AXIA Energia, Brazil: Modernizing Brazil’s Power Grid – A milestone in efficiency and reliability

AXIA Energia (formerly known as Eletrobras Chesf) and Siemens Energy are reshaping Brazil’s power transmission network. In one of the largest retrofit projects in the country’s history, more than 1,000 components across 40 substations have been replaced - modernizing aging infrastructure, strengthening transmission lines, and securing a safer, more efficient, and more reliable power supply for millions of people.

In 2020, when AXIA Energia decided to modernize its equipment, the situation had already become urgent. With components in service for more than 30 years, much of the infrastructure was obsolete. Without grid modernization, the risks were clear: technical failures, power interruptions, and severe financial penalties for non-compliance with availability standards.

For Siemens Energy, the challenge was vast. The project stretched across northeastern Brazil - an area six times larger than Germany - and involved dozens of substations scattered over thousands of kilometers. Delivering upgrades without disrupting power required complex logistical planning and the coordination of multiple teams across different sites.

Executing the AXIA Energia retrofit was no easy task. Northeastern Brazil covers 1,558,000 square kilometers, with more than 2,500 kilometers separating Siemens Energy’s factory in Jundiaí from the most distant substations. To keep electricity flowing during equipment replacements, Siemens Energy implemented innovative technical solutions, including interim arrangements. These measures allowed energized lines to remain in operation, by using a line bypass and assembling the equipment at the substation, along with the replacement of the hot equipment. The technical and design differentials were key to the project's success. By combining interventions to replace a larger number of equipment at once, the team achieved an optimized and more efficient process. 

With the project completed, the customer expectedan improved reliability and greater availability of the facilities, which translates into increased revenue. Financially, the project delivers multiple advantages: in addition to higher availability, it reduces operating costs by eliminating undesirable urgent and emergency corrective maintenance.

To meet the needs of AXIA Energia and other utilities, Siemens Energy provides a full portfolio of power transmission solutions, including:

• High-voltage circuit breakers, essential for protecting and controlling the grid.
• Disconnecting circuit breakers and switches, ensuring safety and reliability in operations.
• Consulting expertise, supporting utilities in planning and delivering modernization projects of this scale.

Bringing innovation to the transmission system is a strategic step that expands access to energy and boosts efficiency. The AXIA Energia retrofit has already delivered important results:

• Greater reliability: Modernized equipment has increased system availability, reducing the risk of interruptions and blackouts.
• Lower operating costs: Replacing old assets has cut the need for corrective and emergency maintenance, generating significant savings for AXIA Energia.
• Improved performance indicators: With new, more efficient equipment, operational performance has improved, raising the quality of service.
• Skilled workforce: A team of about 70 highly trained professionals ensures efficient execution and a safe, productive work environment.
• Expanded service portfolio: The project created new business opportunities, such as protection and control services, strengthening the long-term partnership.

Achieving all this required Siemens Energy to overcome major challenges.

The AXIA Energia retrofit project shows how modernizing infrastructure can transform energy transmission in Brazil. By focusing on efficiency, reliability, and innovation, Siemens Energy has emerged as a sector leader - ready to tackle future challenges and keep Brazil’s power flowing without interruption. The partnership with AXIA Energia not only strengthens today’s grid, but also sets a new benchmark of excellence for the energy sector.