Fourteen years into Spain’s electrical landscape, closed networks are gaining attention as a regulatory figure designed for shared infrastructure among multiple enterprises located within the same industrial zone. The idea is simple in concept: several companies, coexisting in a single area, share a common electricity meter to lower overall bills. While national leaders in Catalonia and Asturias welcomed the approach, executives across the country’s two main industrial hubs tempered expectations, noting that practical adoption will likely be limited. Pedro Gonzalez, general manager of the Association of Consumer and Industrial Goods Manufacturers (AEGE), commented that the path forward remains uncertain and that lawsuits could appear but would probably stay narrow in scope.
Closed networks are targeted at specific productive activities and cannot exist as two unconnected firms simply sharing space. In typical configurations, they cover a footprint of about 8 square kilometers and can include up to 100 users, primarily industrial tenants. Non-industrial services within the polygon, such as a restaurant or hotel, may also be served, along with residents who work in the industrial areas.
The key benefit behind these networks is cost savings. Invoices can drop by as much as 20 percent because the cost of the bill is centralized, with a single accounting process handling the totals. When companies collaborate, they may also gain access to higher mains voltage, which reduces per-unit costs; high voltage often proves cheaper than low voltage. Yet the reality of establishing such a network is far from easy. “This is a very complex process,” one observer noted. The first hurdle is consensus—every involved party must agree. Once interest exists, negotiations with the distribution company must formalize the sale and ongoing maintenance of the network. The stars must align, and experience suggests there will be relatively few successful setups, according to Gonzalez.
Closed networks have long been the political ambition of the Republican Left of Catalonia (ERC) to assist the Tarragona industrial belt, where several plants once operated with a shared meter but paid separately for each consumption. Joan Capdevila, an assistant to ARI and a strong supporter of the measure, emphasized the opportunity cost of not pursuing such regulation. He noted that years have passed with discussions that did not translate into action, highlighting the need for tangible efficiency gains. The implication is that approving a standard could unlock substantial medium- to long-term savings, but it also requires rigorous financial sustainability checks and robust regulatory alignment, which may slow progress in the near term.
For now, the time required to approve a standard can be a decisive factor. In the Catalan chemical polygon, the central concern is that closed networks, if created, cannot be edited automatically; they must start from scratch with all necessary paperwork. While network developers cannot be refused a sale by the utility, the process involves a price deterrent and authorization from the National Markets and Competition Commission (CNMC) to assess economic and financial viability. The authorization must be reviewed every four years to ensure ongoing viability even if revenue projections suggest savings for the utility and customers. In practical terms, this means a careful balance between cost savings and financial resilience, a balance that may deter some projects even if the long-term benefits are real.
AEQT’s general manager, Maria Mas, expressed cautious optimism: closed networks finally have a national regulatory framework, though she doubts widespread adoption will occur quickly. Few firms might actively pursue the option, and many will need to carefully calculate the potential gains before committing. The Generalitat’s Energy Department reported broad interest beyond Tarragona, noting that several polygons are exploring participation and that commitments and responsibilities will be clarified for those who wish to join this new framework. There is also a stated incentive for parties interested in green hydrogen development, signaling broader strategic aims tied to the energy transition and industrial modernization.
In other European economies such as the Netherlands and Germany, closed networks have operated for years. The crucial difference is ownership changes, which have allowed some sites to capitalize on regulatory provisions. A future polygon could be an intriguing option, though it remains complex: such schemes tend to require a dedicated purpose and activity, like chemistry or steel production, where suppliers align with a single purchaser. The practical takeaway is that while the model holds promise, its deployment hinges on sector-specific needs, regulatory clarity, and a shared commitment among participants. Pedro Gonzalez.