New 400 kV Electrical Substation in Seville: What Changes for Businesses and Property Owners

Key data

Landowners in the Villanueva del Rey and Carmona (Seville) area may be subject to compulsory expropriation following the authorization granted to Red Eléctrica de España to build a new 400 kV substation and expand the existing infrastructure. The Resolución de 10 de marzo de 2026 of the Dirección General de Política Energética y Minas (BOE-A-2026-7285) grants both the prior administrative authorization and the construction authorization, and expressly declares the public utility of this infrastructure.

For industrial companies and businesses in the energy sector in the province of Seville, this project represents a direct improvement in the capacity, security and reliability of electricity supply in the area.

What does this regulation establish?

The resolution authorizes three distinct but interconnected actions in the province of Seville:

The resolution grants two types of simultaneous authorization: the prior administrative authorization (which validates the project from an energy and territorial perspective) and the administrative construction authorization (which enables the start of works). Both are granted to Red Eléctrica de España, SAU, operator of the electricity transmission system in Spain.

The most relevant element for landowners is the declaration of public utility. This legal instrument, expressly included in the resolution, allows Red Eléctrica to initiate compulsory expropriation procedures over the land required for the line route and the construction of the substations, without requiring voluntary agreement from the owners.

Economic and operational impact

This infrastructure has two clearly distinct types of economic impact depending on the profile of the affected party:

For landowners along the route: The declaration of public utility activates the expropriation procedure. This means that landowners will receive an official valuation of their land and will need to negotiate or challenge that valuation if they consider it inadequate. The process can be lengthy and has direct patrimonial implications. Failing to act in time may result in accepting valuations below the actual market value.

For industrial companies and energy sector businesses in Seville: The expansion of 400 kV transmission capacity in the province represents an improvement in the security and reliability of electricity supply. For energy-intensive industries, this may translate into a lower risk of supply interruptions and greater capacity to connect new facilities or expand existing ones in the area.

For the renewable energy sector: The new transmission infrastructure may facilitate the evacuation of energy generated by renewable installations in the area of influence of Villanueva del Rey and Carmona, opening opportunities for projects that may previously have been limited by grid capacity.

Who is affected?

• Owners of rural or urban land along the route of the 400 kV line between Villanueva del Rey and Carmona, and in the areas where the substations will be built.
• Agricultural or livestock companies with operations in the area of influence of the route, whose properties may be affected by easements or partial expropriations.
• Industrial companies with high electricity demand located in the province of Seville, which will benefit from greater capacity and reliability of supply.
• Renewable energy developers and operators (solar photovoltaic, wind) in the Villanueva del Rey and Carmona area, who will have access to greater evacuation capacity.
• Energy sector companies with facilities or projects in the area of influence of the new substations.
• Local and regional authorities in the municipalities affected by the route.

Practical example

The owner of a rural property in the municipality of Villanueva del Rey whose land falls within the route of the new 400 kV line will receive a formal notification from Red Eléctrica de España informing them that their plot is included in the list of assets and rights affected by the expropriation.

Since the resolution already declares the public utility of the infrastructure, the owner cannot oppose the expropriation itself, but does have the right to:

• Review and, if appropriate, challenge the economic valuation assigned to their land.
• Submit representations during the public information period of the expropriation file.
• Negotiate a friendly agreement with Red Eléctrica before the fair price is set through administrative channels.
• Appeal the valuation before the Jurado Provincial de Expropiación if they disagree with the proposed fair price.

Similarly, a solar energy developer with a project under development in the Carmona area can now assess whether the expansion of the substation with three new positions releases sufficient grid access capacity to connect their installation, which could unblock projects previously stalled due to grid constraints.

What should businesses do now?

1. Check whether your land is on the route: Consult the full file of Resolución BOE-A-2026-7285 and the project plans to verify whether any of your properties or facilities appear in the list of affected assets.
2. Act before the expropriation procedure begins: If your land is affected, contact a lawyer specializing in expropriations to understand your rights and prepare an independent valuation before receiving Red Eléctrica's offer.
3. Assess grid connection opportunities: If you are a renewable energy developer or an industrial company with expansion plans in Seville, analyze whether the new capacity at the Villanueva del Rey (6 positions) and Carmona (3 additional positions) substations opens up possibilities for access or improvement of your connection point.
4. Review rural lease agreements: If you have land leased in the affected area, check which clauses apply in the event of partial expropriation or right-of-way easement, as this may affect the terms of the contract.
5. Monitor the progress of the file: The authorization has already been granted, but the construction and expropriation process will unfold in phases. Stay informed about official deadlines and notifications so as not to miss opportunities to submit representations.

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-2026-7285