Key data
| Regulation | Resolution of April 24, 2026, from the General Directorate of Energy Policy and Mines — correction of errors in the resolution of March 10, 2026 |
|---|---|
| BOE Publication | May 14, 2026 |
| Entry into force | April 24, 2026 |
| Authorization holder | Red Eléctrica de España, SAU |
| Infrastructure | Overhead electrical transmission line at 400kV, single circuit, Grado 400kV substation — Cardoso 400kV substation, Carreño (Asturias) |
| Main affected parties | Red Eléctrica de España SAU, landowners in the route, Asturian energy sector |
| Category | Energy |
| Declaration of public utility | Yes — enables forced expropriation of land necessary for the line |
Landowners in the municipality of Carreño (Asturias) and energy sector operators in northern Spain should understand the real scope of this resolution. The Resolution of April 24, 2026 from the General Directorate of Energy Policy and Mines corrects material errors detected in the resolution of March 10, 2026, which granted Red Eléctrica de España, SAU the prior administrative authorization and administrative construction authorization for the 400kV overhead line between the Grado and Cardoso substations.
The correction does not modify the substance of the authorization or the declaration of public utility. But this declaration has direct and concrete consequences for those who have land in the route: it enables forced expropriation.
What does this regulation establish?
The resolution of March 10, 2026 granted Red Eléctrica de España, SAU two simultaneous authorizations for the construction of a high-voltage electrical infrastructure in Asturias:
- Prior administrative authorization: approval of the project in the planning phase.
- Administrative construction authorization: permission to physically execute the work.
Furthermore, it declared the public utility of the infrastructure, which in practice means that the State can impose forced expropriation of private land necessary for the line installation.
The resolution of April 24, 2026 — the one now being published — only corrects material errors detected in that original text. It does not change any of the substantive elements: neither the holder, nor the route, nor the authorizations granted, nor the declaration of public utility.
| Element | Original Resolution (10/03/2026) | Correction Resolution (24/04/2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Prior administrative authorization | Granted to Red Eléctrica de España, SAU | No changes |
| Construction authorization | Granted to Red Eléctrica de España, SAU | No changes |
| Declaration of public utility | Declared — enables forced expropriation | No changes |
| Infrastructure | 400kV single circuit line Grado-Cardoso, Carreño (Asturias) | No changes |
| Material errors detected | Present in the original text | Corrected |
Economic and operational impact
For Red Eléctrica de España, SAU, this correction is an administrative procedure that clears any legal ambiguity in the authorization text. The company can continue with project planning and execution without uncertainty about the documentary validity of its permits.
For landowners in the route, the economic impact is the most relevant. The declaration of public utility — which remains intact — activates the forced expropriation procedure. This implies:
- Obligation to cede the land necessary for the line installation.
- Right to receive economic compensation for the expropriation or right of way easement.
- Possibility to negotiate the fair value or challenge it in court if it is not considered adequate.
For the energy sector in Asturias and northern Spain, the 400kV Grado-Cardoso line strengthens the transmission capacity of the high-voltage network, which has direct implications for supply security and the integration of new generation sources in the area.
Who does it affect?
- Red Eléctrica de España, SAU: holder of the authorizations. The correction consolidates the legal validity of its construction permits.
- Landowners in the line route in Carreño (Asturias): affected by the declaration of public utility and the forced expropriation or right of way easement procedure.
- Energy sector operators in northern Spain: benefit from the reinforcement of the 400kV high-voltage transmission network.
- Local and regional administrations in Asturias: to the extent that the infrastructure affects the territory and urban planning of Carreño.
Practical example
An owner of an agricultural property in the municipality of Carreño (Asturias) whose land is located in the route of the 400kV overhead line between the Grado and Cardoso substations receives a notification of the expropriation procedure.
Since the declaration of public utility was already granted in the resolution of March 10, 2026 and the error correction published on May 14, 2026 does not modify it, Red Eléctrica de España, SAU can initiate the forced expropriation or right of way easement imposition proceedings on that property.
The owner has the right to participate in the fair value determination procedure (compensation) and, if they disagree with the proposed valuation, can challenge it before the Provincial Expropriation Board or, as a last resort, before the administrative litigation courts. The error correction does not open new deadlines or modify the owner's rights: the legal framework is that established in the original resolution of March 2026.
What should companies do now?
- Landowners in Carreño (Asturias): Verify whether their plot is included in the 400kV Grado-Cardoso line route. Consult the file with the General Directorate of Energy Policy and Mines or the Government Delegation in Asturias to learn about the status of the expropriation procedure.
- Owners affected by expropriation: Seek advice from a lawyer specializing in expropriation law before accepting any fair value offer. The declaration of public utility is already final and not appealable at this stage, but the economic valuation is.
- Red Eléctrica de España, SAU and contractors: Update project documentation with the error correction resolution of April 24, 2026 to ensure legal consistency of all administrative files linked to the work.
- Energy operators in northern Spain: Incorporate the new 400kV transmission infrastructure into the planning of access and connection to the