Key data
| Regulation | Resolution of 10 July 2026, from the State Secretariat for Energy — Narcea 400 kV node tender |
|---|---|
| Publication | 29 July 2026 |
| Entry into force | 29 July 2026 |
| Affected parties | Renewable energy developers, electricity generation companies and just transition territories in southwestern Asturias |
| Category | Energy |
| Awarded capacity | 320 MW (MGES) to La Barca Energía, SL |
| Required final guarantee | €38,400,000 (€120,000/MW) |
| Total capacity tendered | 354 MW for MGES + 354 MW for MPE + underlying nodes 132 kV and 50 kV |
| Official source | BOE-A-2026-16530 |
La Barca Energía, SL becomes the awarded party for 320 MW of renewable capacity at the Narcea 400 kV electrical node, one of the just transition nodes enabled to replace coal mining activity in Asturias. The Resolution of 10 July 2026 from the State Secretariat for Energy, published in the BOE on 29 July 2026 (BOE-A-2026-16530), ends a competitive process in which three companies participated and which began in December 2024.
For renewable developers operating or planning to operate in the northwestern peninsula, this resolution defines who controls the available evacuation capacity at this node in the coming years and closes the access window for competitors who were not awarded.
What does this regulation establish?
The resolution resolves the public tender for the granting of evacuation access capacity to the electrical grid at the Narcea 400 kV just transition node. This type of node was created to channel renewable investment towards areas affected by the closure of coal mining, in this case southwestern Asturias.
The tender contemplated two types of differentiated capacity:
- MGES (Supply Energy Generation Mode): 354 MW available.
- MPE (Electricity Production Mode): 354 MW available.
- Additional underlying nodes at voltage levels of 132 kV and 50 kV.
The award of 320 MW of MGES fell to La Barca Energía following the evaluation of the three offers submitted. The following table shows the complete scoring results:
| Company | Project | Score obtained | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| La Barca Energía, SL | CHR La Barca | 85.82 points | Awarded — 320 MW |
| EDP España | Not specified | 49.65 points | Not awarded |
| CDR Buseiro | Not specified | 30.91 points | Not awarded |
The process included a phase of objections from competitors, some of which were partially upheld, although without altering the final award result.
Economic and operational impact
The most immediate fact for La Barca Energía is the obligation to establish a final guarantee of €38,400,000, calculated at €120,000/MW on the 320 MW awarded. This figure represents a significant financial commitment that the company must assume to maintain the award.
From a market perspective, the resolution has three direct operational consequences:
- For La Barca Energía: guaranteed access to 320 MW of evacuation capacity at a strategic node in the northern peninsula, which enables the development of the CHR La Barca project.
- For EDP España and CDR Buseiro: definitive closure of access to this node in the MGES mode, with the need to redirect their projects to other available nodes or modes.
- For the territory: the award activates renewable investment in southwestern Asturias, a just transition zone, with the potential to generate employment and economic activity as a substitute for coal.
The tender is framed within the national just transition policy, which reserves grid capacity at specific nodes for projects that contribute to the reconversion of mining territories. This means that the awarded capacity was not available in the ordinary grid access market.
Who does it affect?
- Renewable energy developers who compete or plan to compete in just transition node tenders.
- EDP España and CDR Buseiro, who are excluded from this node and must reconsider their grid access strategy in Asturias.
- Investors and financiers of renewable projects in the northwestern peninsula, who must update their viability analyses.
- Local and regional administrations in southwestern Asturias, who see investment activated in their territory.
- Renewable supply chain companies (construction, engineering, operation and maintenance) that may benefit from the development of the CHR La Barca project.
- Energy advisors and consultants who manage grid access strategies for developers in just transition zones.
Practical example
La Barca Energía, SL has obtained 320 MW of access capacity with a score of 85.82 points out of 100, compared to 49.65 for EDP España and 30.91 for CDR Buseiro. The difference of more than 36 points compared to the second-placed competitor reflects a clear competitive advantage in the tender evaluation criteria.
To put the financial commitment in perspective: with a guarantee of €120,000/MW, a developer that had obtained only 100 MW would have had to deposit 12 million euros. La Barca Energía, with 320 MW awarded, assumes a guarantee of €38.4 million, which gives an idea of the project size and the level of solvency required to participate in this type of tender.
For EDP España, which scored 49.65 points, the difference of more than 36 points compared to the winner indicates that the project presented did not meet the technical or territorial impact standards required to compete on equal terms with CHR La Barca.
What should companies do now?
- If you are La Barca Energía: establish the final guarantee of €38,400,000 within the timeframes set by the resolution to avoid losing the award.
- If you are EDP España or CDR Buseiro: analyze the partially upheld objections to understand the evaluation criteria and redirect projects towards other just transition nodes or available MPE modes.
- If you are a renewable developer with interest in Asturias: review the map of active just transition nodes and pending tender resolutions to identify grid access opportunities.
- If you are an investor or financier: update viability models for projects in southwestern Asturias taking into account that the MGES capacity of the Narcea 400 kV node is awarded.
- If you are an energy advisor: document the scoring criteria of this tender (85.82 / 49.65 / 30.91 points) as a reference for future tenders at similar nodes.
Frequently asked questions
How much capacity has been awarded at the Narcea 400 kV node and to whom?
320 MW of MGES capacity has been awarded to La Barca Energía, SL, with its CHR La Barca project. The total capacity tendered was 354 MW for MGES and 354 MW for MPE, plus underlying nodes at 132 kV and 50 kV.
What guarantee must La Barca Energía deposit for the award?
The awarded company must deposit a final guarantee of €38,400,000, calculated at €120,000/MW on the 320 MW awarded.
What scores did the participants in the Narcea 400 kV tender obtain?
La Barca Energía obtained 85.82 points with the CHR La Barca project. EDP España came second with 49.65 points and CDR Buseiro third with 30.91 points. The difference between first and second was more than 36 points.
What is a just transition node and why is Narcea relevant?
Just transition nodes are points on the electrical grid where the State Secretariat for Energy reserves access capacity for renewable projects in areas affected by the closure of polluting industries. The Narcea 400 kV node is located in southwestern Asturias, a territory impacted by coal mining closures, and its development aims to generate economic activity and substitute employment.
When did the tender begin and when was it resolved?
The tender began in December 2024. The resolution was signed on 10 July 2026 and published in the BOE on 29 July 2026, the date it also entered into force. The process included a phase of objections from competitors, some partially upheld.
Official source
Consult complete regulation at official source
Notice: This article is purely informational in nature 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-2026-16530