The 400 kilovolt (kV) Mezquita-PLATEA electricity line has received prior administrative approval from the Directorate General for Energy Policy and Mines of the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge. This will enable previous works to be undertaken in the next few days prior to the construction of this infrastructure in the province of Teruel. This electricity line is important as it will connect up to the new 400 kV PLATEA substation being built in the vicinity of the capital, as well as for supplying electricity to the Sagunto-Teruel-Zaragoza railway corridor and supporting the electricity supply in the area.

This initial authorisation will be followed by the presentation of the construction project for this double-circuit route promoted by Red Eléctrica (a subsidiary of Redeia responsible for electricity transmission and the operation of the national electricity system). With a total length of 56.8 kilometres, this line will connect the substations of Mezquita, in the municipality of Mezquita de Jarque, and PLATEA, in the municipality of Teruel. The route of the double-circuit line will run through the municipalities of Cuevas de Almudén, Jarque de la Val, Hinojosa de Jarque, Camarillas, Aguilar de Alfambra, Ababuj, El Pobo, Escorihuela, Alfambra, Peralejos, Cuevas Labradas and Celadas, all located in the province of Teruel.

The new 400 kV Mezquita-PLATEA line, which has received a favourable environmental impact statement, will involve an investment of €35.5 million and is part of the Mezquita-PLATEA-Requena axis, included in the Electricity Transmission Grid Planning for 2021-2026, approved last year by the Spanish Government and which is binding for Red Eléctrica. This axis will shorten train travel times and will improve access to the seaport of Sagunto for the industries located in Aragón, while improving electricity supply in the area around the capital of Teruel and in its industrial area.

The 2021-2026 Transmission Grid Planning entails investments in the three provinces of Aragón that will exceed €300 million and will help meet new industrial demand, electrify the railway axes, bolster the security of supply and integrate more renewable generation. This investment includes the construction of the new 220 kV Calatorao substation and the 400 kV Almendrales substation in Mequinenza. Furthermore, the plan encompasses the enlargement of the 400 kV and 220 kV Peñaflor substations, and also the enlargement of the following 220 kV substations: El Espartal, Híjar, Cinca, Esquedas, Calamocha and Los Vientos.  

Similarly, a 220 kV line between Escatrón (Zaragoza) and La Selva (Tarragona) is to be replaced by a new double circuit line, one at 400 kV and the other at 220 kV. This replacement will be carried out at the same time that the power transmission capacity of two other 400 kV lines running parallel to this route is increased.