Nexans will supply 875 km of 220 kV AERO-Z® high voltage, bare aluminum overhead lines in Peru

Paris, France – Nexans, the worldwide leader in the cable industry, has been awarded a contract worth approximately 6.2 million Euro by Red de Energia del Peru (REP) to supply 875 km of 220 kV AERO-Z® high voltage, bare aluminum, overhead conductors for a project to reinforce Peru’s electrical power infrastructure. REP, a subsidiary of the Columbia-based ISA Group (the largest electrical transmission company in North Latin America) will install the 455 mm² cross-section AERO-Z® conductors along Peru’s pacific coast to connect two substations, Paramonga and Chimbote.

The replacement of old electrical grids and the building of new 220 kV transmission lines with Nexans’ AERO-Z® conductors in northern Peru is being driven by the need to meet the growing demand for energy in the country’s industrial and mining region. REP is also constructing new electrical substations in order to interconnect a new gas-fired power station.

The most reliable and resistant conductor in demanding climate conditions

REP has been installing AERO-Z® since 2000 as the most reliable and resistant conductor for its local climate conditions, where overhead line installations are highly challenged by corrosion due to the proximity of the Pacific Ocean.

“Red de Energia del Peru S.A decided to use the Nexans AERO-Z® compact conductors, because of their very special technical characteristics, proven in our coastal power lines since they were first installed in 2000. The complete lack of rainfall in Peru’s coastal region means that the conductors are not washed naturally by rain as in most places, so the maintenance of a clean surface is of paramount importance. The smooth cylindrical outside surface of the AERO-Z® conductor makes it much easier to clean, avoiding build-up of dust and ensuring safe power transmission”, says Carlos Ariel Naranjo, General Director, Red de Energia del Peru. Patrick Barth, Nexans High Voltage business group Managing Director adds: “When confronted with tough local climate conditions, we have managed to solve corrosion problems and to overcome electrical transit losses, thanks to our HV high-end product, AERO-Z®”.

The AERO-Z® conductors will be manufactured in the Nexans Elouges plant in Belgium. The installation should begin in 2007 and the link should be operational by 2008.

Two AERO-Z® contracts signed in Peru in 2006

This is the second contract that Nexans has signed with REP in the past few months. The first contract, worth approximately 2.3 million Euro, concerned a 610 km AERO-Z® connection between San Juan and Chilca substations, south of Lima. Delivery should be completed in May 2007. The installation is due to be carried out from May to June 2007 and the connection should be operational in August 2007.

Technical information / AERO Z® : a reference for the infrastructure’s aerial lines

In line with its business development goals and strategic plan, Nexans is increasingly involved in producing high-end aerial conductors for infrastructure, such as AERO-Z®. AERO-Z® is one of the world’s most advanced conductors for high-voltage overhead lines. AERO-Z® conductors are fully locked, integrating one or more concentric layers of profiled wires in the form of a “Z”. The “Z” profile wires making up the outer belt fit firmly into each other, forming a hermetic casing, preventing internal corrosion. Moreover, dust and dirt are more easily eliminated, reducing line losses. This makes AERO-Z® of particular interest to all power producers and utilities planning to install lines in areas subject to extreme weather conditions.