The Spanish Government granted Endesa the operation of Nudo Mudéjar, a move that would oversee the energy flow and access to the electricity transmission network for a major project in Aragon. A 1,202 megawatt capacity was released as the coal-fired plant in Andorra was retired, with a shift toward renewable energy. Endesa emerged as the winner of the opening round of Spain’s 22 Fair Pass competitions, aiming to install a new renewable model that would unlock Aragon’s substantial energy potential. The plan includes an investment outlook that starts at 1.2 billion euros and could reach 2 billion, with a goal to create around 3,500 jobs linked to the Coal Basin region, and to complete the project by 2029. The result would be a transformative addition to the region’s energy landscape, combining reliability with a strong push toward decarbonization.
Endesa initially proposed to manage 953 megawatts of installed power. Yet the regulatory framework allows a company to enter network management only with a project of up to 250 megawatts. After Endesa’s award, 249 megawatts remained unoccupied. The company has 10 business days to adapt the project or step back. As a consequence, the final investment could end up nearer to two billion euros rather than the 1.2 billion initially announced by the Ministry of Ecological Transition.
Selecting Endesa as the main manager of the network effectively excludes the other contenders. Forestalia, another Aragon-based provider that won similar tenders, and the Térvalis Group, which includes Portuguese energy major EDP, will not be able to lead the Aragon knot. This outcome has drawn criticism from the regional government president, who has argued that the decision should reflect technical solvency and a demonstrable commitment to the region. Since 2019 there has been ongoing discussion about changing the Just Transition framework to give Aragonese companies real opportunities.
The project led by the company chair Jose Damian Bogas emphasizes that the 34 municipalities affected by Andorra’s coal phase-out could achieve zero energy expenditure through self-consumption, as the Just Transition plan promotes a model that goes beyond simply installing wind turbines and solar panels. Among the tender’s most valued conditions is the reduction of environmental impact while simultaneously boosting local wealth and employment within the thermal sector.
Thus, Endesa’s proposal includes several flagship components: the establishment of a highly valuable electrolyzer factory in Andorra to produce green hydrogen, a fuel seen as a promising candidate for the energy future. The new facility could become a European leader, with an expected workforce of 200 to 250 jobs and an investment around 50 million euros. The plan also features a solar tracking manufacturing facility, a wind turbine refurbishment and logistics hub, and a circular economy platform dedicated to renewable parks. A second initiative focuses on recovery, recycling, and new uses for components, with all activities designed to be completed within six years. The plan assesses impacts across the primary, secondary, and tertiary economic sectors.
Arturo Aliaga, Vice President of the Government of Aragon and Minister of Industry, emphasized that the commitments won in this competition would be fulfilled, aligning with a green, just, and sustainable transformation ahead of 2030. While Endesa remains one of the favorites in the pool, other players such as Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners and two Aragonese companies also generated interest at different points in the process. If no changes occur, Endesa appears positioned to formalize the arrangement in Andorra within ten days, potentially setting a precedent for how Just Transition tenders influence decarbonization and economic activity in affected regions.