Trinidad Sala: "Power lines are becoming the key driver for boosting industry in Catalonia"

Trinidad Sala has held the position of Redeia's delegate in Catalonia for just over a year, but in that time she has had to take on the management of important projects closely linked to the country's economic and social development and the energy transformation of its main companies. According to Sala, "we are boosting the Catalan economy with electrical infrastructure essential for the country's future."

What will electrical corridors like the one linking Escatrón with La Secuita or the one running from Peñalba to Los Granaderos mean for Catalonia?

— The Escatrón-Los Aubales-La Secuita project involves the complete renovation of an old power line that connected Aragon with the Camp de Tarragona region. This renovation includes increased power capacity and guaranteed supply for key projects such as the decarbonization of the chemical industry in Tarragona and the industrial development of the southern districts. In the case of Penyalba-Magraners, this line is essential for the economic development and urban growth of the city of Lleida.

The chemical industry in Tarragona has long been demanding the necessary electricity supply to undertake its energy transformation and the numerous decarbonization projects it has planned. Will there be enough energy to meet this challenge?

— Planned investments in electrical infrastructure in Tarragona currently exceed €200 million. Regardless of future plans, current projects guarantee a boost to the decarbonization of the chemical industry, just as we are doing in other sectors such as supporting the energy transformation of the automotive industry in Catalonia, with the new substation we have built in Abrera and the new substation at the Port of Barcelona, ​​which is enabling its commencement. We are driving the Catalan economy with essential electrical infrastructure for the future of the region.

At a time when society is much more demanding and much more engaged, how can the need for new electrical infrastructure coexist with the social rejection associated with this type of project?

— For years, at Redeia we have worked through ongoing dialogue with the local communities and all stakeholders. This means that the projects we develop are always the result of broad consensus and listening to all voices. Our ethos is to be good neighbors in every project we undertake, and therefore, we work collaboratively and by constantly listening to the communities where we operate. We are very pleased with this approach because the end result is always infrastructure that directly benefits the communities they serve. Ultimately, we end up building the power lines and infrastructure that the communities themselves have requested for their development.

What investment has the current planning entailed for Catalonia?

— The current planning includes projects in Catalonia worth just over 400 million euros, representing a significant investment primarily associated with economic development. We have already completed a large part of the planned projects, such as, to give specific examples, the Mas Figueres - Palau line, the Magraners-Espluga-Begues line (which is currently under construction), the Francolí substation, the Masdenverge substation, the Abrera substation, the Cerdà substation, and many other projects.

Is there a spirit of collaboration between the different administrations and Redeia in these key projects?

— There is not only collaboration but also constant communication. The support of the various government bodies is essential to carrying out these crucial projects for the country's development. And it shows. We work side by side, reaching consensus on all actions taken.