Brussels stands in profile and avoids confronting Macron for Midcat

this European Commission stands in profile and avoids confrontation Emmanuel Macron For the development of the Midcat gas pipeline between Spain and France after the French president’s resounding “no” to the project. He thinks Brussels, Paris and Madrid have little to say whether they have agreed in advance, and he remembers that the project was not on the list of projects of common European interest (PCI). “What I can say about this very simply is that any additional cross-border infrastructure projects linking the Iberian Peninsula to the rest of Europe should be analyzed by the relevant Member States and promoters. At this time the Commission cannot accept a position on any specific project”, the energy spokesperson explained, Tim McPhie.

They recall from Brussels that Midcat is also not ranked fifth on the list of recent projects of common European interest in terms of energy infrastructures. “It was a candidate project in the fourth project, but was not included in this list because at the time both France and Spain were opposed to its inclusion,” the spokesperson added, noting that both French and Spanish officials had decided. The moment in 2019, “the project has not matured and they have agreed to put it on hold until they are waiting for new evaluations”.

In addition, in accordance with the legislation European Green DealThe revision of the regulation on trans-European transport networks does not allow fossil fuel projects to be financed with European funds, although hydrogen infrastructure projects can “potentially” be financed. That is, if Midcat, in addition to gas, serves to transport green hydrogen, it could have the status of a project in the interests of Europe and receive funding; this is a possibility advocated by the president of the Catalan employers’ association and already handed down. Josep Sanchez Llibreto the energy commissioner, Kadri SimsonAt their meeting in Brussels in mid-March, when dependence on Russian gas began to create turmoil among Member States.

But Macron chilled that possibility last Monday. “All the experts tell me that. It is wrong that a gas pipeline serves to transport hydrogen.. It would be perverse”, he assured during his appearance, claiming that both existing gas pipelines were wrong. It is currently operating between Spain and France at half their capacity. hydrogen. While promoting energy connections is a top priority for the European Union, aside from the disconnection of Russian fossil fuels, Brussels is currently closed. “We are not at the point where we can evaluate the project itself. This is something that needs to be further developed by the Member States concerned and the promoters of the project,” they insist in Brussels, lowering expectations in this area.

In any case and as stated in the plan “Reinforce the EU”Additional investments to connect the Iberian Peninsula’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminals to the wider European gas grid with infrastructures prepared for hydrogen could contribute to further diversify gas supply in the domestic market and assist us in the future potential of renewable hydrogen from the Iberian Peninsula and North Africa. be. However, the project is not at a point where we can evaluate whether it will receive funding again.”

Source: Informacion

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