New Feira–Ribeira de Pena line increases reception and transport capacity for renewable production

REN – Rede Eléctrica Nacional, S.A. has commissioned the new very high voltage (400 kV) line between the Feira and Ribeira de Pena substations, a strategic infrastructure for strengthening the National Electricity Transmission Grid (RNT), enabling the safe integration of electricity production from renewable energy sources into the National Electricity System.

This line is part of the 400 kV axis that allows several power stations to be connected to the RNT on a sustainable basis, including the hydroelectric power stations of Gouvães, Daivões and Alto Tâmega (Tâmega Electricity Production System), and also serves to transport electricity from other renewable power stations in the Minho and Trás-os-Montes regions.

The line is 93 km long, and the project involved the installation of 256 new supports, corresponding to around 7,846 tonnes of metal structures, and the laying of 1,272 km of cables. A total of 8,946 m3 of concrete was also used. The work involved the opening of 383 ha of right of way, which ultimately involved 1,767 landowners.

In 2025, from January to August, renewable energy accounted for 71% of electricity consumption in mainland Portugal, divided between hydroelectric power (30%), wind power (24%), solar photovoltaic power (12%) and biomass (5%).