The President of the Xunta de Galicia, Alfonso Rueda, and Beatriz Corredor, the Chair of Redeia -Red Eléctrica's parent company-, have held a meeting in Santiago de Compostela with the aim of analysing the new electricity transmission infrastructures, which are strategic for Galicia. The region’s main projects are aimed at boosting industry, developing new rail axes, further integrating renewable energies, and enhancing the quality and security of supply. In this regard, the project for the interconnection with Portugal through the north is of particular note.

At the meeting, the Chair of Redeia described the new projects included in the changes to the 2021-2026 Plan, recently approved by the Council of Ministers. In this respect, investments aimed at boosting industry and its electrification are notable levers to boost the region’s economy and create jobs in line with the ecological transition. Thus, among other projects, the development of the Nuevo Vigo 220 kV substation with an input/output to the Atios-Pazos de Borbén line and the new Naraio 400 kV substation with a connection to Maciñeira are envisaged. Two infrastructures demanded by the territory and essential to make important industrial projects viable in the area around Vigo and Ferrol, in which Red Eléctrica will invest over 90 million euros.

Changes to the plan also include projects for new reversible pumping facilities, essential for the renewable transformation of the Galician electricity system. With the new Maciñeira 400 kV substation and an input/output to the Boimente-Mesón do Vento line, and the extension of the Viana 400 kV substation, Red Eléctrica will enable the integration into the system of two large reversible storage projects in Galicia, giving vital support to pumped storage initiatives in the region.

The Chair of REDEIA, Beatriz Corredor, highlighted "the strategic nature of such investments for Galicia and the commitment of Red Eléctrica to execute them with agility and transparency, in partnership with the relevant institutions, to strengthen infrastructure that will boost economic competitiveness, rail transport and the decarbonisation of the electricity system in the region".

Such investments are on top of those already approved in the 2021-2026 Plan and whose status the Chair of Redeia was able to describe to the Galician president during the meeting, emphasising the high level of development thereof, such as the Beariz substation, recently completed, or the Fontefría substation, whose construction is already underway, and which will serve the Atlantic High Speed Axis, which will link Ourense, Vigo, Lugo and A Coruña, along with the future substation of Abegondo.

Partnerships for a positive impact on society

At the meeting, both the president of Galicia and the Chair of Redeia agreed on the need to carry out such developments hand in hand with society, based on consensus and respect for the environment, generating a shared benefit with the region. 

In this respect, they reviewed some of the actions already carried out by Redeia in Galicia, such as the Cyber-volunteers programme, which has trained over 1,000 people in rural areas in new technological and digital skills. 

Likewise, some of the nine agreements signed with different municipalities to improve public facilities and local services were analysed, with projects for self-consumption, efficient lighting or sustainable mobility, among other areas linked to sustainability, energy efficiency and ecological transition. All in all, Red Eléctrica has committed an investment to these projects of more than 650,000 euros that will benefit more than 21,000 inhabitants.

Corredor also expressed her willingness to work alongside the regional and local authorities to continue developing joint projects that will benefit Galician society within the framework of a comprehensive impact strategy.