RTE (France) and REE (Spain) signed the framework contract commissioning the INELFE company to carry out the electricity interconnection project between Spain and France, building a new line that will link the Santa Llogaia and Baixas substations.
INELFE (Electrical Interconnection France-Spain), created in October 2008, is a joint society equally owned by both the Spanish and French electricity grid managers for the development of this new interconnection line between both countries.
After signing this framework contract, INELFE will start the tender process for the various parts of the project, which should be resolved prior to the end of the summer 2010. The beginning of the line construction phase is forecasted for the beginning of 2011 and is due to be completed by the end of 2013. This 400 kV line will link the Santa Llogaia substation in Spain with the Baixas substation in France, through La Junquera, in the eastern Pyrenees. The 70-km section of line which will cross the border will be undergrounded using the trench system in order to minimise environmental impact.