The high penetration of low cost renewable energy in Spain makes the country an attractive destination for the development of data centres, industrial facilities, and projects with high electricity demand. This is further reinforced by the necessary electrification of many areas and sectors of activity. However, the regulatory framework for accessing this electricity and obtaining the authorisations required to carry out these activities can be complex and demanding.
At SD Verdia we have extensive experience and in depth knowledge of the energy sector to advise companies and investors on access to electricity demand. Our multidisciplinary team supports clients at all stages, from planning and obtaining permits to the negotiation of supply contracts and the management of relationships with regulatory authorities.
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We answer the most common questions about grid access and connection for new electricity demand.
Any new connection or increase in contracted demand requires two permits: the access permit, which confirms the grid has available capacity, and the connection permit, which defines the technical point and conditions of connection. Both are regulated by Royal Decree 1183/2020 and are granted by the transmission operator (Red Eléctrica) or the relevant distribution company depending on the voltage level.
Royal Decree 1183/2020 requires applicants to lodge an economic guarantee when requesting access permits. This secures the reservation of grid capacity and is returned once the installation is commissioned. The amount is calculated on the requested capacity and the voltage level of the connection.
The core framework is Royal Decree 1183/2020 on access and connection, Law 24/2013 of the Electricity Sector, and Royal Decree 1955/2000 on the authorisation of electrical installations. CNMC circulars set the applicable methodology and the capacity-allocation criteria at each grid node.
SD Verdia advises industrial consumers, data centres and developers on securing access and connection permits, negotiating with grid operators and structuring the required guarantees. We also integrate demand projects with self-consumption and energy storage to optimise the connection capacity requested.
