The Deputy Government Representative in Álava, Noemí López Fernández, has visited Red Eléctrica’s substation in Hernani, where she was received by Red Eléctrica’s Regional Delegate for the northern area, Antonio González Urquijo. There, she was able to see first-hand how this substation is a key and strategic piece of infrastructure for the region, as it acts as a fundamental electrical node linking Bizkaia, Álava and France. In fact, it was through this substation that the restoration of supply began following the nationwide blackout on 28 April.

The interconnection line with France originates at this substation and runs to the French station of Argia. This line has recently been upgraded using a cutting-edge technology never before applied in Europe: the Amp‑jack technique. This is a pioneering method for raising electricity pylons that avoids the use of large cranes, which until now were required to carry out this type of work.

In this way, Red Eléctrica and RTE, its French counterpart, have worked on 25 kilometres of line on each side of the border with the aim of increasing transmission capacity from 1,600 MVA (megavolt-amperes) to 2,100 MVA, without the need to build any new infrastructure.

This technological commitment reaffirms Red Eléctrica’s dedication to technological innovation, energy efficiency and sustainability, while also helping to strengthen the security and robustness of Spain’s electricity system and electricity exchanges with Europe.

In addition, the Deputy Government Representative in Álava, María del Mar Dabán, has visited the electrical substation in Vitoria, where she was received by Red Eléctrica’s Regional Delegate for the northern area, Antonio González Urquijo. There, she was able to verify first-hand that this is a strategic facility, acting as a key electricity transmission node linking Bizkaia, Gipuzkoa and the central Spanish plateau.

This substation also hosts the first STATCOM implemented by Red Eléctrica in Spain, which has been in operation for more than two years, increasing system security and making better use of transmission capacity.

Located twelve kilometres from the capital of Álava, between Arzubiaga and Uribarri‑Arrazua, this 400 kV substation supplies the city of Vitoria and the surrounding industrial areas.