CEF Energy: on-site visit confirms advancements in the Biscay Gulf Interconnection

With the support of CEF Energy, the Biscay Gulf electricity interconnection project is advancing: a €578 million EU grant has been instrumental in bringing this flagship Project of Common Interest (PCI) closer to reality. 

On 7 and 8 April, a delegation from CINEA visited key construction sites in both France and Spain, witnessing first-hand the project’s progress and technological ambition.

The visit started on the French side, where the delegation visited the converter station site at Cubnezais, where civil works are ongoing and expected to be completed by the end of 2025.  More than half of the trenching work for the underground power lines has already been completed, and the landfall sites, such as at Seignosse, are fully excavated.  Special attention has been given to minimising environmental impact, with offshore exit points constructed using microtunnels - a sophisticated solution that protects coastal ecosystems while enabling the transition from marine to terrestrial infrastructure.

Meanwhile, in Spain, Red Eléctrica is moving forward with the civil works for the Gatika converter station, a key component of the interconnection. Buildings are now rising on-site, carefully designed to blend into the landscape with the help of natural vegetation screening.  In Lemóniz, directional drilling will start soon, offering a similarly low-impact solution to connect the underground cables to the undersea link while protecting the coastal environment.  The Spanish side reflects the same commitment to sustainability and cutting-edge engineering as its French counterpart.

CINEA’s on-site visit was not only an opportunity to confirm that construction remains on schedule for commissioning in 2028, but also a moment to highlight the broader importance of the project. 

As a cross-border link, the Biscay Gulf interconnection will strengthen energy security and grid stability on both sides. It is also a key enabler of greater renewable energy integration, supporting Europe’s climate and energy goals.

Once operational, the project (being delivered by Inelfe - a joint venture between Red Eléctrica and RTE) will double the electricity exchange capacity between France and Spain to 5,000 MW. That means cleaner, more secure, and more affordable power for millions of citizens, and enough to supply around 2 million households with emissions-free electricity every year, while avoiding 600,000 tonnes of CO₂ each year.

More info: https://www.inelfe.eu/en/projects/bay-biscay