FEDA Starts Burying 17km of 1960s Power Lines Along Prats de Meritxell Path

FEDA has begun work to bury 17 kilometres of 1960s-era medium-voltage power lines along the Prats de Meritxell royal path between Prats and Lloset d’en Camp in Encamp parish. The 450,000-euro project, enabled by agreements signed on Wednesday with the Ministry of Environment, Agriculture and Livestock and private landowners Cristina Palmitjavila and Maria Dolors Calvó—owners of properties including Casa Vidal and Casa Maistre—will remove 19 towers, 14 wooden support poles, a portal structure and the overhead wiring installed between 1969 and 1971.

The new underground route from the CG-2 road to Prats will connect the network serving the area, allowing full removal of the existing lines. FEDA director general Albert Moles, marking one of his final acts after over 20 years in the role, explained that roughly half the budget covers civil engineering to reach the site, with additional funds for electrical work and about 100,000 euros for dismantling. Main construction is set for 2026, with towers and cables cleared by late 2026 or early 2027, leaving the path from Encamp's entrance through Meritxell to Incles valley—or up to Canaró—free of such outdated infrastructure, similar to removals since 1988. Moles highlighted the lines' historical role in boosting Encamp and Canillo's economies and noted improved supply reliability by minimising risks.

Canillo lead councillor Jordi Alcobé described the initiative as a key milestone, meeting long-held resident demands and ending nearly 65 years of structures that visually clashed with the Meritxell cross. He emphasised collaboration across administrations and private owners to restore the path's original appearance as the 1930s main route linking France, Spain and Orient valley, while praising efforts to enhance parish landscapes.

Environment Minister Guillem Casal framed the work within the government's green infrastructure strategy, aimed at protecting ecosystems and species such as the citril finch and golden eagle near nesting sites. The ministry acted as a typical landowner for a plot by Canillo's treatment plant. Casal advocated for more projects reducing territorial impacts and confirmed a 250,000-euro contract for upgrading the Prats-Meritxell path segment, to proceed once weather permits.

Casal also updated progress on Andorra's first national natural park in Ordino and Canillo, with technical reports advancing, public consultation planned for two months, and a June parliamentary submission after a 150,000-euro allocation for 2026. Alcobé added that a nearby wind farm agreement between Canillo, Encamp and the government awaits final formalities on access rights, potentially signing in February or March to advance energy independence.