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New Ibiza-Formentera Link
New Ibiza-Formentera Link
The key infrastructure for the decarbonisation of the system in Formentera.
A commitment to the islands’ decarbonisation
The interconnection between the Pityusic Islands, in service since 2023, heralds a new future in terms of guaranteeing supply in Ibiza and Formentera, especially in Formentera, as it will allow 100% of its demand to be covered at all times under secure conditions, minimising the operating needs of local generation and, therefore, reducing costs for the system and boosting the energy transition through the reduction of CO2
Project benefits
Quality of supply
Since its commissioning, it has covered 100 % of the demand of Formentera, providing the island with the quality and guaranteed supply of a robust, interlinked system. This guarantee is enhanced by the interconnection between Ibiza and Majorca and between Majorca and the mainland.
Reduction of emissions
The new link avoids the need for local, fossil-fired generation at virtually all times. The system has enabled us to avoid, on average, the emission of 11,000 tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere.
Efficiency of the system
Interconnection means savings for the electricity system as a whole of around 3 million euros per year, thanks to greater use of generation from indigenous renewable sources and less dependence on fossil fuels.
Outstanding figures
x2
Three-pole cables
27,1
km
Length
96
M€
Investment
132
kV
Voltage level
An integrative and cutting edge project
The second interconnection between the Pityusic Islands consists of a three-pole alternating current link in two 132 kV circuits, with a transmission capacity of 53 MVA each.
The underwater part of the route runs 27.1 km between Ibiza and Formentera, while the land part runs underground for 5.2 km in Ibiza and 4.8 km in Formentera.
The existing 132 kV Torrent substation has also been extended and a new 132 kV substation has been built in Formentera.
The link also incorporates fibre optics for proper remote management and real-time operation of the infrastructure. Excess fibre capacity is made available to third party telecommunications operators to improve connectivity on the islands, a task carried out by Reintel, a Redeia company that operates as a neutral provider of telecommunications infrastructure.
Designed with the utmost respect for the environment
Respect for the environment and preservation of our surroundings is a priority in all our projects.
So in this infrastructure, the arrival of the link to the coast, and its connection with the land part, has been carried out using the horizontal directional drilling technique, which enables the drilling of an underground pipeline that avoids the obstacles of the terrain and guarantees the minimum environmental impact, safeguarding the Posidonia oceanica meadows and other phanerogams.
Moreover, the simultaneous laying and protection of the submarine cables has been developed using dynamic positioning systems and monitoring devices that have guided the execution of the laying according to the planned route, and with techniques that have ensured both the protection of the seabed and the integrity and safety of the infrastructure.
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