en.Wedoany.com Reported - Red Eléctrica, the Spanish power system operator, has completed the upgrade of the 400 kV Barcina-Santa Engracia line, aimed at increasing transmission capacity in the La Rioja and Burgos regions and strengthening power delivery in the Ebro Valley. The project, with an investment of €1.6 million, involves infrastructure spanning 94.7 kilometers, connecting the Barcina substation in Burgos and the Santa Engracia del Jubera substation in La Rioja.

Red Eléctrica has modified 58 of the line's 220 towers. By employing different construction and operational techniques, the transmission capacity has been successfully increased without raising the height of most modified components.

Among the 58 towers modified, 40 were adapted without requiring height increases. This approach minimizes physical alterations to the modified towers while improving the performance of the existing infrastructure.

The 400 kV Barcina-Santa Engracia line spans two provinces, crossing a total of 32 municipalities. Eight of these are in Burgos, and the remaining 24 are in La Rioja, making this line a crucial transmission corridor connecting the two regions and enhancing the Ebro area's power grid.

This upgrade is part of the current Electric Transmission Network Planning (approved by the Council of Ministers). This plan is binding for Red Eléctrica and specifies the grid improvement actions planned to meet the needs of the power system.

Alongside the capacity increase, Red Eléctrica has installed bird protection devices in accordance with current regulations. This measure aims to reduce risks to birds along the line and is part of the environmental actions associated with this upgrade.

The installation of these devices aligns with the sustainability goals of Redeia, the parent company of Red Eléctrica. This upgrade combines increased transmission capacity with specific environmental protection measures on the existing infrastructure.