Energy Union: New Spain-Portugal electricity interconnection inaugurated

The European Commission welcomes the inauguration of the electricity interconnection inaugurated today between Spain and Portugal. The commissioning of this new electricity interconnection between northern Portugal and Galicia in North-West Spain marks a key energy milestone. The project increases cross-border electricity capacity by 1 000 MW, reaching 4 200 MW from Spain to Portugal and 3.500 MW from Portugal to Spain. Delivered by the transmission system operators (TSO) of Spain Red Eléctrica and Portugal REN, this project contributes to energy independence in both countries, while contributing to the completion of the Energy Union. This milestone underscores the importance of coordinated EU action, notably through the High-Level Group for Interconnections in South-West Europe (HLG-SWE) and contributes to achieving the EU's 15% electricity interconnection target by 2030.

EU Commissioner for Energy and Housing Dan Jørgensen said

"I very much welcome the inauguration of this key energy link between Spain and Portugal. Cross-border electricity interconnectors are key to integrate more renewables in our system and therefore lower energy prices. A stronger European Union must be based on a strong internal electricity market."

Cross-border interconnections are essential to enhance the resilience of the electricity system, improve competitiveness by bringing down electricity prices and enable the large-scale integration of renewable energy across Member States. The project has been supported by the European Commission through its inclusion in the EU list of Projects of Common Interest (PCI) and in the framework of the High-Level Group on Interconnections in South-West Europe.

Related Links

• PCIFiche_Portugal-SPain interconnection between Beariz (ES) and Vila Nova de Famalicai (PT).pdf
• Projects of Common Interest (PCI)