Red Eléctrica, the Redeia company responsible for electricity transmission and the operation of the national electricity system, has begun building works on the new underground line between the substations in Ibiza and Bossa. It is a 132 kV double-circuit line which will be rolled out in accordance with the project plan divided into different sections that was designed in coordination with the councils of Ibiza and Sant Josep and with the Ibiza Town Council (Consell de Eivissa) to ensure that it does not disrupt daily activities and mobility in both towns.

The new underground Ibiza-Bossa line, representing an investment of more than 10 million euros, is one of the projects included in the south axis plan. This line is intended to guarantee the power supply to the south and west of the island of Ibiza and is expected to be operational in 2025. The project is included in the Transmission Grid Development Plan 2021-2026.

The works will begin after the project has been declared of regional interest, the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) has been obtained from the Balearic Environmental Commission, and the green light has been given by the Ministry of Business, Employment and Energy through the approval of the required administrative authorisations.

Information about the works on the Ibiza-Bossa line

The route for the new line runs through the centre of the city of Ibiza (from camí dels Dominguets to Avenida de la Pau and Sant Jordi) and to a lesser extent that of Sant Josep (calle Avets), and has been divided into 7 sections, each one with different phases.

Work on each phase, including the roads where traffic will be temporarily affected, will be announced in advance in coordination with the local authorities.

This coordination with local institutions means that work on installing the new line will be compatible with existing services and facilities, and also with future works planned by the relevant administrations.

To ensure there is minimum impact on the island’s normal activities, Red Eléctrica plans to bore two horizontal channels along the length of the route to create a micro tunnel that will prevent interference with the strategic roads E-20 and E10/EI-600 that cross the route of the line. The first of these will be made at the outlet of the Ibiza substation, and the second at the inlet in Bossa.

Improving electricity transmission in the island’s south axis

In addition to this line, the works in the south axis include raising the capacity of all transmission lines in Ibiza (already carried out), a new 132 kV facility to accompany the existing 66 kV San Jorge substation (currently under construction and expected to be operational in 2024) and the installation of an energy storage battery, currently in the public consultation phase, at the existing Sant Antoni substation, which is expected to be operational in 2025.

The different projects that form part of the axis are vital to reinforce the safe supply of energy, especially during summer months, a strategic necessity for the island’s economy at the time when consumption is highest, and to provide a powerful boost to energy transition in Ibiza.

In this regard, the Ibiza-Bossa line and the increased capacity make the transmission grid more secure against potential energy contingencies.

Additionally, as an element that is fully integrated into the transmission grid, the battery will ensure a more secure supply and will maximise the current contribution from the Mallorca-Ibiza link (from 100 to 190 MW). It will also facilitate better integration of renewable energy, with all the associated benefits for energy transition -reduced use of locally generated thermal power, the associated emission, and system costs-.

All these works constitute a more sustainable alternative to the previous Es Fornàs project: They avoid the need to install a longer double-circuit overhead line, as well as to build a new 132 kV substation in Sant Antoni. The south axis meets the demands and needs of local and regional institutions in Ibiza and the Balearic Islands, and their communities as a whole.