ONS participation in the transmission system project of Madeira River shall comprise several steps, from the approval of compliance of basic projects of the installations to the operational requirements established in the bidding documents, until the stage of its entry into commercial operation, scheduled for April 2012 (bipole 1) and April 2013 (bipole 2).

The first step, in which the compliance of the basic projects of the installations with the requirements established in the bidding documents is being analyzed, started in 2009 and it has a fundamental importance to the project because all the conditions for the full and perfect performance of the system will be guaranteed. This step will also ensure the proper integration to the BIPS of the installations that comprise the various phases of the project.

During 2009, ONS was involved in various activities related to the integration of this new development, including:

• Compliance of basic projects of the installations to the operational requirements established in the bidding documents. ONS has started the analysis of this documentation, involving approximately 550 documents, including reports of studies, project designs, equipment characteristics, definition of protection systems, command and control system, supervision and telecommunications. Several system clarification meetings have been held with the participation of EPE, ANEEL, transmission companies and manufacturers involved.
• Integration of Santo Antonio and Jirau plants: The connection requirements of Santo Antonio and Jirau plants have been consolidated.
• Training of personnel and computer tools: in 2009, the first of three trainings in direct current transmission established in the transmission Bidding Documents was provided. This training was delivered by ABB to a team from ONS / EPE / ANEEL and had duration of 40 hours.

It is also important to mention the elaboration, in 2009, of technical requirements proposals to support the preparation of bidding documents for transmission installations regarding the Auctions 001/09 and 005/09, in a total of 20 lots, and the issuance of 21 Compliance Analysis Reports of basic projects.