The electricity grid follows a planning model that ensures orderly and coherent infrastructure development, in line with the country’s energy policy and its economic and social needs. It is developed and managed as a regulated natural monopoly, always considering the costs and benefits it provides to society as a whole.

The model of a single transmission operator integrated with the system operator, established in 1985 by Red Eléctrica, has been adopted by 22 of the 27 countries in the European Union. The model guarantees the neutrality of electricity transmission facilities by providing equal service to all sector actors. 

The Electricity Sector Act stipulates that Red Eléctrica acts as the sole transmission operator on an exclusive basis, implementing the development of the transmission grid in accordance with the planning approved by the national government after it has been passed by the Congress of Deputies. 

Transmission Grid Planning is regularly updated according to a procedure that allows all stakeholders, including distribution network operators, to participate by presenting their needs to be integrated into the process. 

This planning must adhere to the electricity system's principles of economic and financial sustainability, ensuring the lowest cost for consumers, and is binding for Red Eléctrica, which guarantees its development even during periods of more restrictive regulation. 

The implementation of the current 2021-2026 plan, approved in March 2022, is proceeding on schedule, achieving 50% completion this year, two years before the end of the reference period. To this end, the company increased its investment pace by 55% in 2023, effectively tripling the volume of investment over the last two years, and projections suggest record figures will be reached this year and in the coming years. All of this underscores Red Eléctrica’s commitment to developing the grids necessary for energy transition, based on the independence granted to the it by legislation. Red Eléctrica is a cornerstone of reliability for the system.

The Government has already initiated a new forward planning cycle for the 2025-2030 period to incorporate needs arising from the accelerated energy transition process.

Additionally, the government has just initiated a public consultation to review regulation of the most appropriate investment volume for these infrastructures. This consultation is open until 3 July, and all interested parties are invited to participate.