Red Eléctrica, the Redeia company responsible for electricity transmission and the operation of the national electricity system, has commissioned the new 220 kV underground electricity line between the Cacicedo and Astillero substations. This infrastructure is essential to guarantee the quality and security of supply in the Santander Bay area, as well as to contribute to the sustainable development of the region's main industrial, economic and social hub.

The President of Cantabria, Miguel Ángel Revilla, the Regional Delegate for the Government, Ainoa Quiñones, and the Chairwoman of Redeia, Beatriz Corredor, today inaugurated the new line at a ceremony at the Cacicedo electricity substation (Camargo), which was also renovated as part of the project.

Miguel Ángel Revilla commended the investment made by the company to improve the electricity service in Cantabria and highlighted the efforts made in order to make it possible in a way that both respects the environment and ensures the least possible impact on the environment.

The Regional Delegate for the Government in Cantabria, Ainoa Quiñones, highlighted the importance of this action by Red Eléctrica, not only for its high investment, €28 million, but also for its mission, which is “to cover the electricity needs of the entire area around Santander Bay and guarantee the quality of service for the industry that is concentrated in this area”. Therefore, she added, “this is a very important infrastructure for citizens and companies”.

For her part, the Chairwoman of Redeia, Beatriz Corredor, highlighted “the extraordinary effort made by Red Eléctrica to find a sustainable and environmentally friendly solution; a solution that, thanks to the company’s firm and decisive commitment to cutting-edge technology, ensured the minimum impact possible”. She also thanked “all the institutions for their willingness and collaboration to make possible an essential project for industry in Santander and that will promote industrial growth and job creation”.

A solution that had the full consensus of all parties and ensured the minimum impact

Red Eléctrica has invested €28 million in this 220 kV underground line and in the renovation of the Cacidedo substation, using a gas insulated substation (GIS) design, which allows a compact solution to be integrated into a building, reducing the space it occupies while at the same time favouring the integration of the substation into landscape.

The new line has a total length of 8.1 km, running underground between the municipalities of Astillero (for a length of 2.4 km) and Camargo (for a length of 5.7 km). The choice of the route is the result of a process that has involved listening to the concerns of the stakeholders in the territory, in which a consensual solution n has been sought, incorporating proposals made by the local councils and individuals during the public information and consultation processes. The route chosen was the best option from a technical, social and environmental point of view and also the one with the lowest visual impact.

Its execution has been carried out by adapting the technical solution to the existing orography and to the specific needs of each site. In addition, the areas affected by the installation work for the underground line have been restored and improvements to the road surfaces, roadways and surrounding elements have been carried out.