A Reconductoring Approach for Efficient Long-Term Planning of the Ecuadorian Power Grid

Since 2023, Ecuador has faced significant challenges in the energy sector due to regional droughts impacting hydroelectric capacity and increasing reliance on energy imports. In this context, planning the expansion of the infrastructure that generates and transmits electricity to end consumers should focus on strategies that optimize the use of available resources. This paper presents a Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP) approach for multistage combined electricity generation and transmission planning (GTEP). The model employs a reconductoring strategy for existing 230 kV transmission lines, integrating higher-capacity conductors. The practicality and effectiveness of the model are validated through a case study of Ecuador's power system, which features a 21-bus system. The results confirm that the model provides cost-efficient solutions, with a projected investment of $4417.40 MUSD to diversify energy sources and reduce reliance on imports, a crucial step towards achieving Ecuador's energy independence by 2030.