400 kV Power Line Almazán-Coscurita: EIA Approved and Conditions for Red Eléctrica

Key data

Red Eléctrica de España has received environmental approval to build the 400 kV overhead power line between Almazán and the future Coscurita substation in the province of Soria. The Resolution of October 7, 2026 from the Directorate General for Quality and Environmental Assessment, published in the BOE on October 28, 2026, issues the environmental impact assessment (EIA) with a favorable conditional nature.

The project responds to the State's binding electrical planning and the high wind potential of the area, making this infrastructure a key node for renewable energy evacuation in Castilla y León. The EIA is not a minor procedure: without it, the work cannot legally begin, and its content sets the rules for the entire construction and operation phase.

What does this regulation establish?

The approved EIA authorizes the project with impacts rated as compatible in the most sensitive aspects—atmosphere, noise and electromagnetic fields—thanks to the distance from inhabited areas: all are located more than 1 km from the line and no dwellings are detected in the 100-meter buffer.

However, the resolution imposes corrective conditions that Red Eléctrica must comply with mandatorily. These conditions are structured around four major blocks:

The technical justification of the project is based on two pillars: the State's binding electrical planning and the high wind potential of the Soria area, which requires new evacuation capacity to the transport network.

Economic and operational impact

For Red Eléctrica de España, EIA approval unlocks the construction phase of the Coscurita substation and its connection to the 400 kV network. This is a short-distance infrastructure—597 meters—but of high strategic relevance for renewable integration in the area.

From an operational perspective, the most relevant aspects are:

• Estimated execution period: 2 months. A very tight schedule that requires precise planning of corrective measures from the first day of work.
• Conditions from the Duero River Basin Authority: Involve restrictions or specific requirements on water management and public hydraulic domain in the project's area of influence.
• Conditions from the Junta de Castilla y León: Add an additional layer of regional supervision, with possible requirements on biodiversity, soil or cultural heritage.
• Electromagnetic fields: Rated as compatible since no dwellings exist in the 100-meter buffer, eliminating the risk of neighbor complaints on this matter.

Non-compliance with any of the EIA conditions may result in work stoppage or administrative sanctions, so regulatory compliance has a direct economic impact on the project schedule.

Who does it affect?

• Red Eléctrica de España: Project promoter and main party bound by EIA conditions. Must integrate all corrective measures into the construction project and environmental monitoring plan.
• Regional administration of Castilla y León: Involved in supervising compliance with sectoral conditions and protecting cultural heritage.
• Duero River Basin Authority: Organism whose report has generated specific binding conditions for the project.
• Municipalities and local entities in the Coscurita and Almazán area (Soria): Affected by work execution, although impacts are rated as compatible.
• Wind farm promoters in the area: The new Coscurita substation is the evacuation infrastructure that enables connection of new renewable generation in Soria province.

Practical example

A wind farm promoter in the Almazán region with planned connection to the future Coscurita substation can now confirm that the evacuation infrastructure has approved environmental backing. The favorable conditional EIA means the 400 kV line can be built in an estimated 2-month period once work begins, allowing the wind farm promoter to adjust its own commissioning schedule.

However, if during execution of the 597 meters of line a breach of imposed conditions is detected—for example, in waste management or cultural heritage protection—the work can be halted by the environmental authority, delaying wind farm connection and generating significant additional costs for all parties involved.

What should companies do now?

1. Red Eléctrica de España: Thoroughly review EIA conditions and integrate them into the final construction project before work begins. No condition is optional.
2. Develop the environmental monitoring plan: The EIA requires monitoring during construction. Designate an environmental site manager with decision-making authority on the ground.
3. Coordinate with the Duero River Basin Authority and the Junta de Castilla y León: Sectoral conditions from both organisms must be communicated to contractors and subcontractors before work begins.
4. Wind farm promoters with planned connection in Coscurita: Update project schedules considering the estimated 2-month period for connection line construction.
5. Waste management: Contract an authorized waste manager for the work phase and document all traceability, as this is one of the explicit corrective conditions of the EIA.

Official source

View 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-2026-22599