Energy Union: New Spain-Portugal power interconnector inaugurated

On 2 July, the European Commission celebrated the inauguration of the electricity interconnector between Spain and Portugal. The commissioning of this new infrastructure project linking northern Portugal and Galicia, in north-western Spain, marks a key milestone in the energy sector. The project increases cross-border electricity transmission capacity by 1,000 MW, bringing the total to 4,200 MW from Spain to Portugal and 3,500 MW from Portugal to Spain.

The interconnector represents a significant boost for both systems, increasing efficiency and facilitating the integration of more renewable energy – estimated at an additional 281 GWh per year – with a consequent reduction in CO₂ emissions of 113,000 tonnes annually. This project, carried out by the transmission system operators (TSOs)Red Eléctricain SpainandRENin Portugal, will boost energy independence in both countries and contribute to the completion of the Energy Union. This milestone underlines the importance of coordinated EU action, in particular through the High-Level Group on Interconnections in South-West Europe (HLG-SWE), and represents a further step towards achieving the EU’s target of 15 per cent electricity interconnection by 2030.

The EU Commissioner for Energy and Housing, Dan Jørgensen, said

“I wholeheartedly welcome the inauguration of this key energy link between Spain and Portugal. Cross-border electricity interconnections are essential for integrating more renewable energy into our system and, consequently, reducing energy prices. A stronger European Union must be based on a robust internal electricity market.”

Cross-border interconnections are essential for strengthening the resilience of the electricity system, improving competitiveness by reducing electricity prices, and facilitating the large-scale integration of renewable energy across all Member States. The project has received support from the European Commission through its inclusion on the EU’s list of Projects of Common Interest (PCI) and within the framework of the High-Level Group on Interconnections in South-West Europe.

More information: European Commission