Moreruela 400 kV Substation Authorized: Key Points for the Energy Sector in Zamora

Key data

Red Eléctrica de España, SAU, has had since September 26, 2026 prior administrative authorization and construction authorization to build the new Moreruela 400 kV substation in the Zamora municipalities of Moreruela de los Infanzones and Piedrahita de Castro. The resolution, signed by the General Directorate of Energy Policy and Mines, also includes the declaration of public utility of the installation, which opens the way for forced occupation of the necessary land.

This authorization is the result of a process that included a favorable Environmental Impact Declaration (EIA) issued in June 2025, with technical and environmental conditions that must be met before the start of work.

What does this regulation establish?

The resolution grants Red Eléctrica de España two simultaneous authorizations: the prior administrative authorization (which enables the project) and the administrative construction authorization (which permits execution of the work). Both are accompanied by the declaration of public utility, an instrument that facilitates expropriation or easement of the affected land.

The authorized infrastructure is configured as follows:

In addition to energy authorizations, Red Eléctrica must comply with a series of additional conditions before starting work:

• Obtain aeronautical easement authorization from the State Aviation Safety Agency (AESA).
• Comply with the conditions imposed by the Municipality of Moreruela de los Infanzones.
• Comply with the conditions of the National Geographic Institute (IGN).
• Conduct a survey of threatened fauna in the area before the start of work.
• Install anti-collision devices for birds every 5 meters on all overhead cables.
• Budget all environmental measures in the project before the start of work.

Economic and operational impact

The authorization marks the formal start of a high-voltage electrical infrastructure project in Zamora. For Red Eléctrica, the declaration of public utility is a key instrument: it allows accelerating land occupation without the need for voluntary agreement with owners, which significantly reduces timelines and project blockage risks.

From an operational perspective, environmental conditions have direct implications for project planning and budget:

• The survey of threatened fauna must be conducted before the start of work, which may condition the execution schedule based on the results obtained.
• Anti-collision devices for birds, with a maximum spacing of 5 meters between units on overhead cables, represent an installation cost that must be budgeted in the project from the start.
• The need to obtain AESA authorization may add an additional step to the startup schedule.

For the affected municipalities and landowners in the area, the declaration of public utility means that their land may be subject to expropriation or easement if necessary for the installation.

Who does it affect?

• Red Eléctrica de España, SAU: holder of the authorizations and responsible for complying with all technical, environmental and institutional conditions before and during construction.
• Landowners in Moreruela de los Infanzones and Piedrahita de Castro (Zamora): may be affected by expropriations or easements resulting from the declaration of public utility.
• Municipality of Moreruela de los Infanzones: its conditions are mandatory for Red Eléctrica.
• State Aviation Safety Agency (AESA): must issue aeronautical easement authorization before the start of work.
• National Geographic Institute (IGN): its conditions are also mandatory.
• Energy and construction sector companies operating as contractors or subcontractors in the project.

Practical example

Imagine Red Eléctrica begins the work planning process in the first quarter of 2027. Before being able to drive the first stake, the project team must have completed the following mandatory steps derived from this resolution:

1. Commissioning and execution of the threatened fauna survey in the area of Moreruela de los Infanzones and Piedrahita de Castro. If protected species are detected, the work schedule may be conditioned to periods of lower faunal activity.
2. Request and obtaining of AESA aeronautical easement authorization. This procedure may require additional weeks or months depending on the administrative burden of the agency.
3. Inclusion in the work budget of anti-collision devices for birds, at a rate of one unit every 5 meters in all overhead cable sections of the installation.
4. Verification of compliance with the conditions of the Municipality of Moreruela de los Infanzones and the IGN before obtaining the layout approval.

Any contractor bidding for work on this project must take into account that these conditions are prior to the start of execution and that non-compliance could halt work or generate liabilities for Red Eléctrica as the promoter.

What should companies do now?

1. Red Eléctrica: immediately initiate procedures with AESA for aeronautical easement authorization, as this is a condition prior to the start of work that can create bottlenecks in the schedule.
2. Red Eléctrica project team: commission the threatened fauna survey in the action area before setting the final work schedule, to avoid work stoppages due to findings of protected species.
3. Budget managers: include in the construction project the cost of anti-collision devices for birds (every 5 meters on overhead cables) and all environmental measures derived from the June 2025 EIA. This budget must be finalized before the start of work.
4. Legal and expropriation department: activate the negotiation process with affected landowners, relying on the declaration of public utility to expedite agreements or initiate expropriation proceedings if necessary.
5. Landowners in the area: review whether their plots are included in the scope of the declaration of public utility and, if so, seek advice on their rights in the expropriation process.
6. Contractors and auxiliary companies: incorporate environmental and administrative conditions in their bids as prerequisites to the start of execution, to avoid penalties for delays attributable to non-compliance by the promoter.

Official source

Consult complete regulation at official source

Notice: This article is for informational purposes only 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-2026-19993