Andorra's FEDA Sets Mid-2027 Deadline for L'Hospitalet Hydro Plant Expansion Project

Sílvia Calvó, director general of FEDA, reiterated that a detailed preliminary project for expanding the L'Hospitalet hydroelectric plant will be ready by mid-2027, offering a clear cost breakdown and essential details for a final go-ahead decision.

The effort, pursued alongside Électricité de France (EDF) and other French partners, ranks as a key priority to strengthen Andorra's power supply during high winter demand. Calvó shared these updates with reporters following the launch of the book Andorra i l’habitatge, which gathers submissions from the 38th Andorran Day at the UCE. She described ongoing collaboration with EDF to draft the document, which will yield a solid estimate of overall expenses.

The work should conclude "mid-2027," allowing FEDA to gauge the full price tag and pin down its own funding share among the three stakeholders. "It will provide an estimate of the cost and what FEDA would have to contribute," she stated, noting that cost allocation talks among partners continue. Calvó stressed the project's magnitude, pointing out that major builds demand patience and cannot rush ahead.

Even without final sign-off, she highlighted its value: securing peak winter electricity when demand surges, improving supply stability against turbulent global markets, and aiding tariff consistency. French officials, including the co-prince, back it strongly as a border-spanning initiative with ecological gains for adjacent regions.

Separately, Calvó confirmed steady advancement on the Spain electrical link. Excavation and site preparation are under way at the Transformer and Distribution Station (ETR) in Andorra, with Red Eléctrica de España managing the line on its territory. FEDA stays in constant touch with the Spanish firm to align schedules, aiming for 2029 completion, though she noted uncertainty around the line tender process.