The National Electricity Administration (ANDE) is renewing its fleet of pickup trucks, with the addition of 50 new vehicles, as well as three portable hydro-elevators and other equipment. The aim is to strengthen the response capacity and optimise the maintenance and reinforcement tasks of the Paraguayan electrical system.
The award ceremony took place on Tuesday at the López Palace and was attended by the Head of State, Santiago Peña, among other authorities.
On the occasion, ANDE President Félix Sosa highlighted that the objective is to industrialise energy to guarantee the well-being of citizens. In this context, he emphasised that the only way to achieve this is by strengthening the Paraguayan electrical system.
To this end, ANDE is promoting strategic projects for the next 10 years in relation to the distribution system and with a projection of 20 years in relation to other sources of energy generation.
He mentioned that the institution currently has works in progress worth US$592 million, of which US$304 million are destined for the area of transmission and new substations.
Another US$227 million dollars will be allocated to the distribution area and US$61.5 million dollars to the technological incorporation area.
Sosa estimates that the works will be operational in approximately two years. “Several of them are already going into operation this summer,” he said.
Millions invested into the Paraguayan national electricity grid
The 50 new Nissan vehicles were acquired through Contract No. 9596/2024, signed with the company Cuevas Hermanos SA, as part of the National Public Tender ANDE No. 1843/2024, and includes 26 diesel pickup trucks, single cabin, 4×4; 20 pickup trucks, double cabin, 4×2; and 4 pickup trucks, double cabin, 4×4.
“We are going to replace the existing vehicles. We have initially auctioned off 100 vehicles to obtain authorisation from the Economic Team to purchase these new 50 vehicles. We have another authorisation after this auction to be able to replace the others,” he explained.
In this regard, he said that the operational capacity has been reinforced with the acquisition of three portable Zetla brand hydroelevators. These equipments were acquired within the framework of Contract No. 9564/2024 signed with Oleo Hidráulica SA, corresponding to the National Public Tender ANDE No. 1823/2024.
With modern technology and a portable design, these hydroelevators seek to optimise the maintenance of electrical stations and substations throughout the country, guaranteeing greater safety and efficiency, which will directly impact the quality of the electrical service provided to citizens.
The total investment amounts to more than 14.172 billion guaraníes, according to data revealed by the head of the state-owned company.
On the other hand, he thanked President Peña for his ongoing support to strengthen the Paraguayan electrical system. “I thank my colleagues at ANDE for making a huge effort, for working as a team. We will continue to carry out electrical infrastructure works to use our energy for the development of the country,” he concluded.
Let’s all hope for fewer power cuts this January!
