en.Wedoany.com Reported - Spain and Portugal have officially inaugurated a new 400 kV power interconnection linking the province of Pontevedra with the district of Viana do Castelo, increasing the exchange capacity between the two countries by approximately 1,000 megawatts, further strengthening the Iberian Peninsula's power system and advancing the energy transition. The project, jointly executed by Red Eléctrica (Spain) and Redes Energéticas Nacionais (REN, Portugal), has been designated a Project of Common Interest by the European Commission.

This interconnection line enables Spain to transmit up to 4,200 MW to Portugal, and Portugal to transmit up to 3,500 MW to Spain. It is estimated that 281 GWh of renewable energy can be integrated annually, reducing CO₂ emissions by 113,000 tons. The line connects the power systems of both countries through the Spanish provinces of Ourense and Pontevedra and the Portuguese district of Viana do Castelo, including the construction of the Bearíz 400 kV substation, the Fontefría 400/220 kV substation, and two new 400 kV lines: a 30 km line connecting the two substations, and a 21.7 km interconnection line from Fontefría to the Portuguese border. The Portuguese section is approximately 68 km long, extending from the border to the Ponte de Lima substation.

When selecting the cross-border crossing point, both companies considered sustainability, environmental and social criteria, and technical feasibility. The final connection point was established at Arbo (Pontevedra) and Melgaço (Viana do Castelo), choosing the narrowest crossing point of the Miño River (Río Miño) with the least environmental impact. During the line design process, studies and fieldwork were conducted to minimize territorial impact and protect historical and natural heritage, such as Serra do Cando, Serra do Candán, Serra do Suido, Serra de Pena Corneira, Río Tea, Peneda-Gerês National Park (Parque Nacional de Peneda-Gerês), the Sistelo Cultural Landscape (Paisaje Cultural de Sistelo), and the protected areas of the Miño and Lima rivers (ríos Miño y Lima). The route was also chosen to be as far as possible from existing homes.

Regarding project investment, Red Eléctrica, with financial support from the European Investment Bank (Banco Europeo de Inversiones) and the EU's Next Generation – Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan (Next Generation – Plan de Recuperación, Transformación y Resiliencia), invested €57.6 million in constructing the Spanish-side lines and substations. Including supporting infrastructure, the total investment exceeded €70 million. On the Portuguese side, investment exceeded €70 million, with €44 million allocated for new line construction and €26 million for the Ponte de Lima substation.