Regulatory Enhancements for the Operational Sustainability of Transmission Systems in Severely Polluted Environments

This article proposes a set of regulatory enhancements aimed at ensuring the operational and economic sustainability of electric power transmission systems exposed to adverse environmental conditions—particularly in coastal and industrial regions characterized by high levels of atmospheric pollution. Using the case of the transmission utility ARGO, which faced recurrent outages in its lines due to the accumulation of contaminants on insulators, the study presents technical, scientific, and regulatory evidence supporting the need for a reformulation of normative and contractual requirements related to the bidding, operation, and maintenance of transmission assets in harsh environments.