Red Eléctrica, the Redeia subsidiary responsible for electricity operation and transmission in Spain, will begin expansion works on the 132 kV Dragonera and Mercadal substations in Menorca on 18 November. The aim is to facilitate the connection of photovoltaic farms that have already secured access and connection rights to the grid at these substations. 

The construction project, which requires modifications to the existing grid in both cases, involves the construction of two output bays for the evacuation of renewable generation (EVRE). The first phase will consist of earthworks, followed by civil works and, finally, assembly.

Red Eléctrica aims to complete the expansion of the Dragonera substation and have the EVRE bay in operation by the summer of 2025. For the Mercadal substation, the plan is for the renewable evacuation bay to be ready and completed before the summer, in line with the needs of participating stakeholders.

As renewable evacuation bay construction begins, Red Eléctrica is also making progress on the battery project at the Mercadal substation and has already awarded NHOA Energy the supply contract. The batteries will be the largest SATA (Storage as Transmission Asset) energy storage system in the southern European Union and the first of their kind to be built in Spain.

By awarding this contract, Red Eléctrica will be able to start construction on the battery project at the 132 kV Mercadal substation as soon as the final administrative permits are obtained, expected by the end of this year.

The batteries to be installed at the Mercadal substation will be fully integrated into the Transmission Grid to strengthen supply security in Menorca and maximise the contribution of the current and future link with Mallorca.