Extremadura declares three high-voltage lines in Cáceres to be of public utility

The Industrial, Energy, and Mining Planning Service of the Regional Government of Extremadura has specifically declared as being of public utility the facilities of the project for new 45 kV high-voltage underground lines linking the substations of Cáceres. The decision, adopted by resolution on September 28, 2026, is published in the Official Gazette of Extremadura (DOE) number 195, dated October 8, 2026, with official reference 2026062510 and case number AT-9671.

The declaration enables the compulsory expropriation of the assets and rights necessary to execute the works, and implies urgent occupation for the purposes of Article 52 of the Law of December 16, 1954, on Compulsory Expropriation. The procedure is processed in accordance with Law 24/2013, of December 26, on the Electricity Sector, Title VII, Chapter V of Royal Decree 1955/2000, of December 1, and Decree 221/2012, of November 9, regarding the determination of the means of publishing public information notices in the energy and hydrocarbon sectors.

The application was submitted by i-DE Redes Eléctricas Inteligentes, SAU, with registered office at calle Periodista Sánchez Asensio, 1, Cáceres, on April 16, 2025. The facilities already had prior administrative authorization and administrative construction authorization, both granted by the same service.

Three underground routes and 9.819 kilometers of conductor

The authorized project comprises three new high-voltage underground lines, in single circuit and with a service voltage of 45 kV:

• “El Cuartillo” line: link between the “Los Arenales” SS and the “Cáceres” SS, with 5.039 kilometers.
• “Las Minas” line: link between the “Los Arenales” SS and the “Cáceres-2” RSS, with 4.725 kilometers.
• “San Francisco 1” line: undergrounding of the span between supports 9004 and 9005 of the “Cáceres” SS, with 0.055 kilometers.

The total length of the conductor amounts to 9.819 kilometers. HEPRZ1 (AS) 26/45 kV 3x(1x630) mm² type conductors will be used inside the substation up to the first splice chamber, and HEPRZ1 26/45 kV 3x(1x630) mm² in the rest of the route.

The works are carried out on public and private plots located next to the N-630 highway, Hilanderas street of the Las Capellanías industrial estate, Río Salor street, Las Villuercas street, the V Centenario Roundabout, and Remedios Buendía street.

Dismantling of the overhead line and undergrounding of fiber optics

The resolution incorporates other complementary actions. Among them is the undergrounding of fiber optics between existing support 9000 and the splices with the fiber optics descending from the current support 9005, which will be dismantled, with a total length of 1.060 kilometers and rodent-proof underground optical cable of type OSGZ1-64/16, on municipal land in the streets of Río Salor, Las Villuercas, Glorieta V Centenario, and Remedios Buendía.

Likewise, the section of the high-voltage overhead line 3078-24 “Plasencia” from the “Cáceres” substation located between supports 9000 and 9005, with a length of 704 linear meters, will be dismantled, along with intermediate supports 9001, 9002, 9003, and 9004 and the aforementioned support 9005. The section of overhead conductor of line 3078-21 “San Francisco 1” between supports 9004 and 9005, spanning 49 linear meters, will also be removed.

Without allegations and with urgent expropriation

No allegations were presented during the public information process. The file was submitted for exhibition through publications in the Official Gazette of Extremadura on August 7, 2025, in the Official State Gazette on August 22, 2025, in the Official Gazette of the Province of Cáceres on August 5, 2025 —with a correction of errors on August 14—, in the newspaper Periódico Extremadura on August 27, 2025, and on the notice board of the affected city council on August 11, 2025.

The company expressed its acceptance of the conditions set out in the reports issued by the public administrations and the public service or general interest companies. The declaration is granted with the obligation to comply with Law 24/2013 and without prejudice to the authorizations, licenses, concessions, or permits from the municipality or other bodies necessary for the works. Non-compliance with the conditions or inaccuracy of the data provided may lead to revocation, following the initiation of the corresponding procedure.

Against the resolution, which does not end the administrative route, an appeal for reversal may be filed before the General Directorate of Industry, Energy, and Mines of the Ministry of Industry, Energy, Science, and Territory within one month, in accordance with Law 39/2015, of October 1. The document is signed by Juan Francisco Lemus Prieto, head of the Industrial, Energy, and Mining Planning Service.

The declaration of public utility is the administrative step that converts the project into a work of general interest and opens the door to the occupation of the affected lands in the surroundings of the N-630 road and the Las Capellanías industrial estate. For the owners of the plots crossed by the three routes, the agreement implies that the distribution company may initiate expropriation procedures via urgent channels, while for the city as a whole, it entails the replacement of part of the existing overhead wiring with underground lines and the improvement of the electrical supply in the area.

Source: Official Gazette of Extremadura, number 195, of October 8, 2026, section I, page 1 (official reference: 2026062510).