Red Eléctrica, Redeia’s subsidiary responsible for electricity transmission and system operation in Spain, is moving forward with the administrative process for the new electricity link between Menorca and Mallorca, one of the key projects for the energy future of the Islas Baleares. The project has now entered its public consultation phase. This crucial step will provide society with full access to information on the design and configuration of the infrastructure, while enabling public participation.

The project was included in Annex II of the current 2021 2026 Planning, which covers projects with a time horizon beyond 2026. In anticipation, Red Eléctrica had already begun defining and designing the project. Thanks to this preliminary work carried out by the company, the process has now reached this important milestone. Additionally, the new Electricity Planning, whose draft includes this new link, is currently undergoing studies after having completed its public consultation phase as part of the corresponding strategic environmental assessment process.

The construction of the future link between Mallorca and Menorca is the most decisive piece of infrastructure for Menorca’s energy future, alongside the batteries currently being installed at the Mercadal substation. This battery system, a pioneering project in Europe, will become part of Islas Baleares’ electricity transmission grid. It will also maximise the transmission capacity of both the existing Mallorca–Menorca link and the new submarine interconnection.

Redeia's Chairwoman, Beatriz Corredor; the Secretary of State for Energy, Joan Groizard; the President of the Consell de Menorca, Adolfo Vilafranca; the Islas Baleares Government's Minister for Business, Self-Employment and Energy, Alejandro Sáenz de San Pedro; the Government Delegate in Baleares, Alfonso Rodríguez; and the mayors and mayoresses of Ciutadella, Maó, Sant Lluís, Es Mercadal, Alaior, Es Castell, Migjorn Gran and Ferreries, among other authorities, guests and representatives of Red Eléctrica and the project team, took part today in the public presentation event for the future link, held at the Consell de Menorca. Afterwards, they visited the Mercadal substation to see first-hand the progress of the battery installation works.

Corredor highlighted institutional cooperation and collaboration with civil society in the region as key drivers of the project: ‘The solutions we reach together through collaboration are the best possible, as they stem from dialogue aimed at achieving maximum grid integration, maximum security and quality of supply, and the least possible impact on the landscape and biodiversity.’

Representing the central government, the Secretary of State for Energy, Joan Groizard, explained: ‘Today, with the launch of this participation process for the future second connection with Mallorca, along with the upcoming batteries at Es Mercadal, we are laying the foundations for a renewable Menorca, a Menorca with self-consumption capabilities that will receive renewable energy from Mallorca and that will also contribute to Islas Baleares receiving renewable energy. All of this, in a single day, and every day.’

The President of the Consell de Menorca, Adolfo Vilafranca, stated that ‘this project not only strengthens the security of Menorca’s electricity system, but also represents an essential step toward a cleaner, more stable and more efficient energy model. We are confident that this project will mark a turning point and provide the definitive boost for Menorca to securely progress toward the sustainable energy model that society demands and the future requires.’

Meanwhile, the Balearic regional minister, Alejandro Sáenz de San Pedro, explained that ‘the second link between Menorca and Mallorca is a strategic piece of infrastructure for the island’s energy future. Menorca cannot depend on a single electricity link, so this second interconnection decisively strengthens the security and stability of the system. From the Government of Islas Baleares, we are acting with planning and foresight to ensure that the island has the energy resilience it deserves.’

The fact that the project for the new Mallorca–Menorca link was already included in an annex of the current Planning has allowed Red Eléctrica to work since 2022 on both preliminary marine environment studies and on assessing the different landfall and routing alternatives in Menorca, even before drafting the project and its environmental impact assessment. 

Red Eléctrica has already invested more than €3 million in marine environment and technical-environmental studies required for drafting the project, in the Menorca portion alone.

In addition, the project is tied to the second Peninsular–Islas Baleares link (Pen-Bal 2), with which it shares electrical, administrative and physical connections. In fact, to minimise its impact on the region, both projects share the same onshore route in Mallorca and the same offshore exit point toward the peninsula and Menorca, respectively. This has also meant that, from the outset, all the requirements of the Mallorca–Menorca interconnection have been incorporated into both the preliminary study phases and the definition of the Pen-Bal 2 project, from the characterisation of the marine environment at its exit toward Menorca to the technical specificities of the future infrastructure.

Features of the new Mallorca-Menorca link:

The future Mallorca–Menorca interconnection consists of a 132 kV alternating current circuit between a new substation in Alcúdia, Mallorca (Sant Martí 132 kV), and a new substation in Ciutadella, Menorca (Lithica 132 kV).

It will span a total length of 82 km, of which 64.5 km will be submarine, reaching a maximum depth of 146 m. The onshore route will extend for 13.7 km in Mallorca and 3.8 km in Menorca.

When defining the project, priority has been given to selecting the submarine route and landfall point with the least possible impact on the European Habitat of Community Interest (HCI) of Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadows and reefs, while also minimising the impact on the fishing sector. The link will come ashore in the Punta de Son Oleo area.

As for the onshore route, the decision has been made to use the road right-of-way wherever possible to keep disruption to a minimum. The new substation will be built in an already developed industrial area opposite the cemetery, on the other side of the Ciutadella ring road toward Maó, in order to reduce its environmental and visual impact. The entire process has been carried out in coordination with the Consell de Menorca and the Ciutadella town council.

Benefits of the new interconnection:

Once commissioned, the new link will significantly strengthen the quality and security of electricity supply on the island of Menorca while drastically reducing the need to operate local thermal generation (the Maó power plant). It will also enable the greater integration of renewable energies into the Balearic electricity system under secure operating conditions (26,887 MWh/year). 

As a result of these benefits, CO₂ emissions in Menorca are expected to decrease by 154,000 tonnes per year, contributing to the islands’ sustainability and decarbonisation efforts. It will also improve system efficiency through cost savings of approximately €36.3 million a year. 

Battery installation at Mercadal substation progressing well

In parallel with progress on the administrative process for the upcoming second interconnection, Red Eléctrica has already begun the electromechanical installation phase of the battery system at the Mercadal substation.

The project involves installing battery modules at the 132 kV Mercadal substation, providing a total output of 50 MW and 37.5 MWh of energy storage capacity. The project, included in the current Planning, represents an investment of €50 million.

The batteries will be fully integrated into the transmission grid. This way, they will maximise the contribution from the links within the interconnected Balearic electricity system —specifically the existing Menorca–Mallorca link (MA-ME 2) and the future one (MA-ME 3)— delivering major benefits for a competitive energy transition, including lower system costs and reduced CO₂ emissions. This additional contribution from the interconnections will also enhance the quality and security of electricity supply.

The battery system essentially consists of a series of modular containers that house all necessary equipment, ensuring full compliance with safety and environmental control standards.

The batteries are expected to be fully installed after the summer. This stage will be followed by a testing phase prior to commissioning, in line with the current 2021–2026 Planning schedule.