Uruguay’s Northern Ring transmission project nears completion with Chamberlain substation fully operational

UTE brought the Chamberlain substation to full operational capacity in June 2026 with the incorporation of the second autotransformer bank near Paso de los Toros in Tacuarembó department. The facility transforms power from 500 kV arriving from Salto Grande to 150 kV and 31.5 kV levels for distribution across the national grid. Final completion of the Northern Ring awaits only the Melo segment works, expected to finish in September 2026, according to UTE technical chief Hernán Mespolet.

The transmission infrastructure comprises two main segments totaling approximately 350 kilometers: Tacuarembó to Chamberlain and Chamberlain to Salto Grande. CMEC installed nearly 1,000 high-voltage towers along the route after winning an international tender in 2019. The contract, structured as a leasing arrangement through a trust with RAFISA as fiduciary, was signed simultaneously in Montevideo and Beijing in May 2021. Construction duration was initially estimated at 42 months but extended to nearly four years.

The Chamberlain substation will integrate generation from the Rincón del Bonete hydroelectric facility, central region wind farms, and UPM’s industrial plant. The cellulose producer plans to inject renewable energy into the grid starting in 2025. UTE president Silvia Emaldi identified the Northern Ring as the administration’s principal electrical sector project, emphasizing enhanced export capacity alongside domestic supply reliability.

The 500 kV loop creates redundant transmission paths across northern Uruguay, reducing service interruption risks and technical losses while expanding capacity for new productive investments. The network addresses growing electricity demand and strengthens regional power trading capabilities. Two additional 150 kV lines will connect Chamberlain station to existing circuits between Rincón del Bonete and Palmatir wind park. The project also included expanding the Melo substation to facilitate the ring closure. Chinese ambassador Wang Gang characterized the contract signing as marking a new chapter in bilateral infrastructure cooperation between China and Uruguay. CMEC president Gang Yanshui committed to ensuring project quality and timely completion. The Northern Ring represents the largest local infrastructure undertaking by a Chinese company in Uruguay’s electrical sector.