Discover what Red Eléctrica is, what we do, and why we are the backbone of the electricity system in Spain and the ecological transition.
Our infraestructures
Our infraestructures
We provide the transportation network with the necessary infrastructure to transport high-voltage electrical energy in the most efficient way and with the highest level of quality.
A robust, meshed, and secure grid
Red Eléctrica’s transmission grid comprises a set of facilities that form a meshed system so that electricity is accessible to the entire community. Since generation centres and demand points are not located in the same place, a robust grid is needed to connect the territory, transmit energy efficiently and safely, and deliver it where needed.
Types of infrastructure
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Sub-stations
These are the installations that act as nodes in the transmission grid, where several electrical circuits converge, and where the necessary elements for their operation and protection are located.
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Overhead lines
Overhead electric lines carry alternating current. They consist mainly of conductors (cables transmitting electricity), ground wires, insulator strings, and towers (including foundations and grounding).
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Submarine lines
These lines connect electrical systems, such as those of islands or neighbouring countries. Different types of cables are used for these lines. The most common are dry-type three-core cables, where the three phases of the cable are grouped within a single sheath, so a single cable houses the entire electrical circuit. Each of the three phases includes the conductor, insulation, screen, and sheath.
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Underground lines
Underground lines consist of insulated cables, their joints and terminals, and the grounding system of the screens.
How they are built and maintained
We are the promoters of the construction works of the electricity transmission network facilities that are included in the Electrical Planning and we are responsible for putting them into service in a sustainable way and always with the focus on the safety and health of people.
Development
Electrical Planning is the regulatory instrument that establishes the development needs of the electricity transmission network. Specifically, through Planning 2021-26, existing infrastructures are already being reinforced and new facilities are being promoted that will allow Spain to continue advancing on the path of ecological transition with a guarantee of supply, having among its maxims the environmental protection and economic efficiency of the electrical system.
Red Eléctrica has multidisciplinary teams that design the facilities, considering the necessary technical and regulatory variables from a life cycle perspective. From the early stages of defining low-impact lanes and site selection, it is always considered that the infrastructure, in addition to fulfilling its electrical function efficiently, must integrate into the environment as seamlessly as possible.
The design of a project is based on an exhaustive study in which public administrations and other interest groups intervene with the objective of defining and agreeing on the locations of the facilities with the least possible impact, taking into account the characteristics of the territory, environmental, social and cultural.
Additionally, a series of preventive and corrective measures are applied, while detailed monitoring of construction and maintenance work is carried out.
Building
Various actions follow solid processes adapted to the particularities of different project types, both for building new installations and for work affecting existing installations. The construction model adheres to regulations, quality, and information systems that allow for appropriate activity monitoring. Besides, it is supported by the experience and lessons learned over the years, which are our greatest strengths. Obviously, we are always focused on efficiency, resource optimisation, and adaptation to the specific needs of each region.
Maintenance
We are tasked with ensuring that the transmission grid facilities are in optimal availability, reliability, and safety conditions to guarantee the power supply.
To achieve this, we have maintenance, renewal, and asset improvement policies. Moreover, we include an annual programme detailing all necessary interventions and resources.
Our main actions focus on improving the quality of the facilities by continuously incorporating new technologies and the optimising and efficiency of resources.
Additionally, we integrate an asset management system based on AI, evolving the traditional inspection, maintenance, and renewal model to a new predictive approach with a holistic view, allowing us to optimise activity planning and maximise resource use.
Smart Grid Maintenance (SAGA)
We rely on an asset management system based on AI and a predictive model to optimise activity planning and maximise resource use.
