Portos do Paraná Invests USD 15.6 Million in New Electrical Substation

Portos do Paraná invested R$ 81.3 million (USD 15.6 million) in the construction of a substation with an installed capacity of 60 megawatts (MW) and a 138 kilovolt (kV) connection to expand and modernize the electrical distribution system at the docks of the Port of Paranaguá.

This structure will multiply the port complex's electricity supply capacity by twelve. Currently, the available capacity is 5 MW.

The project's capacity is equivalent to the energy consumption of between 30,000 and 60,000 households, considering an average monthly consumption of between 150 and 250 kilowatt-hours (kWh).

"The new substation was planned to structure the Port of Paranaguá for the next 30 years, taking into account future expansions such as Piers T and F," highlighted the general director of Portos do Paraná, Luiz Fernando García.

The ETR consortium, winner of the tender and awarded the contract, will have two years to complete the project and put the substation into operation.

In addition to expanding the available energy capacity, the project will increase the reliability of the distribution system throughout the port area. The electrical grid will be segmented, allowing for maintenance tasks and localized power outages without compromising the continuity of port operations.

"This segmentation will allow for more efficient maintenance and greater system reliability. Furthermore, we will have more precise monitoring, which will enable tracking indicators such as consumption, voltage, power, and electrical current," explained Normando Marcondes, general maintenance director of Portos do Paraná.

The main advantage of the project is the direct connection to Copel's main substation, eliminating the need for supply through intermediate substations. This will require adjustments to the electrical grid, including the installation of new poles along approximately four kilometers of urban roads.

For the implementation of these structures, Portos do Paraná has the support of the Municipality of Paranaguá, which has already indicated its authorization for the use of the public spaces necessary for the execution of the work.

According to the municipal secretary of Urban Planning, Flávia Hacke, the project is strategic for both the city and the port and is advancing through the necessary procedures for its execution. "With all the clarifications provided during the public hearing to residents and the population affected by the project, we have already been able to proceed with the issuance of the certificate," said Hacke.

The substation will be built in an area exceeding 800 square meters, in a space previously occupied by Warehouse 10 (AZ-10), between Gates 4 and 5 of the Port of Paranaguá.

The majority of the resources—equivalent to 71% of the total budget—will be allocated to equipment purchases. In total, the distribution network will consist of approximately 7.2 kilometers of medium voltage (13.8 kV) circuits, deployed through underground infrastructure along the outer area of the port zone.