Discover what Red Eléctrica is, what we do, and why we are the backbone of the electricity system in Spain and the ecological transition.
Electricity Interconnections
Electricity Interconnections
Interconnections are key instruments to promote a secure ecological transition both in Spain and in the European Union as a whole.
The Strategic Role of Electricity Interconnections
Interconnections are strategic infrastructures to ensure security of supply, the integration of renewables, the efficiency of the system, and the energy independence of the European Union.
Main Benefits
Interconnections in our System
The European Union advocates the development of a sufficiently interconnected internal energy market so that energy can flow freely between all Member States in a more robust, efficient, and decarbonised system. In this respect, the European Council set a target for member countries to reach an interconnection level of at least 10% by 2025 and 15% by 2030 with the rest of the European Union.
The Spanish electricity system is currently connected to the systems of France, Portugal, Andorra and Morocco. The exchange capacity of this interconnection is around 3 GW, which represents a low level of interconnection for the peninsula. The international interconnection level is calculated by comparing the electricity exchange capacity with other countries with the generation capacity or installed power.
Red Eléctrica is promoting new interconnections that will let us increase our level of exchange, be better connected, and bring about a more efficient, robust, and decarbonised system. Also, in last years we have made great progress in connecting the different national subsystems through electricity links between islands and links between islands and the mainland.
1.9%
Cross-border capacity ratio between Iberian Peninsula and rest of continental Europe
67.2%
Level of congestion in Spain-France interconnection in 2023 (% of hours during which the interconnection was congested in day-ahead market)
5.3%
Level of congestion in Spain-Portugal interconnection in 2023 (% of hours during which the interconnection was congested in day-ahead market)
National inter-system links are the most powerful tool for ensuring security of supply and bringing about the ecological transition of isolated systems in our country. They promote territorial cohesion and ensure equal access to a key service.
Notable Projects
1/4
First Mainland-Balearic Islands Link
Commissioned in 2012, this submarine link integrates the Balearic Islands into the mainland electricity system from Majorca, covering around 30% of the archipelago's total demand. Its commissioning was a milestone in achieving a safer, more efficient, and decarbonised system. Red Eléctrica is working to double these benefits through a second interconnection cable.
2/4
Majorca-Ibiza Link
This link enabled the union of the two existing electricity systems in the Balearic Islands, connecting them to the Iberian and European electricity markets through the connection with the mainland. The twin link posed a technological challenge as it was the longest and deepest AC link in the world when it was constructed.
3/4
Majorca-Menorca Link
Commissioned in 2020, it integrated the entire Balearic archipelago into a single interconnected electricity system. The submarine cable plays a substantial role in the energy transition process proposed for Menorca and the Balearic Islands as a whole.
4/4
New Ibiza-Formentera Link
This submarine interconnection covers total peak demand of the island of Formentera, reducing to the maximum its dependence on fossil fuels and making progress in the practical decarbonisation of electricity generation on the island.
Notable Projects
1/2
Lanzarote-Fuerteventura Link
A link that decisively improves the security and quality of the supply of Lanzarote and Fuerteventura and facilitates their progress in the energy transition. Its commissioning has demonstrated the need to continue advancing in these essential infrastructures for the Canary electricity system.
2/2
Tenerife-La Gomera Link
The future link, which we are in the process of developing, will be a turning point for the ecological transition of the Canary Islands. On the one hand, it provides the capacity to cover the island of La Gomera’s total demand, reducing its dependence on the Thermal Power Plant that currently supplies it. On the other hand, it allows the integration of a new renewable quota from La Gomera into the Tenerife system, which can be used to reduce the share of fossil fuels.
A Strategic Link for Ceuta
Red Eléctrica is working on a new link between Ceuta and the mainland. An umbilical cord that will integrate the autonomous city into the mainland electricity system, bringing the quality and security of Ceuta's supply into line with that of the rest of Spain. It will reduce dependence on the Ceuta Thermal Power Plant, which will also help decarbonise the Strait of Gibraltar, an area particularly sensitive to the effects of climate change.
International interconnections are the fundamental tool to end our country's energy isolation. They are strategic infrastructures that provide essential support for electricity systems based on inexhaustible natural energy sources, such as the sun or wind, as in the case of Spain. . Our mainland electricity system is currently connected to those of France, Portugal, and Morocco. But we need to continue increasing our exchange capacity in an increasingly renewable system.
Interconnections with France
New interconnection through the Bay of Biscay
This electricity interconnection between Spain and France will be the first submarine interconnection between both countries.
This project, which has been declared of common interest (CIP) by the European Commission, will double the exchange capacity between the two countries, increasing the security, stability, and quality of electricity supply of both systems and with the rest of Europe.
Interconnection in figures
Almost 400 km
Length of the interconnection
4 cables
Two for each link
2 x 1.000 MW
Transmitted power
Up to 5.000 MW
Increase in
interchange capacity
at the maximum
Spain-France Underground Electricity Interconnection
A pioneering, complex, and exceptional project that crosses the Pyrenees through an 8.5 km tunnel that doubled the electricity exchange capacity with France.
New Interconnection with Portugal
Interconnection with Portugal via the North
This new interconnection is added to existing ones to boost the reliability and guarantee of supply on both sides of the border, increasing the exchange capacity by about 1,000 MW, reaching a total of 4,200 MW from Spain to Portugal and 3,500 MW from Portugal to Spain.
Its commissioning will reduce electricity system costs and bring about a reduction in CO2 emissions of 150 kton per year. This link will also increase the use and integration of renewable energies in the region, boosting its economic and sustainable growth, and helping meet the objectives of the National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan (INECP) and the commitments acquired with the European Union.
This project is part of the PIC (Projects of Common Interest) list of the European Union.
Commercial Capacity
When there is vacant capacity on the lines that is not intended for security of supply, electricity trades are established on a daily basis, exploiting the differences in energy prices between the interconnected electricity systems. These exchanges allow electricity generation to be carried out with the most efficient technologies by causing energy to flow from where it is cheapest to where it is most expensive.
The trading capacity displayed in magnitudes of power (MW) reflects an indicative forecast of the most likely interchange capacity margins between systems and represents the combination of the constraints identified by the respective operators of both systems.
Rangos de capacidad de intercambio comercial (MW) durante el mes 12 de 2024. Previsión mensual
2500
3400
600
1000
1600
3600
1200
3800
600
600
900
900
France
Portugal
Morocco
| CONNECTION | MINIMUM | MAXIMUM |
|---|---|---|
| France - Spain | 2500 | 3400 |
| Spain - France | 600 | 1000 |
| Portugal - Spain | 1600 | 3600 |
| Spain - Portugal | 1200 | 3800 |
| Morocco - Spain | 600 | 600 |
| Spain - Morocco | 900 | 900 |
The latest in interconnections
News
The second Peninsula-Balearic Islands link begins public consultation to define a project based on consensus with society
An agreement has been reached by all administrations, Red Eléctrica, and residents regarding the second electrical link between the Peninsula and the Balearic Islands.
Work begins on the Electrical Interconnection Project between the Spanish Mainland and Ceuta
