New Substation Backed in National Plan

Reus is set to receive a new electrical substation as part of Spain’s national Plan de Desarrollo de la Red de Transporte de Energía Eléctrica 2025–2030, following its inclusion in the state-level planning process. The infrastructure will reinforce power capacity in the city’s southern area, particularly the Tecnoparc and Bellissens innovation district, to support economic, scientific, and urban development.

Addressing Longstanding Energy Deficit

For years, the lack of a dedicated high-voltage substation has limited the growth of energy-intensive businesses in the Tecnoparc, which currently hosts 4,500 professionals and 3,300 students across research, university, and healthcare institutions (diaridetarragona.com). The planned 220 kV facility, jointly managed by Red Eléctrica and Endesa, was originally delayed due to the 2008 economic crisis (diaridetarragona.com).

Support for Innovation and Industry

The substation is critical for attracting new companies, particularly in biotechnology and advanced manufacturing. It will support projects like Synkotech Biocompatible Materials’ new production plant in Reus (ACCIÓ), REDESSA’s innovation centres (redessa.cat), and the planned relocation of the URV Faculty of Medicine to Bellissens (canalreus.cat).

This decision marks the beginning of a new era for the city. Energy availability is a key factor for competitiveness and innovation-driven economic development.

, Josep Baiges, Councillor for Economic Promotion, Innovation and Knowledge

Broader Urban and Environmental Benefits

The upgrade will also support future mobility infrastructure, including the intermodal station, TramCamp, and the railway underpass, while enabling the expansion of the Hospital Universitari Sant Joan and the URV’s research facilities. It aligns with regional efforts to decarbonise the Tarragona chemical industry (tarragonadigital.com). The project is listed in Reus’s Municipal Action Plan 2023–2027 under measure 2.01.3.03, which calls for a new transformer station in the H-11 area to attract businesses (planificacio.reus.cat). The city council describes the substation as a decisive step in securing Reus’s role as an economic, technological, and scientific hub in southern Catalonia.

Primary sources: REUS.CAT, accio.gencat.cat. Reported by diaridetarragona.com, redessa.cat, canalreus.cat, diarimes.com, elperiodico.cat, La Guia de Reus, tarragonadigital.com, reusdigital.cat.