Grado-Cardoso 400 kV Power Line: What Affected Property Owners Need to Know

Key data

Property owners in the municipality of Carreño (Asturias) whose land lies along the route of this new electricity infrastructure may be subject to compulsory purchase proceedings or right-of-way easements. The Resolution of 10 March 2026 of the Dirección General de Política Energética y Minas grants Red Eléctrica de España, SAU both the prior administrative authorisation and the construction administrative authorisation for this line.

The public utility declaration, included in the same resolution, is the legal instrument that opens the door to expropriation. This is not a minor formality: it means that the State recognises that the general interest of the infrastructure takes precedence over the right to private property, although affected parties always retain the right to compensation.

What does this regulation establish?

The resolution grants three authorisations in a single administrative act:

• Prior administrative authorisation: allows Red Eléctrica to plan and prepare the project.
• Construction administrative authorisation: enables the effective commencement of works on the overhead line.
• Public utility declaration: facilitates the compulsory purchase of the necessary land and the establishment of right-of-way easements over private properties along the route.

The infrastructure consists of an overhead electricity transmission line at 400 kV on a single circuit, connecting the Grado 400 kV substation with the Cardoso 400 kV substation, both located in the municipality of Carreño, Asturias.

The stated objective is to reinforce the electricity transmission network in northern Spain, improving the capacity and security of supply in the Asturian region, within the framework of national energy transition and grid modernisation objectives.

Economic and operational impact

For landowners along the route, the main impact is the potential loss of use or availability of part of their property, either temporarily during construction or permanently through a right-of-way easement. In both cases, the law recognises the right to compensation, the amount of which is determined in the expropriation proceedings.

From an operational standpoint, businesses or individuals engaged in agricultural, livestock, forestry or industrial activities on the affected land must anticipate possible interruptions or restrictions on use. It is essential to establish with precision whether the route crosses or affects their properties before making any investment or operational decisions regarding that land.

For the Asturian electricity system and northern Spain as a whole, the new line represents a reinforcement of transmission capacity at 400 kV, which may improve supply stability for industrial companies and large consumers in the region.

Who is affected?

• Landowners in Carreño (Asturias) whose properties lie along the route of the line between the Grado and Cardoso substations: they may receive notifications of the initiation of expropriation proceedings or right-of-way easement establishment.
• Red Eléctrica de España, SAU: the authorisation holder, responsible for executing the project and managing the expropriation and easement proceedings with affected property owners.
• Businesses operating on the affected land: agricultural, livestock, forestry or industrial operations active in the route area within the municipality of Carreño.
• Large industrial consumers in Asturias: will indirectly benefit from the improvement in electricity supply capacity and security in the region.

Practical example

A rural property owner in the municipality of Carreño receives a notification from Red Eléctrica de España informing them that their land is included in the route of the new 400 kV overhead line between the Grado and Cardoso substations.

At that point, the owner has the right to participate in the expropriation proceedings: they may submit representations regarding the valuation of their land, request information on the exact scope of the impact (whether it involves total expropriation, partial expropriation or only a right-of-way easement) and, if they disagree with the offered statutory price, appeal before the Jurado Provincial de Expropiación.

The public utility declaration has already been granted by the Resolution of 10 March 2026, so the owner cannot oppose the expropriation itself, but they retain full rights to defend the economic value of their property and to receive fair compensation for the impact.

What should those affected do now?

1. Verify whether your land is on the route: consult the administrative file for the Grado-Cardoso line at the Dirección General de Política Energética y Minas or at the territorial delegation for industry and energy in Asturias to confirm whether your property is affected.
2. Attend to official notifications: if you receive communication from Red Eléctrica de España regarding the initiation of expropriation or right-of-way easement proceedings, respond within the indicated deadlines. Failing to attend to notifications may prejudice your position in the proceedings.
3. Obtain an independent valuation of your land: before accepting any statutory price offer, commission an independent expert appraisal to establish the real value of the impact on your property.
4. Consult a lawyer specialising in expropriation: expropriation proceedings have specific deadlines and remedies. A professional with experience in expropriation law can help you maximise compensation and defend your rights.
5. Review lease or exploitation agreements on the affected land: if the affected land is leased or operated by third parties, review the contractual clauses to determine how the effects of the expropriation or easement are distributed.

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-2026-7427