Morro do Chapéu Project Reaches Key Milestone As 500 kV Medeiros Neto II–João Neiva 2 Line Begins Operation

The Morro do Chapéu Project has reached an important milestone in its mission to strengthen Brazil’s National Interconnected System (SIN) and support the growth of renewable energy in the northern and northeastern regions of the country. This progress comes with the start of operations of the 500 kV Medeiros Neto II – João Neiva 2 C1 Transmission Line, a new infrastructure segment that stretches 283 km and represents an investment of about R$ 480 million. Its completion marks the final stage of the installations planned for Lot 2 of Transmission Auction No. 1/2020.

The transmission works in this lot were designed to handle the increasing flow of electricity being generated in the region, particularly from new wind and solar power plants. As renewable capacity continues to expand, the transmission system must be upgraded to carry this additional energy safely and efficiently. This new structure also plays a key role in improving the reliability of the electricity supply and reducing the chances of voltage instability or emergency load reductions in southern Bahia during unexpected events.

Overall, the Morro do Chapéu Project includes four major transmission lines totaling 1,061 km, along with a new substation offering an extra 300 MVA of capacity and the installation of a synchronous compensator to support system stability. These developments are spread across the states of Bahia, Minas Gerais, and Espírito Santo, and form part of the broader investment commitments under the New Growth Acceleration Program (Novo PAC), which allocates approximately R$ 2 billion to this set of projects.

The newly completed 500 kV line links the Medeiros Neto II substation in Bahia to the João Neiva 2 substation in Espírito Santo, creating a stronger and more resilient transmission corridor between the regions. With this connection now in operation, Brazil’s electricity grid gains greater stability and better conditions to support sustainable growth, ensuring that the expanding renewable energy sector can continue to integrate smoothly into the national system.