Bay of Biscay: Spain-France electrical interconnection works are progressing well with European support.

 

The works of the ambitious electrical interconnection between Spain and France the Bay of Biscay are making significant progress, as confirmed by a delegation from the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA). Representatives of the European Commission visited this week the infrastructure sites on both sides of the border, in towns such as Gatika and Lemoniz in Euskadi, and Cubnezais, Ambès and Seignosse in France, highlighting the strategic importance of the project for the European Single Market and the Union as a whole.

 

In the Basque Country, construction is progressing with the start of civil engineering work on the buildings that will house the new converter station on the section connecting Gatika with Cubnezais. Electric Network, responsible for the work on the Spanish side through Inelfe (owned 50% with its French counterpart RTE), has begun the construction of two structures that will be integrated into the landscape through plant screens, thus minimizing their visual impact.

 

The CINEA delegation was able to witness the steady pace of work in both countries, as well as the advanced technologies being implemented to minimize environmental impact. France, the converter buildings are under construction, and significant progress has been made in the excavation for the two power lines and in the land accesses in Porge, Seignosse and CapbretonIn Spain, directed drilling has begun in Lemoniz, adding to the microtunnels already built in France for submarine cable access to the sea.

 

This interconnection project has been declared Project of Common Interest (PCI) by the European Union, which has earned it a €578 million grant through CINEA's Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) program. This funding mechanism supports the development of trans-European energy networks.

 

Submarine interconnection is considered crucial for the transition to a decarbonized economy in Europe. By doubling the electricity exchange capacity between Spain and France up to 5.000 MW, will strengthen the security and quality of supply, facilitate the integration of renewable energies, increase the efficiency of electrical systems and generate savings for consumers.

 

The link, which will connect the electrical systems through two 400 kV lines from Gatika to Cubnezais, near Bordeaux, will be developed entirely underground and underwater to minimize its environmental impact. Inelfe is working with specialized companies such as NKT HV Cables and Prysmian Powerlink for the installation of submarine cables, the FASSET consortium for terrestrial cables and the consortium HITACHI ENERGY/VINCI for the converters.

 

It is estimated that the implementation of this infrastructure will allow both countries to benefit from 7.430 GWh/year of emission-free electricity, equivalent to the consumption of approximately two million homes. Furthermore, a reduction of 600.000 tons in the carbon footprint of electricity production in Europe is expected.

 

This project, considered key in European Grid Planning and the Spanish National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan, marks an important step toward greater energy integration and a more sustainable future for Europe.