A large-scale electrical interconnection project between France and Spain has been entrusted to a consortium that includes VINCI Energies. Its aim is to improve the security, stability and quality of the electricity supply in both countries and across the rest of Europe.
The Bay of Biscay electrical interconnector is expected to enter service in 2028. Spanning parts of both France and Spain, it will be constructed around two conversion plants, one in Gatika, near Bilbao in Spain, and the other in Cubnezais, in the Greater Bordeaux area of France. The two sites will be linked across the Bay of Biscay by 400 km of underground and undersea cables.
“Continuing to make progress toward European energy and climate targets”
The future line will double the electricity exchange capacity between the two countries to 5,000 MW, enough to power five million homes. INELFE (Interconnexion Électrique France-Espagne), a joint venture between the electricity distribution operators in Spain (Red Eléctrica) and France (RTE), has entrusted the design and construction of the two stations to a consortium of VINCI Energies, VINCI Construction and HITACHI Energy. As a designated Project of Common Interest (PCI), the project received a €578 million subsidy from the European Union.
Advancing the energy transition
Antoine Peyratout, Large Projects Vice-President at VINCI Energies, explains: “These installations, the role of which is to transform alternating current into direct current, are crucial in continuing to make progress toward European energy and climate targets, by providing improved transmission of electricity produced from low-carbon sources such as renewables and nuclear.”
Around a dozen VINCI Energies business units will be working on these two plants through to initial testing in 2027 and commissioning in 2028. The project is worth €300 million to the VINCI Group. “This cooperation between VINCI Energies and VINCI Construction will contribute to the development of our local business units and strengthen their ability to execute large-scale projects,” adds Antoine Peyratout.
10/17/2024
