Key data
| Regulation | Resolution of 23 September 2026, from the General Directorate of Energy Policy and Mines |
|---|---|
| Publication | 20 October 2026 |
| Entry into force | 20 October 2026 |
| Affected parties | Red Eléctrica de España, SAU; electricity sector; citizens of Extremadura (indirectly) |
| Category | Energy |
| Year | 2026 |
| Compensator power | 250 MVA |
| Substation voltage | 400 kV |
| Location | Jerez de los Caballeros, Badajoz (Extremadura) |
| Reference framework | Transport Network Development Plan 2021-2026 (approved by Council of Ministers, July 2025) |
| CNMC Report | Favorable, issued on 30 July 2026 |
| Official source | BOE-A-2026-21857 |
The Brovales substation, located in Jerez de los Caballeros (Badajoz), adds a new critical asset to Spain's electricity transmission network. The Resolution of 23 September 2026 from the General Directorate of Energy Policy and Mines grants Red Eléctrica de España, SAU both prior administrative authorization and administrative construction authorization to install a 250 MVA synchronous compensator in the 400 kV yard of that substation.
The project does not arise in isolation: it is part of the Transport Network Development Plan 2021-2026, approved by the Council of Ministers in July 2025, whose objective is to increase resilience and quality of electricity supply at the national level. The CNMC issued a favorable report on 30 July 2026, clearing the way for final authorization.
What does this regulation establish?
The resolution grants two types of simultaneous authorization to Red Eléctrica de España for the expansion of the Brovales substation:
- Prior administrative authorization: legally enables the project before construction begins.
- Administrative construction authorization: permits physical execution of works and installations.
The central element is the installation of a 250 MVA synchronous compensator and its associated position in the 400 kV yard. A synchronous compensator is a rotating electrical machine that regulates voltage and improves dynamic stability of the network, particularly relevant in areas with high renewable energy penetration such as Extremadura.
The most relevant procedural aspects of this resolution are:
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Timeline reduction | Authorization timelines were cut in half due to the urgent nature of the project |
| Environmental assessment | Excluded, as it is located at an existing substation |
| Municipal license | Not required, as it is state transmission network infrastructure |
| CNMC Report | Favorable, issued on 30 July 2026 |
| Regulatory framework | Transport Network Development Plan 2021-2026 (approved by Council of Ministers, July 2025) |
Red Eléctrica must, however, comply with a series of specific technical conditions in three areas:
- Road infrastructure: conditions for access and impact on roads during construction.
- Archaeological heritage: monitoring protocol and procedures for possible findings during works.
- Hydrology: measures for protection of watercourses and water management in the substation area.
Economic and operational impact
For Red Eléctrica de España, this authorization means the execution of an investment in critical transmission network infrastructure. Although the resolution does not detail the investment amount, the installation of a 250 MVA synchronous compensator in a 400 kV yard is a project of significant technical and economic scope within the sector.
From an operational perspective, the most relevant impacts are:
- Greater system resilience: the synchronous compensator improves voltage stability in the transmission network of the southwestern peninsula, reducing the risk of supply disruptions.
- Exceptional administrative agility: the reduction of timelines by half and the exclusion of environmental assessment significantly accelerate commissioning compared to similar projects.
- No municipal burden: the exemption from municipal licensing eliminates a common source of delays and indirect costs in electricity infrastructure projects.
- Technical conditions to manage: the three areas of conditions (road, archaeological, and hydrological) involve compliance costs and coordination with sectoral administrations during construction.
For the business and industrial fabric of Extremadura, a more robust transmission network translates into higher quality and security of electricity supply, a critical factor for energy-intensive industries, agribusiness, and data centers located in the region.
Who does it affect?
- Red Eléctrica de España, SAU: holder of the authorizations and responsible for execution, compliance with conditions, and commissioning of the synchronous compensator.
- National electricity sector: system operators, distributors, and retailers that benefit from a more stable transmission network in the southwestern peninsula.
- Industrial and energy-intensive companies in Extremadura: indirect improvement in the quality and security of electricity supply in the area.
- Renewable energy developers in the region: a more robust transmission system facilitates the integration of new renewable generation in Extremadura.
- Sectoral administrations: bodies responsible for archaeological heritage, hydrology, and roads that must coordinate compliance with technical conditions with Red Eléctrica.
- Citizens of Extremadura: indirect beneficiaries of greater resilience and quality of electricity supply.
Practical example
An agribusiness company with a production facility in the province of Badajoz, which depends on continuous electricity supply for its processing lines and refrigerated chambers, will indirectly benefit from this project. The installation of the 250 MVA synchronous compensator at Brovales strengthens voltage stability in the 400 kV yard that supplies the distribution network in the area.
In practical terms: in the event of a network disturbance (for example, a sudden disconnection of renewable generation in the region), the synchronous compensator acts as a buffer, reducing the probability of voltage drops that could interrupt production or damage sensitive equipment. For this company, this translates into lower risk of unplanned shutdowns and less dependence on their own backup systems.
For Red Eléctrica, the immediate operational challenge is to manage the three technical conditions: coordinate with the road administration for access to the substation during works, establish the required archaeological protocol, and apply hydrological measures in the area of Jerez de los Caballeros, all without needing to process a municipal license.
What should companies do now?
- Red Eléctrica de España: begin work planning complying with technical conditions in road infrastructure, archaeological heritage, and hydrology before starting work in Jerez de los Caballeros.
- Operators and electricity sector agents: update network models of the southwestern peninsula to incorporate the new 250 MVA synchronous compensator at Brovales once it is commissioned.
- Renewable developers in Extremadura: review connection studies and transmission network access in the area, as the improvement of the Brovales substation may expand the capacity for integrating new generation.
- Energy-intensive industrial companies in Badajoz: no immediate action is required, but it is advisable to monitor the commissioning schedule of the compensator to anticipate improvements in supply quality.
- Administrations and engineering consultancies: note the procedure applied (timeline reduction by half, exclusion of environmental assessment at existing substation) as a reference for future urgent electricity infrastructure projects.
Frequently asked questions
What is a synchronous compensator and what is its purpose in a 400 kV substation?
A synchronous compensator is a rotating electrical machine that regulates voltage and improves dynamic stability of the electricity network. At the Brovales substation, the 250 MVA compensator will act as a buffer against disturbances in the system, particularly relevant in a region with high renewable energy penetration such as Extremadura.
Why were authorization timelines cut in half for this project?
The resolution applies an urgent procedure that reduces authorization timelines by half compared to the ordinary procedure. This measure is justified by the priority nature of the project within the Transport Network Development Plan 2021-2026, approved by the Council of Ministers in July 2025 to increase system resilience.
Does Red Eléctrica need a municipal license to build at the Brovales substation?
No. As it is state transmission network infrastructure, the installation is exempt from municipal licensing. However, it must comply with the technical conditions established in the resolution regarding road infrastructure, archaeological heritage, and hydrology.
What technical conditions must Red Eléctrica comply with in this work?
The resolution establishes three areas of technical conditions: road infrastructure (access and impact on roads during construction), archaeological heritage (monitoring protocol for possible findings), and hydrology (measures for protection of watercourses and water management in the substation area in Jerez de los Caballeros, Badajoz).
Did this project require environmental impact assessment?
No. The installation was excluded from environmental assessment as it is located at an existing substation. This criterion is relevant as a precedent for future expansion projects of existing electricity infrastructure.
Official source
View complete regulation at official source
Disclaimer: 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-2026-21857
