The Spanish Ministry for Ecological Transition (MITECO) has today published in the Spanish Official State Gazette (BOE) the Ministerial Order that kicks off the draft process of the new electricity transmission grid infrastructure planning for the 2021-2026 horizon. This new planning will be an instrument of special relevance in the achievement of the objectives established in the Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) for the period 2021-2030, submitted to the European Commission for processing and whose approval is expected to place on 1 January 2020

Said NECP represents the roadmap up to 2030 of the strategy defined by the European Commission regarding energy and climate change matters, having set the goal for 2050 of a decarbonized European society and an energy supply based entirely on renewable energy.

This planning will also be an essential tool for the successful consolidation of the Internal Energy Market in Europe through the commissioning of new cross-border interconnections.

Following the publication of Order TEC/212/2019, of February 25, which initiates the procedure to submit proposals for the development of the electricity transmission grid for the 2026 Horizon, Red Eléctrica de España, as operator of the electricity system, has a period of three months to receive proposals for the development of the transmission grid from electricity sector actors, autonomous communities, the autonomous cities of Ceuta and Melilla and the promoters of new electricity generation projects.

Among the principles defined for the drafting of the new planning noteworthy is the fulfilment of commitments on energy and climate that are specified at the national level in the NECP 2021-2030, as well as the goal to continue maximizing the integration of renewable energy into the electricity system and enable the evacuation of renewables in areas with high potential for their development, if and when it is environmentally feasible. In addition, the improvement and updating of the existing grid and the use of new technologies will be a priority. Finally, economic efficiency, reduction of technical constraints and transmission grid losses will be taken into account; and all whilst guaranteeing the security of supply.

The initial proposal for the transmission grid development shall include a justification report for each new infrastructure that sets out its contribution to the principles defined in the planning, as well as any development alternatives and the reasons that support the option chosen as optimal for the electricity system. This will guarantee that proposals for new facilities cannot be carried out unless they are accompanied by a positive cost/benefit analysis.

The process for the preparation of the electricity transmission grid planning is defined as a transparent and participatory process which involves all individuals interested in the development of the transmission grid and society at large, represented by the autonomous communities, through the establishment of procedures for the participation of all possible stakeholders.