Endesa will invest €264.5 million in its distribution network in Catalonia in 2026
The electric company raises by 25% the amount destined for the network, up to the maximum allowed by regulation
BarcelonaEndesa, through its subsidiary e-distribución networks, will invest 264.5 million euros in the electricity distribution network of Catalonia during 2026, a figure that represents an increase of 25.6% compared to last year, as reported by the company this Friday. This investment is the maximum allowed by current regulation.
The electric company already indicated in the update of its strategic plan 2026-2028 that more than half of the planned resources will be allocated to strengthening distribution networks, which means increasing investment in networks by up to 40% over this three-year period, compared to the previous plan, and provided that regulatory conditions and investment limits allow it, the company assures.
The plan for this 2026 includes projects spread across the Catalan territory and emphasizes preparing the network for the energy scenario marked by the growing electrification of the economy, the energy transition, and the integration of new renewable energy sources. In this new scenario, infrastructures must grow to be able to respond to future demand and adapt, above all, to new technical and operational requirements.
In fact, the renewables model changes compared to the current one, as there are many more generation points that require a more meshed network with greater connection capacity, which also necessitates greater digitization.
The investment plan combines different areas of action. On the one hand, 75.2 million euros are allocated to maintenance. On average, approximately 33,400 programmed maintenance jobs are carried out each year. In parallel, 70.2 million euros will go to addressing new supply requests, in line with the increase in electricity demand, while 77.5 million euros are allocated to strengthening infrastructures to improve the quality and resilience of the service.
Furthermore, the company continues to advance in network digitization with an investment of 41.4 million euros, key for more efficient and flexible management. This investment is necessary to evolve from a traditional, unidirectional model towards a more dynamic network, capable of managing bidirectional energy flows from multiple sources, such as renewables or self-consumption, and supporting new uses like electric vehicles or data centers. Digitization also enables a more automated and resilient network, with the ability to operate remotely, reduce interruption times, and improve customer service.
All this translates into concrete actions on the ground. Specifically, in 2026, it is planned to work on more than 3,400 kilometers of power lines, with interventions in low voltage (1,726 km), medium voltage (1,386 km), and high voltage (313 km). To carry out these actions, it is projected to generate more than 2,900 indirect jobs.
Strategic Projects
Among the most relevant actions are the repowering of transformers and existing lines, the construction and expansion of substations, the deployment of new high-voltage lines or new connections to the transmission network, among others. The new 400/110 kV substation in Masdenverge (Montsià), conceived as a key connection point between the transmission and distribution network, stands out. This project is complemented by technological improvement actions on existing infrastructure, such as the renovation of the medium-voltage system of the Geltrú substation (Garraf) or the reform of the 110 kV yard of the Tordera substation (Maresme), as well as the repowering of the 110 kV lines Cambrils-Reus (Camp de Tarragona) or Bellcaire-Empordanet (Baix Empordà).
Actions are also being carried out to increase the transformation capacity at the Garraf substation (in the county of the same name) and the Mas Figueres substation (Vallès Occidental), with the incorporation, respectively, of a new 400/110 kV transformer and another 100/25 kV transformer, in addition to technological reforms and expansions in substations such as Sant Celoni (Vallès Oriental) and Boí (Alta Ribagorça), where the installation of new transformers is planned to strengthen the supply.
2.5 times the circumference of the Earth
According to the company, this investment plan does not depend solely on the company's will, but also on the regulatory framework and the planning of the electricity system. For this reason, the company claims that the limit of regulated investment should be increased to be able to respond to the increase in demand and new energy needs. At the same time, the deployment of the transport network planning will also be decisive, which depends on other companies such as Red Eléctrica, which must guarantee that this additional capacity can be integrated and distributed efficiently throughout the system.
Endesa serves 4.5 million customers in Catalonia and has an extensive distribution network: 100,425 kilometers of electricity lines, the equivalent of going around planet Earth 2.5 times.