Spain’s electricity distribution grid has 67 GW of access requests, mainly linked to new residential and industrial developments, El Español reported on October 29. El Español said the distribution-grid access requests highlight the need to reinforce infrastructure before residential and industrial projects can connect.
El Español said the 2026 sector report from the Association of Electrical Equipment Manufacturers (AFME) identifies structural deficiencies and a lack of available grid capacity as threats to the energy transition. AFME sees reinforcement as an opportunity for suppliers of equipment, components, automation, protection, control and digitalisation solutions. Applications for grid access and connection permits must still be submitted to the relevant network operator.
According to El Español’s account of AFME’s report, a framework under Royal Decree 640/2026 could mobilise up to €17.9 billion between 2027 and 2030, including €10.2 billion for distribution networks and up to €7.7 billion for transmission.
Separately, Spain’s government said in September that its proposed transmission-network plan through 2030 would involve more than €17 billion of investment. Following consultation, proposed transmission connection points for new distribution-network demand rose 52% to 300.
The CNMC published two maps of available grid capacity on October 7. Covering generation and demand, they consolidate information previously spread across network operators’ websites and will be updated monthly. The capacity figures are informational and cannot be added across nodes; applications for access and connection permits must still go to the relevant network operator.
