Red Eléctrica de España and its French counterpart Réseau de Transport d’Électricité have began public consultations on the interconnector project between Spain and France in the Gulf of Biscay.
The new 370 kilometers long electric link should strengthen the interconnection between Spain and France as well as the connection with the rest of Europe, improve safety and security of supply and allow greater integration of renewable energies, Red Eléctrica explained.
It will be the first submarine interconnection between Spain and France, which should increase the capacity of exchange from the current 2,800 megawatts (MW) to 5,000 MW.
With an approximate budget of EUR 1,750 million and an expected completion date in 2025, it was declared a common interest project by the European Commission and the European Parliament in October 2013.
The length of the submarine section will be about 280 kilometers, while the terrestrial section will be 10 kilometers in Spain and 80 kilometers in France.
Red Eléctrica plans to hold, during the last quarter of 2017, meetings with the municipalities affected by the project to explain its scope.