For 40 years, we've been driving our country's economic and social progress. Four decades shaping Spain.
Four decades by your side
Four decades by your side
For 40 years, we've been driving our country's economic and social progress. Four decades shaping Spain.
The Spanish TSO since 1985
In 1985, the Official State Gazette announced the creation of a company that would become a cornerstone of Spain's social and economic development over the next four decades. A company dedicated to unifying electricity transmission and the operation of the national electricity system, ensuring that power reaches our homes, schools, hospitals, businesses, and factories safely and reliably. This was the birth of Red Eléctrica, a company that even today remains at the heart of our country's energy transition.
It was a pioneer from its inception—the world's first TSO. Our model has since been adopted by 22 of the 27 EU countries as the most efficient approach to ensure a structured evolution of infrastructure, in line with the nation’s economic and social needs. Today, we celebrate 40 years of shaping Spain by keeping you connected.
'Over these four decades, we have built the solid and stable foundation upon which one of the world's best electricity systems stands—a system that has driven Spain’s rapid modernisation, economic progress, and social well-being.'
Beatriz Corredor- Chairwoman of Redeia
'Red Eléctrica has always been driven by a great team. The 90 pioneers who founded the company in 1985 have passed on their commitment, effort, and dedication to public service—the very essence of Red Eléctrica—to the more than 1,300 professionals who make up the company today.'
Roberto García - Chief Executive Officer of Redeia
This is how we are celebrating
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About us
1/2
How we transmit electricity
We design, build, and maintain over 45,100 kilometres of lines and electrical infrastructure to ensure that electricity reaches every corner of our country.
2/2
How we operate
We work 24/7 to maintain a constant balance between electricity consumption and generation, ensuring that an increasing share of this energy comes from renewable sources.
How we have changed (1985-2025)
93
employees
1,300
employees
10,500
kilometres of lines
+45,600
kilometres of lines
25%
renewable energy generation in the Peninsula
59%
renewable energy generation in the Peninsula
40 years of milestones
These 40 years of history have been shaped by key milestones that have driven our company forward at the same pace as Spain. But behind every step, every idea, and every successful project, there has always been a great team.
1/13
Creation of Red Eléctrica
Red Eléctrica was founded on 29 January 1985. The company acquired key infrastructure from electric utilities to unify and optimise the management of the national electricity system. This is how it became the world's first TSO.
2/13
Creation of Cecre
The Renewable Energy Control Centre (Cecre), a pioneering centre and the first to be dedicated exclusively to the supervision and control of clean technologies, was set up in 2006.
3/13
Beyond the Peninsula
In December 2003, Red Eléctrica took on the responsibility of operating Spain's non-peninsular electricity systems: Balearic Islands, Canary Islands, Ceuta, and Melilla.
4/13
Connecting continents
In 1997, we successfully completed the first high-voltage submarine electricity link between Europe and Africa—the world’s first intercontinental power connection—marking an unprecedented achievement in engineering.
5/13
Project Barajas, the first underground line
In February 2004, we commissioned the first 400 kV underground power line in Madrid’s Barajas district, an innovative project that earned international recognition.
6/13
The birth of the Iberian electricity system
In 2004, the Governments of Spain and Portugal approved the creation of the Iberian Electricity Market (MIBEL) to coordinate the integration of both countries' electricity systems and plan the expansion of transmission grids.
7/13
A historic peak in energy demand
On 17 December 2007, at 6:53 PM, the peninsular electricity system recorded its highest-ever instantaneous demand, reaching 45,450 MW.
8/13
Purchase of island assets
In 2010, the process of acquiring the remaining transmission assets from distribution companies—initiated in 2002—was completed.
This purchase was a defining milestone in establishing Red Eléctrica as Spain’s sole transmission operator.
9/13
First Peninsula-Balearic Islands link
This project, a milestone in terms of its uniqueness and technical complexity, was completed in 2012 with the commissioning of the submarine cable between Valencia and Mallorca that same year. Today, it connects the Balearic system with the one on the Peninsula, strengthening supply security and advancing the decarbonisation of the island.
10/13
Spain-France underground electricity interconnection
A pioneering, complex, and exceptional project that crosses the Pyrenees through an 8.5-km tunnel that doubled the electricity exchange capacity with France.
11/13
Full integration of the Balearic Islands' electricity system
In 2014, construction began on the first cable of the Mallorca-Ibiza link, followed by a second cable in 2016. The full integration of the Balearic electricity system with the Peninsular system and European grids was thus completed.
12/13
Salto de Chira
This large-scale project, set to transform the Canary Islands' energy model, began construction in 2022. This reversible hydraulic pumping plant will play a crucial role in managing Gran Canaria's electricity system and driving the decarbonisation of the archipelago.
13/13
Annual renewable energy generation record
In 2024, Spain achieved its highest-ever share of electricity generation from renewable sources, with a total of 148,478 GWh.
Take a look back at our history!
40 years ago, we became the world's first company dedicated exclusively to electricity transmission and the operation of the electricity system. Since then, we've played a key role in many of the advancements and achievements for our country and its citizens.
