400 kV Line Upgrade Málaga-Granada-Almería: What Changes for Companies and Municipalities in 2026

Key data

The General Directorate of Energy Policy and Mines has granted Red Eléctrica de España, SAU prior administrative authorization and administrative construction authorization to upgrade the overhead electrical energy transport line at 400 kV Tajo de la Encantada–Archidona–Caparacena–Huéneja–Tabernas–Litoral. The resolution, dated 16 September 2026, was published in the BOE on 16 October 2026 and entered into force that same day.

This project reinforces one of the main axes of the electrical system in southern Spain, divided into five sections that run through the provinces of Málaga, Granada and Almería. The upgrade does not involve a new line, but rather an increase in the capacity of the existing infrastructure, which reduces processing times and territorial impact compared to a new project.

What does this regulation establish?

The resolution grants two simultaneous authorizations to Red Eléctrica de España:

• Prior administrative authorization: confirms the viability of the project from an energy and regulatory perspective.
• Administrative construction authorization: enables the actual start of upgrade works.

The project is structured in five sections that run along the Tajo de la Encantada–Archidona–Caparacena–Huéneja–Tabernas–Litoral corridor. The processing has required the intervention of multiple agencies, whose conditions Red Eléctrica must comply with during execution:

The environmental viability of the project is supported by an Environmental Impact Statement approved in 2021 and extended in 2025, which ensures that the project has completed the full environmental assessment process.

Economic and operational impact

The upgrade of this line has direct consequences for the energy system in the southern peninsula and for the economic agents operating in it:

• Greater renewable evacuation capacity: Eastern Andalusia concentrates a significant portion of solar and wind energy projects pending connection to the grid. A higher capacity line reduces the bottlenecks that limit energy evacuation and therefore the profitability of those installations.
• Improved supply security: Industrial companies and large consumers in Granada and Almería provinces—especially the agro-industrial and chemical sectors—will benefit from a more robust network with lower risk of interruptions.
• Easements and land use restrictions: Owners of land crossed by the line must respect flight, passage and protection zone easements. This may affect construction plans, plantations or installation of structures in the corridor.
• Mandatory coordination for nearby infrastructure: Companies with facilities near the route—gas pipelines, telecommunications, roads, railways—must coordinate with Red Eléctrica during the construction phase.

Who does it affect?

• Red Eléctrica de España, SAU: project owner, responsible for complying with all conditions imposed by the consulted agencies.
• Municipalities in Málaga, Granada and Almería crossed by the five line sections: must coordinate with Red Eléctrica the crossings with road and urban infrastructure.
• Renewable energy developers in eastern Andalusia: the greater line capacity improves the prospects for connection and evacuation of their installations.
• Land owners in the line corridor: affected by aeronautical easements and infrastructure protection.
• Companies with crossed infrastructure (ADIF, gas operators, telecommunications, roads): required to coordinate during construction.
• Large industrial consumers in the affected provinces: indirect beneficiaries of improved supply security.

Practical example

A developer of a photovoltaic solar park in Granada province with a planned connection point at the Caparacena substation—one of the nodes in the authorized corridor—directly benefits from this upgrade. The greater capacity of the 400 kV line reduces the likelihood that Red Eléctrica will deny or delay network access due to congestion in the section, a common reason for renewable project delays in the southern peninsula.

On the other hand, a municipality whose territory is crossed by one of the five sections must review whether any planned urban development—opening of roads, industrial parks, green areas—interferes with the line corridor. The resolution requires Red Eléctrica to coordinate these crossings with local administrations, but it also means that municipalities must respond to that coordination within the established timeframes.

What should companies do now?

1. Verify if the route affects your land or facilities: Consult the project plans at the General Directorate of Energy Policy and Mines or at the electronic office of the Ministry for Ecological Transition. If the corridor crosses your company's properties, initiate contact with Red Eléctrica to learn about the easement conditions.
2. Review construction or expansion projects in the corridor: If you have plans for building, installation of structures or plantations in the line protection zone, consult with a technician whether they are affected by land use restrictions associated with the easement.
3. If you are a renewable developer in eastern Andalusia: Update your evacuation capacity analysis taking into account the improvement of this line. It may change the technical or economic viability of projects that were on hold.
4. If you manage crossed infrastructure (railway, road, services): Establish a coordination protocol with Red Eléctrica for the construction phase, as required by the resolution regarding ADIF and service companies.
5. Monitoring of specific conditions: If your activity is related to cultural heritage, water resources or aviation in the area, review the conditions imposed by sector agencies (AESA, river basin authorities, heritage agencies) to ensure your activity does not conflict with the works.

Official source

View 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-2026-21606