New Spain-Portugal electricity interconnection inaugurated

The interconnector, classified as a ‘project of common interest’, runs from Beariz to Fontefría in northwest Spain and across the border to Ponte de Lima and on to Vila Nova de Famalicão in northern Portugal.

With a total extent of 166km – 53km in Spain and 113km in Portugal – the 400kV AC double circuit line increases the cross-border electricity capacity to 4,200MW from Spain to Portugal and 3.500MW from Portugal to Spain.

As such it is marks a significant reinforcement of both systems and facilitates the integration of an estimated additional 281GWh per year of renewable capacity, with the consequent reduction of CO₂ emissions by 113,000t per year.

Rodrigo Costa, Chairman of Portuguese TSO REN, said the new interconnector – the tenth between the two countries – is extremely important for the Iberian Peninsula, as it has a very positive economic impact on both.

“The very high voltage electricity interconnectors between Portugal and Spain contribute to greater security for both systems and to the energy transition we aim to achieve in both countries."

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Beatriz Corredor, President of Spanish TSO Red Eléctrica’s parent company Redeia, said the interconnection is a clear example of what can be achieved when combining technical cooperation and institutional collaboration at all levels.

“From the European impetus to joint work between governments, regional and local authorities and, above all, close dialogue with the local communities, it was a project built on listening, municipality by municipality, mountain range by mountain range and, quite literally, house by house."

An important aspect of the project highlighted by REN was the selection of the border crossing point – between Viana do Castelo in the municipality of Melgaço and Pontevedra in Arbo – which was chosen between the two TSOs based on sustainability, environmental, social and technical feasibility criteria, while ensuring compliance with the legislation of both countries.

Thus the connection point opted for was the narrower crossing of the Minho River to minimise the impact not only on the river but also the surrounding environment.

On the Portuguese side, the investment amounted to more than €70 million, of which €44 million corresponded to the construction of the new line and €26 million to the construction of the Ponte de Lima substation, in service since 5 December.

Red Eléctrica, with the financial support of the European Investment Bank, has made an investment of €57.6 million for the construction of the line and substations on the Spanish side of the interconnection, with the figure exceeding €70 million if the project's support infrastructures are considered. 

The new interconnection also marks a further step towards achieving the EU’s 15% electricity interconnection target by 2030 and the completion of the energy union.

Said EU Commissioner for Energy and Housing, Dan Jørgensen: “I very much welcome the inauguration of this key energy link between Spain and Portugal. Cross-border electricity interconnectors are key to integrate more renewables in our system and therefore lower energy prices. A stronger European Union must be based on a strong internal electricity market.”

Local communities

Additional spinoffs are in line for local communities.

In Portugal, the project is also part of an approach focused on local engagement and creating value for the regions it serves, with local authorities able to benefit from support aimed at implementing projects of public interest that have a positive impact on communities.

In Spain, as part of Redeia's strategy collaboration agreements were signed with nine local authorities, through which the company is to invest around €1.4 million in initiatives tailored to the needs of each, in areas such as energy efficiency heritage, refurbishment of social housing in accordance with energy efficiency criteria and training in digital skills.

A further benefit for Galicia is that the connection is intended in the future to serve as a feed-in point for the traction substations along the Vigo–Coruña railway line.