Everything is never white or black, it’s always a huge grayscale between. The Spanish government criticizes Brussels’ contingency plan to deal with the coming harsh winter due to the energy crisis, but there are nuances. Disappointed that there is no open discussion with Member States and consider a “large size” effort A country like Spain, which has limited aid capacity due to the exceptional nature of being almost an energy island, and better positioned than others due to its enormous capacity, also low exposure of its gas to Russia (only 10%), liquefied natural gas (European Union) one-third of the total) and speed to fill the storage facilities (80%). But it also coincides with the European Commission’s plan, because it has to be requested. savings and efficiency to both consumers domestic and industrial.
Dislikes: Lack of discussion
The European Commission’s “lack of open and loud dialogue” is one of its favourites. “The first thing that bothers us is, there is no open discussion“, said this Thursday the Vice President and Minister for Ecological Transition, Theresa Rivera. Going further in his speech the day before, he said, “When you need support and help, the first thing you need to do is work with the people you want support and help with.” Slap Community Manager’s wrist warning “a a significant subject” community contingency plan “as it should be” to the attention of heads of state and government and not just from energy ministers”.
In addition, Ribera recalled a not-so-distant situation this Thursday: when Spain and Portugal wanted to put a price cap on gas used to generate electricity. Then, after weeks of discussion, the measure was agreed at a European Council. “It did not occur to us to unilaterally impose anything that might cause problems for Third States or to seek solutions. In fact, Commission asked us to be more flexible what seems reasonable to us because France was in trouble (due to nuclear blackouts) and it seemed reasonable to us,” recalls Ribera. The original offer from the Iberian Peninsula was intended to hold a ceiling-free, regular price electricity auction to France; in the end, France buys electricity at the auction price and is exempt from compensation.
Like yes: Savings and efficiency measures
Spain joins philosophy the Brussels plan Reducing natural gas consumption in Europe and cooperating with other countries. ” solidarity It should be linked to our use with the rest of Europe. infrastructure and savings We can produce voluntarily,” said Ribera this Thursday. For this, the vice president met with domestic and industrial consumer associations, the energy sector, social representatives and political parties. a mustbut we believe that we must understand the situation As citizens and we (savings) will make suggestions,” he said, giving some hints on measures such as facilitating the use of renewable or hydrogen gases, facilitating the expansion of renewable energy sources or holding cut auctions for the sector, as well as some hints for this. the consumer decides whether to lower their thermostat one degree or not to take the bus instead of driving. Who hasn’t passed a workplace with open air conditioning and open doors?
Dislikes: Homogeneity between countries
The second major criticism of Spain’s Brussels plan is as follows: linear obligation to reduce consumption by 15% –or 10% in case of low interconnection with other countries– regardless of the specific circumstances of each country. The Brussels plan is not set in stone, as any country can reduce this demand as it pleases. national emergency plans. Problem What worries Spain and the Government is that there is not much room for maneuver. In electricity generation (many use combined cycles and do not have replacement capacity as most coal plants are closed), as well as in Spanish homes the penetration of gas is very low (and hence voluntary capacity savings). But once this mandatory 15% has to be reached, the penalty will focus on industry and the Government disagrees as it reduces Spain’s industrial demand. harms the country and does not help the rest due to obvious physical limitations (lack of gas pipelines). “Somebody think tanks The most important European countries made an analysis and suggested that it would be important for the EU. reduce your gas consumption by 15% in absolute terms. At that time, Spain, Portugal and, to a lesser extent, France the goal that will respond fairly to them is that we stay at zero, there is no net reduction in gas consumption”, the minister stated. Therefore, the Government offers to save money, but without general restrictions it will not work.
Likes: Home Supply Guarantee
The European Commission never recommends forcing households to reduce their consumption. this home consumers and essential services (reading, hospitals or police services) exempt from restrictions In case of emergency. Just because they show up Suggestions. Of course, Brussels adds, “the higher the reduction through voluntary action, the lower the industry’s obligations.” Options that can help more responsible consumption, such as heat pumps, smart energy management systems, or less hot water use.