The government is giving energy companies carte blanche to act against the devastation caused by DANA. Throughout 2024 and next year 2025investments made in the transmission networks (managed by Red Eléctrica) and distribution networks (managed by Iberdrola in this area) will be exempt from the limit established by law in the municipalities mainly affected by floods.
National regulations establish a maximum investment limit of 0.065% of annual GDP for transport and 0.13% of GDP for distribution. However, “regulatory measures intended for a planned evolution of investments in networks cannot constitute an obstacle to rapid reconstruction at present damaged energy infrastructure”, recognizes the Executive.
This is what the Official State Journal (BOE) reported on Tuesday in a press release. exceptional layout. Additionally, the government said businesses would be remunerated for these investments by access tollsas provided for by regulations in a normal context. Currently, the financial remuneration rate is set at 5.58%.
DANA, which mainly affected Valencia, had a strong impact on the electricity infrastructure. According to companies involved in the recovery of electricity supply, many lines have fallen or have significant damage.
To remedy this situation, i-DE, the distribution company of the Iberdrola group, has installed equipment that produces electricity autonomously with an internal combustion engine (generators) in around a hundred localities. Many areas affected by DANA still rely on these systems.
For his part, Red Eléctrica has already prepared the temporary power lineswhich were installed as an emergency solution to support the distribution network. The company’s technical team installed temporary electrical circuits and joined existing high-voltage lines using new conductors.
The system manager completed work to strengthen the installations on Tuesday, but continue to remove damaged structures and cables. Furthermore, he began to manufacture and assemble on site the poles necessary for the reconstruction of the network constantly, using the materials they already had in reserve.
A man crosses the destroyed tracks of line 1 of the Valencia metro, in Paiporta. EFE/Manuel Bruque
The first messages of the line High voltage 220 kV between Catada and Jijona They have already arrived at the construction site and the concrete bases of some of them have started to be prepared.
On the other hand, Red Eléctrica continues to carry out the excavation and measurement work for the final installation of the 220 kV and 400 kV circuits, some of which have already been completed. They are also advancing procedures to begin definitive reconstruction work.
According to Iberdrola, temporary power outages could occur while work is underway to make the facilities more stable and safer.
The distributor is also collaborates with telecommunications companies to offer them an alternative source of energy when the electrical installation of their communication centers is out of service.
Additionally, she contacts particularly vulnerable clients, such as retirement homes, pharmacies and schoolsto make sure they have a power supply.
Furthermore, Iberdrola launched a low voltage network and meter review plan that do not transmit data, in order to identify possible problems on the network that customers have not reported. She also launched a special care plan for this sensitive clientele.
Invoice deferral
Holders of electricity or natural gas supply points in areas affected by DANA may exceptionally ask their supplier to defer payment of their bills. until December 31, 2025.
Once this period has expired, the pending amounts will be distributed equally on subsequent invoices issued by traders. Additionally, the owner will not be able to change marketing companies as long as they have an outstanding balance.
Also until this same date, the supply of electrical energy, petroleum products, including manufactured and liquefied petroleum gases, natural gas and water, cannot be suspended to consumers whose habitual residence is located in the municipalities concerned, as published by the BOE.
Finally, exceptionally, the supply contracts and third party access to the network, in gas or electricity supply points in the localities concerned whose supply has been interrupted by DANA.
