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Spain’s Grid Standoff Deepens as Utilities Demand Emergency Plan to Avert Connection Freeze

Regulatory delays plus disputed capacity figures leave planners unable to assure new high‑load connections.

Overview

  • The CNMC postponed publication of transmission capacity maps to April due to a lack of agreement between REE and distributors on requested, granted and pending capacity across most high‑voltage nodes.
  • Distributors’ own maps show about 88% of distribution nodes are fully saturated, and sector sources warn new data centres and electrolysers are unlikely to secure connections under current planning.
  • Aelec urges a fast‑track mechanism to accelerate transmission build‑out and to let distributors invest in transport assets, challenging REE’s monopoly over the high‑voltage grid.
  • REE rejects claims of a precarious system, says it has nearly quadrupled transmission investment since 2020 to exceed €1.5 billion by 2025, and criticises distributors for cutting domestic network spending while seeking a role in transmission.
  • Utilities seek legal changes for more agile planning decisions without cabinet‑level sign‑off and emergency tools, citing Law 9/2025, to add substation positions and safeguard already granted access.