Key data
| Regulation | Resolution of August 18, 2026, from the General Directorate of Energy Policy and Mines |
|---|---|
| Official Gazette Publication | September 3, 2026 (BOE-A-2026-18572) |
| Entry into force | September 3, 2026 |
| Project holder | Red Eléctrica de España, SAU |
| Line length | 49.28 km |
| Voltage | 220 kV (overhead line) |
| Affected provinces | Huesca and Lleida |
| Category | Energy / Electrical transport infrastructure |
| Environmental Impact Statement approved | November 2025 |
| Regulatory framework | RD 1955/2000 and Law 21/2013 on environmental assessment |
The upgrade of the 220 kV Mediano–Pont de Suert line is now an administrative reality: the General Directorate of Energy Policy and Mines granted on August 18, 2026 both the prior administrative authorization and the administrative construction authorization to Red Eléctrica de España, SAU. The resolution was published in the Official Gazette on September 3, 2026 (reference BOE-A-2026-18572) and entered into force that same day.
This action is part of the binding planning of the national electrical transport network, which means that its execution is not discretionary: it is integrated into the framework for developing energy infrastructure of strategic importance to the State.
What does this regulation establish?
The resolution grants two differentiated but complementary authorizations on the same project:
- Prior administrative authorization: enables Red Eléctrica de España to develop the line upgrade project.
- Administrative construction authorization: allows the actual start of works once the imposed conditions are met.
The project was processed in accordance with Royal Decree 1955/2000, which regulates the activities of transport, distribution, marketing, supply and authorization procedures for electrical energy installations, and Law 21/2013 on environmental assessment. The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) was approved in November 2025, conditioning the start of works to compliance with its requirements.
The environmental conditions that the resolution imposes are as follows:
| Environmental condition | Detail |
|---|---|
| Prior botanical surveys | Mandatory before the start of any work on the route |
| Prior faunistic surveys | Mandatory before the start of any work on the route |
| Work suspension | Immediate if protected species are detected during work |
| Measures on critical supports for avifauna | Specific actions on supports identified as risk for birds |
Regarding the position of affected municipalities, several municipalities in Huesca and Lleida showed initial opposition for urban planning and environmental reasons. The process concluded with agreements with some councils and with the application of positive silence in cases where there was no formal response within the deadline, which allowed the processing to continue.
Economic and operational impact
As this is a national electrical transport network infrastructure, investment and construction costs fall entirely on Red Eléctrica de España, SAU, the system operator. The resolution does not establish specific economic amounts in its text, but the operational implications are relevant for several actors:
- Environmental compliance costs for REE: prior botanical and faunistic surveys, as well as measures on critical supports, entail additional planning and execution costs that must be integrated into the project budget.
- Suspension risk: the detection of protected species during work requires immediate work stoppage, with consequent impact on construction schedules and costs.
- Impact on municipalities: the upgrade of a 49.28 km line affects the territory of several municipalities in Huesca and Lleida, with possible urban planning implications and right-of-way easements that each council must manage.
- Benefit for the electrical system: the modernization of this infrastructure improves the capacity and reliability of electrical transport on the Pyrenees-Aragon-Catalonia axis, with positive impact on supply security in the area.
Who does it affect?
- Red Eléctrica de España, SAU: project holder, responsible for complying with all authorization conditions and executing the works.
- Municipalities of Huesca and Lleida on the route of the 49.28 km: must manage the urban planning and easement implications derived from the installation.
- Energy project promoters in the area (renewables, storage): the upgrade of this line may affect available evacuation capacity and connection timelines to the network.
- Construction and engineering companies participating in project execution: must strictly comply with the imposed environmental conditions.
- Landowners affected by the route: may be subject to right-of-way easements and land use restrictions.
- Citizens and entities in the surroundings of Mediano (Huesca) and Pont de Suert (Lleida): affected by the visual, environmental and territorial impact of the infrastructure.
Practical example
A construction company awarded the upgrade work begins the route preparation phase. Before moving any machinery, it is obligated to complete botanical and faunistic surveys along the entire length of the 49.28 km. If during those surveys—or during the actual execution of the works—the presence of a protected species is detected at any of the supports or in the line corridor, work in that area must stop immediately until the corrective measures provided for in the Environmental Impact Statement approved in November 2025 are adopted. Furthermore, at the supports previously identified as critical for avifauna, the company must apply the specific measures established in the resolution before completing the installation. Non-compliance with any of these conditions could result in suspension of the construction authorization.
What should companies do now?
- Red Eléctrica de España: activate the protocol for botanical and faunistic surveys before starting any work on the route, and define the action plan for critical supports identified for avifauna.
- Construction companies and subcontractors: review the environmental conditions of the resolution and integrate them into work plans, with clear procedures for suspension upon detection of protected species.
- Affected municipalities: review the urban planning implications of the route in their municipal area and verify whether agreements reached during processing include specific commitments from Red Eléctrica.
- Renewable energy promoters in the area: consult with the system operator about the impact of the upgrade on available evacuation capacity and timelines for their connection projects.
- Landowners on the route: verify if their plot is affected by right-of-way easements and, if so, know their rights in the expropriation or voluntary agreement procedure.
Frequently asked questions
What is the length of the authorized power line between Mediano and Pont de Suert?
The 220 kV overhead line Mediano–Pont de Suert has a length of 49.28 km and runs between the provinces of Huesca and Lleida.
What environmental conditions does the authorization impose on Red Eléctrica de España?
The resolution requires prior botanical and faunistic surveys before the start of works, immediate suspension of work if protected species are detected, and specific measures on supports identified as critical for avifauna.
When does the authorization for the Mediano–Pont de Suert line enter into force?
The resolution was published on September 3, 2026 and entered into force that same day, according to the Resolution of August 18, 2026 from the General Directorate of Energy Policy and Mines.
What regulation governs the processing of this power line project?
The project was processed in accordance with Royal Decree 1955/2000 and Law 21/2013 on environmental assessment. The Environmental Impact Statement was approved in November 2025.
Did the affected municipalities oppose this power line?
Several municipalities showed initial opposition for urban planning and environmental reasons. Finally, agreements were reached with some of them or positive silence was applied, which allowed administrative processing to continue.
Official source
Consult complete regulation at official source
Notice: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-18572
