Santiago de Chile, November 21 (EFE) .- President Michelle Bachelet launched today the new national electricity system that will be able to supply 97% of the Chilean population with energy and that It extends for 3,100 kilometers, one of the most extensive in the region.

"It is, without doubt, the largest electric transmission work in the history of Chile and the most complex technically, "stressed the president who came to the Control Center of the National Electric Coordinator, along with the Minister of Energy, Andrés Rebolledo.

The new electrical system national highway extends for 3,100 kilometers, from Arica, in the extreme north of Chile, to Chiloé, in the south, supplying electricity to more than 97% of the population national.

It will have an installed capacity of approximately 24,000 megawatts and a demand of 11,000 megawatts, which represents 99% of the installed generation capacity of the country. the result of the Interconnection of the Central Interconnected Systems (SIC) and the Great North (SING).

"Our country has finished with the absurd situation of having an electrical system in the Norte Grande, and another different system between Taltal and Chiloé. prices and inefficiency, "said President Bachelet.

Construction began in August 2015, with an investment of 700 million dollars.

Up to now, austral nation, of about 17 million inhabitants, there were two large interconnected systems: the SING (Arica to Antofagasta) and the SIC (Taltal to the big island Chiloé).

To these are added the Electric System of Aysén and the Electrical System of Magallanes. electric.

"It is a fact that interconnection is an injection for our growth: it will increase the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), both short and long term. expansion of 500 million dollars in the first case and 1,600 million dollars in the second case, "said Bachelet.

These figures correspond to a decrease in the costs of the electrical system and a projection of reduction of prices associated with greater competition and reduction of risks in the market.

The new system will allow a market more efficient electricity, with security of supply, more sustainable and, above all, with lower costs.

The Minister of Energy, Andrés Rebolledo, highlighted the implementation of the new national electric system, pointing out that it is the most important contribution to the energy sector in recent decades.

"Today, it is a historic day for the national electricity system. We are fulfilling a longing, a dream of more than 20 years of this country, since for the first time we will have a unique system of electrical transmission from Arica to Chiloé ", He said.

He said that as of this Tuesday, Chile has a safer, more resistant and more competitive electrical system "which means that energy prices continue to fall and reach all households in the country, "said the authority.