estación Central municipalities. Managed by Enel Distribución, it is part of the company's current investment plan, which involves building 16 more feeders of a similar type to support its goal of continuous operational improvement.
The feeder starts at the Lo Valledor electrical substation and supplies approximately 30,000 customers across three cities, increasing power distribution capacity to support various transformers and meet the growing regional demand.
The infrastructure also functions as a backup system, with nine remote control devices that can transfer loads from other feeders remotely if there's a failure or disconnection. This improves response times and speeds up power supply recovery.
"An electrical feeder is a crucial artery in the city's power distribution network. Increasing the number of feeders improves our ability to deliver high-quality electricity. We aim to enhance system reliability through such projects, ensuring a more dependable and resilient supply by using advanced technology and specialized equipment that monitor the network," as Francisco Messen, Construction, Operations, and Maintenance Manager at Enel Distribución, explains.
Most of the 30,000 customers benefiting from this initiative are in the municipality of Pedro Aguirre Cerda, along with those in Cerrillos and Estación Central.
Luis Astudillo, the mayor of Pedro Aguirre Cerda, stated, "We have made a significant advancement. This project fulfills a strong community wish: a safer and more reliable electricity supply after years of power outages. We remain committed to building a more dignified community with an improved quality of life for all."
Johnny Yáñez, the mayor of Cerrillos, stated that "this feeder will improve service for the community. Although wind and rain can cause challenges during winter, this project makes the electrical networks more reliable by including coated cables. We are also working on additional initiatives. All community improvement projects are appreciated."
The project is part of the company's annual investment plan, which also includes developing 16 other new feeders across various locations within our concession area. "As part of the works plan, we will commission 17 new feeders this year, including installing electrical networks, remote-controlled equipment, and digital infrastructure to ensure the distribution system operates quickly and efficiently. This will help us build a stronger, more modern network prepared to serve new customers," concluded Francisco Messen.