The electricity transport, distribution, and supply law that came into force in 2000, just before the euro era, set out clear steps to guarantee this essential service to every end user. It also defined which facilities require more power and the criteria for access. Back then, long before electric cars and intelligent robotics hit the factory floor, the regulation already faced questions about how it would adapt to radical shifts in production models. The Galician auto group Ceaga has already warned that the current legislation, though permissive on some levels, can undermine competitiveness in Galicia’s automobile industry by tolerating inadequate power quality. The sector, and Stellantis’ Vigo plant in particular, reported an average of about 40 outages per year over the past five years, tied to a 132 kilovolt network that many regarded as insufficient. Between 2015 and 2020, the government planned a Balaídos substation to connect factories to a 220 kV grid, yet the project never progressed and the current Manager did not move to start it, a stance reinforced by a recent decision from the Ecological Transition Minister. The exchange involved a firm rebuke to a colleague in industry leadership.
The document FARO obtained is addressed to Francisco Conde, the First Vice President and Minister of Economy and Industry. The core argument is a request for a 220 kV connection to address poor quality at 132 kV caused by frequent voltage drops, though it lacks sufficient evidence showing that the present connection is notably weak in quality. Consequently, Minister Ribera did not only question the voltage-drop data provided by Stellantis and other Vigo-area suppliers, she also consulted two external reports. The first came from the Electrical Engineering Department at UVigo, specifically the Electrotechnical and Electrical Networks Group, and the second from TÜV SÜD Atisae, a leading firm in certification and auditing services. Both reports concluded that the power supply quality was inadequate. UVigo technicians noted that the residual voltage at the 220 kV level showed a drop pattern that was less severe or even imperceptible on the 132 kV grid, a nuance that matters for the production line.
Efforts to persuade the government, up to President Pedro Sánchez, did not yield the Balaídos substation project. The call for a 220 kV solution remains unresolved while the energy transition plan continues. Reyes Maroto publicly acknowledged the importance of a robust electricity supply for Vigo, Spain’s largest automotive factory, on October 5, stressing that the factory has concrete needs and that the supply should be strengthened. He reiterated that the key decision rests with the Energy Transition ministry, unless an overarching shift from the Moncloa administration is made. The Xunta’s representative in Vigo, Marta Fernández-Tapias, evaluated the ministry’s letter and, while praising certain aspects, noted that Vigo still awaits Perte assistance and highlighted the ongoing tension between industrial needs and planning decisions. The automotive sector in Vigo has framed this as discrimination against its industry and a call for fair treatment in the national plan. They emphasize that the future of local manufacturing hinges on reliable, high-capacity power delivery.
And now?
The only concession from the minister has been a medium-term outline. Stellantis Vigo management has warned that ongoing grid cuts threaten its industrial roadmap. In practical terms, the current plan by Red Eléctrica Española (REE) will not be altered soon. However, a new network planning cycle beginning in January 2023 will overlay the 2024–2029 window, offering a chance to reassess the projects mentioned and align them with decarbonisation goals and energy transition targets, alongside fresh objectives. In the near term, securing high voltage remains uncertain for Stellantis and the broader motor sector.
Recent reporting indicates that more than a hundred vehicle factories across the European Union operate with a high-voltage source of at least 220 kV. Only a minority of car and van factories enjoy comparable power capacity to Balaídos. The Xunta continues to press for Stellantis to secure high voltage within the current planning, and if not, to elevate it as a priority in the forthcoming process. The regional administration expects that the upgrade will be incorporated into the 2021 network plan, and views it as essential to meeting decarbonisation and energy-transition goals while supporting ongoing industrial development in Vigo.