Red Eléctrica, a subsidiary of Redeia responsible for the transmission and operation of the electricity system in Spain, has begun work on the new 220 kV Tierra Estella–Muruarte power line with a symbolic groundbreaking ceremony. The event was held at the future Oteiza substation and was attended by the chairwoman of Redeia, Beatriz Corredor; the president of Navarra, María Chivite; the Minister for Industry of the Regional Government, Mikel Irujo; the central government's delegate in Navarra, Alicia Echeverría; and the mayor of Oteiza, Rubén Martínez Landa, among other authorities.

With an investment of more than €25 million, this axis has been declared of regional interest by the Government of Navarra. It addresses the needs of companies and business associations for a higher quality of supply, enabling them to enhance their industrial activity and fostering economic growth in the area. Furthermore, it will improve the competitiveness of businesses, while also paving the way for new investments.

Beatriz Corredor, chairwoman of Redeia, highlighted 'the fundamental nature of these infrastructures at a time of opportunity for industrial development in Europe and Spain' and emphasised 'Red Eléctrica's commitment to Navarra to support it in this process and to provide it with the necessary capabilities to become a hub for attracting investment.' 

For María Chivite, president of Navarra: 'This new power line and the substation to be built in Oteiza will put an end to a long-standing energy deficit in Tierra Estella.

Navarra is the most industrialised community in Spain and, therefore, the most involved in industrial decarbonisation. We need to have the right electricity infrastructure to face this transition with confidence and also to welcome new energy-intensive industrial projects.'

Carlos Ros, president of Laseme – the association of companies in the Merindad of Estella – also celebrated the start of the works: 'This substation not only resolves the historical energy deficit of Tierra Estella but, in the current energy context, it becomes a unique future opportunity and a key element for the reindustrialisation of the region.'

A consensus-based project that promotes the ecological transition

The new axis consists of a 30 km line between the new Tierra Estella substation in Oteiza and the Muruarte substation, which has been expanded for the project.  The route was defined through an open and participatory process, which resulted in the best solution from a technical, social, and environmental standpoint, with reduced impact, and designed to meet the specific needs of the territory.

The new facilities will also allow for the integration of new renewable projects in an area with high wind power potential, as highlighted in Navarra's 2030 Energy Plan. In addition, connecting this power line to the new 400 kV Navarra–País Vasco axis that Red Eléctrica is planning will reinforce the robustness of the electricity system, boosting the integration of renewable energy and serving as a strategic axis for the new interconnection with France through the Bay of Biscay.

Redeia works to generate a positive impact in the territories where it operates through agreements with institutions and civil associations, with the aim of creating shared benefits for society. In this regard, the company has allocated more than €600,000 in recent years to social and environmental projects in Navarra, aimed at improving and renovating public buildings in the surrounding municipalities, preserving species such as the Golden Eagle, and preventing forest fires.