Regulatory Changes

Extension of the 400 kV power line in Madrid: what changes for landowners in 2026

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Equipo Editorial CambiosLegales
23 Mar 2026 7 min 9 views

Key data

RegulationResolution of 10 March 2026, of the Dirección General de Política Energética y Minas
BOE Publication23 March 2026
Entry into force10 March 2026
Affected partiesLandowners in Moraleja de Enmedio, Arroyomolinos and Móstoles (Madrid)
CategoryRegulatory Changes
PromoterRed Eléctrica de España, SAU (REE)
InfrastructureDouble-circuit 400 kV overhead line Moraleja-Villaviciosa and Morata-Villaviciosa
Modified sectionTowers 115 to 135
Type of authorizationPrior administrative authorization + administrative construction authorization + declaration of public utility
Key impact: Red Eléctrica de España has authorization to modify the route of the 400 kV line between towers 115 and 135 in Moraleja de Enmedio, Arroyomolinos and Móstoles. The declaration of public utility activates the compulsory expropriation procedure: landowners on the new route will receive notifications and must act. Businesses in the area of influence may experience temporary disruptions during construction works.

Landowners in Moraleja de Enmedio, Arroyomolinos and Móstoles are facing a compulsory expropriation process following the authorization granted to Red Eléctrica de España (REE) to expand the transport capacity of the double-circuit 400 kV overhead line Moraleja-Villaviciosa and Morata-Villaviciosa. The Resolution of 10 March 2026 of the Dirección General de Política Energética y Minas grants both the prior administrative authorization and the construction authorization, and declares the public utility of the project.

The project modifies the route between towers 115 and 135 of the existing line. This modification is what generates the need to occupy new land and, with it, activates the compulsory expropriation mechanism for affected landowners.

What does this regulation establish?

The resolution grants three simultaneous authorizations to REE for the same project:

AuthorizationDescription
Prior administrative authorizationAllows REE to plan and initiate the formalities of the capacity increase project
Administrative construction authorizationEnables the physical execution of works on the modified section (towers 115-135)
Declaration of public utilityAllows the initiation of compulsory expropriation of the land required for the new route across the three municipalities

The objective of the project is to increase electricity transport capacity in the southwest corridor of Madrid, an area of high industrial and residential demand. The reinforcement of this infrastructure aims to improve the security and stability of supply in the area.

The modification of the route between towers 115 and 135 means that the line will run through different land than the original route in that section, generating new impacts on private properties in Moraleja de Enmedio, Arroyomolinos and Móstoles.

Economic and operational impact

The impact of this resolution occurs on two distinct levels: that of affected landowners and that of businesses located in the area of influence.

For landowners: The declaration of public utility is the legal mechanism that allows REE to access private land through compulsory expropriation. This means that affected landowners will receive compensation, but cannot block the process once public utility has been declared. The value of the compensation is determined through the expropriation procedure regulated by current legislation. The resolution does not set specific compensation amounts, as these are determined on a case-by-case basis in the procedure.

For businesses in the area of influence: During the construction phase, industrial and commercial activities located in the vicinity of the three municipalities could experience temporary disruptions. The resolution does not specify the expected duration of the works. In the long term, the increase in capacity of the 400 kV line represents an improvement in the stability and security of electricity supply for the entire area.

Who is affected?

  • Landowners in Moraleja de Enmedio whose properties lie on the new route between towers 115 and 135.
  • Landowners in Arroyomolinos affected by the modification of the 400 kV line route.
  • Landowners in Móstoles included within the scope of the authorized execution project.
  • Industrial and commercial businesses located in the southwest corridor of Madrid that may experience temporary disruptions during the works.
  • Residential and service activities in the area of influence of the three municipalities during the construction phase.

Practical example

A landowner of an agricultural plot in Arroyomolinos whose land falls within the new route between towers 115 and 135 will receive a formal notification of the start of the expropriation proceedings from REE. From that point, the landowner has the right to participate in the procedure to determine the fair price (compensation) for their land, but cannot prevent the execution of the project, as the declaration of public utility grants REE the power of compulsory expropriation.

If the landowner disagrees with the fair price proposed by REE, they can challenge it before the Jurado Provincial de Expropiación and, subsequently, before the administrative courts. What they cannot do is block the execution of the works once the resolution is in force.

A company with industrial facilities in Móstoles close to the route, even if it does not have land directly subject to expropriation, should anticipate possible interruptions or operational constraints during the construction phase and assess whether it needs contingency measures for its electricity supply.

Do you need to monitor this and other regulations?

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What should businesses do now?

  1. Verify whether their land is on the affected route: Check whether properties owned in Moraleja de Enmedio, Arroyomolinos or Móstoles are located on the modified section between towers 115 and 135 of the 400 kV line. The execution project documentation, accessible through the BOE and the Dirección General de Política Energética y Minas, includes the detailed route.
  2. Attend to notifications from the expropriation procedure: If you receive a notification from REE or the administration regarding the start of the expropriation proceedings, respond within the established deadlines. Failing to attend to notifications may prejudice your position in the determination of the fair price.
  3. Obtain specialist legal advice on expropriation: Before accepting any fair price offer, consult a lawyer specializing in expropriation law to assess whether the proposed amount reflects the real value of the land and the resulting damages.
  4. Plan operational continuity if there is business activity in the area: Businesses with facilities in the area of influence should assess the potential impact of the works on their operations and, if necessary, activate contingency plans for electricity supply during the construction phase.
  5. Consult the complete administrative file: Access the full resolution published in the BOE (BOE-A-2026-6746) and the file at the Dirección General de Política Energética y Minas to understand the exact scope of the project and the affected land.

Frequently asked questions

Which municipalities in Madrid are affected by the REE power line extension?

The affected municipalities are Moraleja de Enmedio, Arroyomolinos and Móstoles. The project modifies the route of the double-circuit 400 kV overhead line between towers 115 and 135.

What does the declaration of public utility mean for landowners?

The declaration of public utility enables Red Eléctrica de España to initiate compulsory expropriation procedures over the land required to execute the new route. Affected landowners must attend to the notifications of the expropriation procedure and have the right to participate in the determination of the fair price, but cannot prevent the execution of the project.

When does the authorization for the 400 kV power line in Madrid come into force?

The resolution was issued on 10 March 2026 and published in the BOE on 23 March 2026. The prior administrative and construction authorization has been in force since 10 March 2026.

Will businesses in the area experience supply outages during the works?

The regulatory summary indicates that businesses and activities located in the area of influence could be temporarily affected during the works. In the long term, they will benefit from greater stability in electricity supply thanks to the reinforcement of the network in the southwest corridor of Madrid. The resolution does not specify the expected duration of the works.

Which specific power lines are expanded under this resolution?

The transport capacity of the double-circuit 400 kV overhead line Moraleja-Villaviciosa and Morata-Villaviciosa is expanded, with modification of the route between towers 115 and 135 across the three indicated municipalities.

Official source

View full regulation at official source

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, please consult a qualified professional. Source: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-6746



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El equipo editorial de CambiosLegales analiza diariamente los cambios normativos que afectan a empresas y autónomos en España, ofreciendo análisis pro...

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