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Formentera Development Consortium moves overhanging cables underground in Porto-salè

camidaltportosale web2013The Formentera Development Consortium (or CFd, from Consorci Formentera Desenvolupament in Catalan) presented today its underground-utility line project, executed along the Camí de Dalt de Porto-salè road by the Gesa-ENDESA company. In attendance at the presentation were councilor of the Presidency, Tax Office-Hisenda and Territory, Bartomeu Escandell; head of CFd, José Ramon Mateos; councilor of Infrastructures, Santi Juan; infrastructure coordinator, Francesc Ribas; and GESA's head of New Energy Supplies, Toni Ribas.

The project consisted in the undergrounding of exterior, overhanging electric utility lines along the road leading up to the hill at the Sant Francesc windmills. A number of supply connection spots throughout Porto-salè are still awaiting re-installation, together with the Telefònica utility lines. The changes stand as a noticeable improvement for the approximately 30 area-neighbours who have also received new electricity meters and improved cable routing.

A total of 1.2 km of overhanging utility lines were moved underground and this same work is anticipated for telephone lines in the area. Council workers specialists in the field are working on the issue, as Telefònica's legal obligation is to underground such cables at zero cost, provided the Council of Formentera takes charge of the civil engineering works. The meeting between Formentera Council president Jaume Ferrer and Telefònica's Eastern Director of Technical Assistance, Gerardo Salvà, on 14 May, was positive for its ability to apply pressure in this respect. CFd's undergrounding of utility lines was carried out in the only area on the island that features overhead cables. Telefònica, at the May meeting, assured that all of the work in which the company is itself implicated will be finished by year end.

El camí des Monestir road in El Pilar de la Mola was the first instance of undergrounding utility lines within the framework of the Roads and City Centres Improvement Plan (Pla de millora de camins i nuclis urbans). Many other sections of road followed in other urban centres across the island, including Es Caló, Es Pujols and Sant Ferran.

The CFd's main objective is the maintenance of Formentera's rural roads. This, together with the conservation of the cultural heritage sites that characterize Formentera, is one of the greatest problems facing island residents today.

Construction was promoted and financed by the Formentera Development Consortium. It had a cost of approximately 500,000€.