Abegondo 400 kV Substation: Red Eléctrica Obtains Authorization for New 150 MVAr Reactance

Key data

Red Eléctrica de España, SAU, already has prior administrative authorization and administrative construction authorization to execute the expansion of the Abegondo substation in the 400 kV park, through the installation of a new reactance position and its associated equipment, identified as REA-1. The resolution, signed on October 13, 2026 and published in the BOE on October 29, 2026 (BOE-A-2026-22684), grants both authorizations simultaneously.

This action is not an isolated decision: it is part of the Transmission network development plan 2021-2026, the planning instrument that determines which high-voltage electrical infrastructure must be built or expanded in Spain to guarantee supply security and quality.

What does this regulation establish?

The resolution grants two differentiated but jointly awarded authorizations:

• Prior administrative authorization: enables Red Eléctrica de España to promote the expansion project.
• Administrative construction authorization: permits the material execution of works.

The specific object of the authorization is the installation of a new reactance position (REA-1) and its associated equipment in the 400 kV park of the Abegondo substation, located in the municipality of Abegondo (A Coruña). The reactance will have a power of 150 MVAr and its function is to improve voltage control in the peninsular electrical system.

During the proceedings, the Abegondo Town Council filed objections opposing the project on urban planning and environmental grounds. These objections were dismissed by the General Directorate, under two regulations:

• Law 13/2003: regulating public works concession contracts, which establishes the authorization framework for infrastructure of general interest.
• Law 21/2013: on environmental assessment, which exempts this installation from undergoing environmental impact assessment.

Additionally, the CNMC (National Commission for Markets and Competition) did not issue its report within the established deadline, so said report is considered favorable by administrative silence.

The resolution explicitly clarifies that it does not replace or exempt from other sectoral authorizations that may be necessary to execute the work (municipal licenses, regional environmental authorizations, etc.).

Economic and operational impact

For Red Eléctrica de España, this resolution unblocks the execution of infrastructure included in its regulated planning. Investments in the electrical transmission network are remunerated by the regulator, so the authorization has a direct impact on the company's ability to activate the capital expenditure associated with this project.

From the perspective of the electrical system, the installation of a 150 MVAr reactance at a 400 kV node like Abegondo has relevant operational consequences:

• Improvement of voltage control in the northwest area of the peninsula, historically with regulation difficulties due to high penetration of renewable generation (wind, mainly).
• Greater capacity to absorb reactive energy, which reduces losses in the network and improves supply quality for industrial consumers and distributors connected to that node.
• Contribution to system security in scenarios of high renewable generation and low demand, a frequent situation in Galicia.

For the municipality of Abegondo, the dismissal of its objections means that the work can be executed without needing to modify local urban planning, although Red Eléctrica must obtain the corresponding sectoral licenses.

Who does it affect?

• Red Eléctrica de España, SAU: holder of the authorization and responsible for the execution and operation of the new installation.
• Abegondo Town Council (A Coruña): municipality where the substation is located; its objections were dismissed, although Red Eléctrica must process the corresponding sectoral authorizations.
• Peninsular electrical system operators: the improvement of voltage control at the Abegondo 400 kV node benefits the operation of the entire transmission network.
• Distributors and large industrial consumers connected to or dependent on the Abegondo node, who will benefit from greater voltage stability.
• Renewable energy promoters in the northwest peninsula, for whom the improvement of the transmission network facilitates energy evacuation.

Practical example

A Galician wind farm connected to the transmission network in the area of influence of the Abegondo substation may encounter injection restrictions during hours of high generation and low demand, precisely due to voltage control problems at the node. The installation of the REA-1 reactance of 150 MVAr allows absorbing the excess reactive energy generated under those conditions, reducing the probability that the system operator orders production cuts to the farm. In practical terms, this can translate into fewer curtailment hours and, therefore, greater effective production and higher revenues for the renewable promoter.

For Red Eléctrica, obtaining both prior and construction authorization simultaneously speeds up execution timelines: it is not necessary to wait for a second resolution to begin works, which reduces the time from authorization to commissioning of the installation.

What should companies do now?

1. Red Eléctrica de España: initiate the processing of additional sectoral authorizations that may be necessary (work licenses, regional authorizations, etc.), as the resolution does not replace them.
2. Renewable promoters in the northwest peninsula: review their connection and evacuation plans taking into account the expected improvement at the Abegondo 400 kV node, which may modify access and connection conditions in that area.
3. Distributors and industrial consumers connected to the area: assess the positive impact on voltage quality once the new reactance is commissioned.
4. Abegondo Town Council: although its objections were dismissed, it can verify that Red Eléctrica complies with the urban and sectoral coordination obligations that do correspond to it at the local level.
5. Energy sector advisors and consultants: incorporate this authorization into the monitoring of the Transmission network development plan 2021-2026 to anticipate other actions planned within the same planning framework.

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-2026-22684