The Bay of Cádiz has solidified its position as a strategic hub for telecommunications and energy infrastructure, thanks to the presence of the company Atelde. Operating from the Ribera dock within the Zona Franca de Cádiz, this firm specializes in the storage and construction of submarine cables, which are vital for transmitting electrical energy and fiber optics to the Spanish archipelagos.
Since commencing operations in 2023, Atelde has occupied a total built area of 3,175.95 m², spread across two floors. The selection of the Zona Franca de Cádiz was pivotal due to its prime location, with the facility constructed just 20 meters from the quay edge, facilitating the storage of submarine cables and associated equipment, such as repeaters and auxiliary components.
The activity of submarine cable storage and distribution is in full development given the need to supply current and future fiber optic submarine cable systems, requiring strategic locations like the free trade zone, which, due to its proximity to the sea, can distribute goods both by land and by sea.
Atelde's operations within the Cádiz free trade zone are the result of an agreement between Pérez y Cia, a leader in the maritime and logistics sectors, and Temasa Marine, an international company specializing in submarine cables. This collaboration highlights Cádiz's growing importance in the national connectivity network.
Connecting the island territories and autonomous cities with the mainland is crucial, as 7.5% of the Spanish population resides outside the peninsula. Currently, Spain boasts 15 operational submarine cables, including the Penbal 4 deployed by Telefónica in 1989 to link Valencia with Ibiza and Mallorca, with plans for 3 more in the coming years. Companies like Iberdrola have also made significant investments in this infrastructure, such as the Western Link project in the United Kingdom, which involved an investment of 1.2 billion euros.
