The Government of Asturias and Red Eléctrica are making progress in the design and planning of the dismantling of the overhead power transmission line connecting Lada with the Palencia town of Velilla.

Officials from the Department of Ecological Transition, Industry, and Economic Development, along with representatives from Spain’s electricity system operator and transmission provider, have held meetings in recent weeks. The goal of these meetings was to finalise plans for the removal of the towers and foundations of a 66.04-kilometre line that runs through the provinces of Asturias, León, and Palencia.

The segment in Asturias is the longest. It measures 53.32 kilometres and crosses the towns of Langreo, Mieres, San Martín del Rey Aurelio, Laviana, Sobrescobio, and Caso. The portion through León and Palencia spans 13.72 kilometres.

The Principality and Red Eléctrica have already initiated conversations with city councils to assess the needs for conducting the dismantling work. These meetings have also involved the determination of access routes to the areas where the line’s towers and structures are located.

The Lada-Velilla 400 kV high-voltage line was authorised and declared to be of public utility in 1986. However, it never entered into operation due to circumstances beyond the control of both the Principality and Red Eléctrica. The forthcoming dismantling, a longstanding request from the Government of Asturias, is the result of close collaboration between the regional government and the company. 

Although the dismantling of such infrastructure is not typically included in the current Electricity Transmission Grid Planning, Red Eléctrica has recognised the unique circumstances of this case and has demonstrated its commitment to Asturias by agreeing to execute the dismantling with the utmost environmental consideration and efficiency. In fact, the project has already obtained the required favourable environmental impact report and all necessary authorisations.