Tractebel Commissions Madeira River Complex's First Transmission Line

On November 26th, 2013, the first transmission line of the Madeira River Complex, also known as Linhão do Madeira was placed into commercial operation.

This line crosses Brazil from north to southeast, connecting the Porto Velho Collector Substation in the state of Rondônia to the Araraquara-2 Substation in the state of São Paulo.

With its 2.385 kilometers, it is the world's longest High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) transmission line at ±600 kVCC voltage. LEME Engenharia, the Brazilian subsidiary of Tractebel Engineering, has performed the civil and the electromechanical detailed design studies for 609 kilometers of this magnificent transmission line.

Constructed by the consortium Interligação Elétrica do Madeira (IE Madeira), this transmission line represents a total investment of close to R$ 2.2 billion. The line was completed in 24 months.

Flavio Campos, CEO of LEME Engenharia and Tractebel Engineering Latin America, stated that this was an experience of great importance to the company, as an increasing number of new direct current transmission systems will be developed in Brazil. HVDC is the most commonly used type for long-distance systems and large power blocks. Mr. Campos adds: "Thanks to the excellent results achieved in the Linhão do Madeira project that could rely on our expertise in highly complex electrical systems, we have received new proposals for similar contracts. Thus, LEME Engenharia reaffirms its leadership in this specia lised market."

Seven times weight of Eiffel tower
To support the more than 19.000 kilometers of conductor cables, 5.000 towers were used, with heights up to 87 m, totaling about 60.000 tons of steel - the equivalent of more than seven times the weight of the Eiffel tower, LEME Engenharia's project manager Hudson Wagner says.

The first of the two Madeira System transmission lines will transmit the power of 3.150 MW generated by the Santo Antônio and Jirau Hydropower Plants both located on the banks of the Madeira River in state of Rondônia.