The additional investment in the power network was borne out of increased demand for power. Extra infrastructure will be required to cater for new combined cycle power capacity, windfarm projects and the likely extension of the country’s high speed rail network.

Red Electrica said that investment in international interconnector equipment was also likely to form part of the upgrade.

Meanwhile, the AFX news agency reported the company as saying that its investment plans were unlikely to be affected by the Spanish government’s forthcoming national energy plan, which is set to cover the period to 2011.