European Commission desires to give priority in financing and permitting procedures water canal that will connect the Iberian Peninsula to France with the underwater connection between Barcelona and Marseille (BarMar) and the rest of the infrastructure to Germany, According to the draft of the projects classified as Projects of Common Interest (PCI), which EL PERIÓDICO has access to and which was the subject of discussion at a meeting this Wednesday High-level meeting in European capital Between representatives of the European Commission and the Twenty-Seven Governments. However, dozens of environmental and non-governmental organizations sent a message. letter He implored meeting participants to oppose this project due to lack of information on its “technical and economic feasibility” and “serious impacts on the climate.”
The European Commission has been preparing a report every two years since 2013. List of Projects of Common Interest (PCI) which important projects cross-border infrastructure Connecting the energy systems of Member States. Being a part of this list, situation because in addition to having priority to request fundscan achieve expedited planning and permitting processes, obtain better regulatory conditions, reduce administrative costs through simplified environmental assessment processes, and provide greater visibility to investors.
The European Commission included: green hydrogen corridor between Spain and France in the draft of his proposal, which may still be valid in any case. subject to changes before being made public at the end of novemberAccording to the community manager’s sources. Then the list needs to be retrieved. approval to the European Parliament and Council for final approval, which could come between January and February, according to the Spanish gas operator and main backer of the project. Enagalar. From then on, the project can seek funding from the Connecting Europe Facility fund, as the CEO explained at the results presentation on Tuesday. Arturo Gonzalo Aizpiri. Enagás added that it plans to make a final financing decision in 2025 and start construction in 2026.
More Spanish projects
Besides the Spanish-French green hydrogen corridor, the list includes other types of projects. Spain energy infrastructureaspect electrical connection between Bay of Biscaybetween towns Gatika (Spain) and Cubnezais (France); Connection with Portugal between Fontefría (Spain) and Vilanova (Portugal) or union between Navarra (Spain) and Landes (France) and between Aragon (Spain) and Marsillon (France) via the Pyrenees. Also projects reversible pumpinglike Aguallo II, Los Guajares and Navaleowaves hydrogen producing machinesin the name electrolyzerspredicted Tarragona, Cartagena, Andalusia Hydrogen Valley and Asturias H2Valley Supplying renewable hydrogen to Polocos local industrialists.
Brussels is participating for the first time hydrogen infrastructure. In addition to the so-called BarMar and its ‘branches’ (all internal infrastructure within Spain except for the Guitiriz-Zamora junction and Portugal, as well as the connections between France and Germany, called HyFen and H2Hercules South) also show this figure. Green hydrogen corridor connecting Italy, Austria and GermanyHere’s what it looks like on the German Government’s road map: Spanish-French runner competitorbut this tuesday Arturo Gonzalo Aizpiri Talking about “complementarity” between European infrastructures excluded competition.
environmental criticism
such as environmental organizations Greenpeace or Ecologists at Work Criticizes the inclusion of the Spanish-French project in the list Projects of Common Interest because “they think it runs the risk of not being necessary in the future because large size and failing to respond to the needs of the energy transition,” as explained in the letter. “Although H2Med is presented as one of the main solutions to accelerate the decarbonization of the European Union, there are many concerns about its usefulness and real need,” they note.
In previous editions (2013, 2015 and 2017) Brussels had included the predecessor of BarMar, Unborn gas pipeline known as MidcatHe aimed to unite Spain and France via the Pyrenees. It no longer appears in the last update in 2019. Actually it was After Spain pressures France to continue gas pipeline project full energy crisiswhen, surprisingly, Spain, Portugal and France It was announced at a summit almost a year ago. Alicante in this case an agreement to create a new project submarine and carry alone green hydrogen. A week ago Germany participated publicly to the project.
The purpose of the runner is to carry some things. 2 million tons Green hydrogen from 2030, which means: 10% of the continent’s total demand at that time. Spain and Portugal There will be hydrogen producers from renewable energy and Main consumer Germany –the country estimates it will consume 3.9 million tons in 2030, of which 50% to 70% will be imported– France will have a “mainly transit” function.