The Community of Madrid has confirmed that the central government will revise its national electrical planning to incorporate more than 100,000 residential units scheduled for construction in the region's southeast. This adjustment addresses a significant gap affecting urban developments in Valdecarros, Los Ahijones, and Los Berrocales, which previously lacked guaranteed access to energy supplies. The Ministry for Ecological Transition has now included these projects, alongside the Madrid Nuevo Norte development, following months of pressure and technical work by the regional executive.
The initial proposal for electrical planning up to 2030 did not originally account for connections to these new areas. Former Regional Minister Carlos Novillo had previously expressed concern and frustration over this unprecedented situation in Spain, where housing construction could proceed without guaranteed grid access. While the Community of Madrid celebrates this inclusion as a result of their formal objections, regional officials warn that recognizing capacity on paper does not yet ensure effective supply. Executing the necessary infrastructure remains pending, with officials estimating an accumulated delay of nearly two years relative to current needs.
Beyond the southeast residential projects, the regional government continues to advocate for other municipalities in the final planning document. Specific demands include expanding the Parla substation, for which 240 megawatts have already been requested, and upgrading facilities in Algete to support local urban and industrial growth. The lack of electrical capacity in Parla has reportedly led to the rejection of urbanization projects and is limiting new productive activities, while similar difficulties are noted in Getafe.
These demands were presented on October 26 by Vice-Minister Rafael García to State Secretary for Energy Joan Groizard during a meeting to analyze changes in the electrical planning proposal. The encounter concluded with a commitment to maintain contact between the Ministry, distribution companies, and the regional government to study the viability of pending actions in Parla and Algete.
The regional administration also highlights that grid limitations pose risks beyond residential development, potentially stalling industrial and technological investments, particularly data centers. Madrid currently hosts 56 such projects, with 15 under construction and 41 in the design phase, representing an approximate investment of 15 billion euros and the potential creation between 17,000 and 24,000 direct and indirect jobs. The regional executive argues that these facilities, essential for activities like Artificial Intelligence, require supply capacity that must be reflected in the planning. They urge the Ministry to incorporate pending actions and specify necessary investments to support the region's residential, industrial, and technological growth rather than imposing further restrictions.
Sources: La Vanguardia.