Brazil, Goiás: Construction has officially commenced on the Silvânia converter station in Goiás, marking a key development in Brazil’s largest ultra-high voltage direct current (UHVDC) transmission initiative to date.
The infrastructure project is backed by State Grid Brazil Holding, a subsidiary of the State Grid Corporation of China. It comprises 1,468 km of ±800 kV UHVDC transmission lines, converter stations at both ends, and supporting 500 kV AC infrastructure. It will carry up to 5,000 MW of electricity from Brazil’s renewable-rich Northeast and North regions to major consumption centres, including Brasília.
Once operational, the system will supply clean energy to an estimated 12 million residents across the states of Maranhão, Tocantins, and Goiás. Designed to strengthen grid reliability and advance the integration of solar, wind, and hydro resources, the project aligns with Brazil’s decarbonisation targets.
Silvânia’s converter station represents the third UHVDC venture in Brazil undertaken by State Grid Corporation of China, following the Belo Monte I and II projects. Exclusive development rights were secured in December 2023, with the concession agreement signed with Brazil’s electricity regulator, ANEEL, in April 2024. Environmental approvals cleared the path for ground works to begin in June.
Commissioning is expected in 2029, followed by a 30-year operational concession.
UHVDC technology, extensively deployed in China, is gaining momentum globally as a high-capacity, long-distance solution for energy transmission that reduces losses and environmental footprint.
Source: T&D World
