The European Commission is advancing a waterway project that would link the Iberian Peninsula to France via the BarMar submarine connection between Barcelona and Marseille, with a potential route extending toward Germany. This plan appears in a draft list of Projects of Common Interest PCI, a document obtained by El Periòdico and discussed at a high‑level Europe-wide gathering in the capital this week, where representatives from the European Commission met with the Twenty‑Seven governments. A broad coalition of environmental groups and NGOs has urged policymakers to oppose the project, citing concerns about its technical feasibility, economic viability, and potential climate impacts.
Since 2013, the Commission has published a biannual PCI report that highlights cross‑border infrastructure projects weaving together EU energy systems. Being placed on the PCI list grants priority for funding, faster planning and permitting, more favorable regulatory conditions, lower environmental review costs, and greater visibility for investors.
The current draft also includes a green hydrogen corridor linking Spain and France, a component that could be adjusted before the final release at the end of November, according to insiders close to the process. Formal approval from the European Parliament and the Council is expected, with a final decision anticipated between January and February, as stated by Enagás, the Spanish gas operator and main proponent of BarMar. Enagás also indicated that funding could come from the Connecting Europe Facility, with a final financing decision expected in 2025 and construction slated to begin in 2026, as noted during a recent results presentation.
Beyond the Spain–France corridor, the PCI list envisions other projects as well. One proposal contemplates an electrical link between the Bay of Biscay and inland towns such as Gatika in Spain and Cubnezais in France. Another plan would connect Fontefría in Spain to Vilanova in Portugal, while a Navarra–Landes link would run via the Pyrenees. A separate scheme would connect Aragon in Spain with Marsillon in France through the Pyrenees. The plan also considers reversible pumping stations such as Aguallo II and Los Guajares, and potential hydrogen production through electrolyzers planned for Tarragona, Cartagena, Andalusia, and the Hydrogen Valleys in Asturias and other regions. The aim is to supply renewable hydrogen to local industrial users and to broaden the green hydrogen network.
Brussels has taken a proactive stance on hydrogen infrastructure for the first time. The BarMar project and its internal branches, covering most of Spain except for the Guitiriz‑Zamora segment and the border with Portugal, along with the France–Germany links HyFen and H2Hercules South, are highlighted within the PCI framework. The green hydrogen corridor linking Italy, Austria, and Germany is also mentioned. A Spanish source argues that BarMar should be viewed as part of a broader European energy strategy that emphasizes complementarity over competition among projects. The framing suggests an opportunity to align cross‑border energy infrastructure across EU member states.
Environmental groups including Greenpeace and Ecologists at Work have criticized the inclusion of the Spanish‑French project in the PCI list. They question its necessity for the energy transition given the project’s scale and what they see as misalignment with evolving energy needs. While green hydrogen is promoted as a key tool for decarbonization, doubts about its usefulness and real demand persist. This debate sits within a broader discussion about earlier PCI cycles, which included an earlier version of BarMar called Midcat, a pipeline that would have linked Spain and France via the Pyrenees. Midcat did not appear in the 2019 PCI update, and political pressure led to revisiting the idea of a gas‑driven link. Current discussions center on a submarine hydrogen corridor capable of carrying renewable hydrogen to major European markets, with Germany identified as a primary consumer.
The plan envisions moving sizable volumes of green hydrogen by 2030. Projections suggest the amount could reach around two million tons, a substantial share of the continent’s expected demand at that time. Spain and Portugal are seen as hydrogen suppliers powered by renewable energy, while Germany is projected to be a major buyer. A portion of the hydrogen would pass through France, which would retain a transit role within the broader network.
Overall, the initiative seeks to integrate hydrogen production with cross‑border energy infrastructure, positioning BarMar as a central hub in Europe’s shift toward low‑carbon energy. Supporters emphasize faster decarbonization and enhanced regional energy security, while critics call for clearer feasibility assessments, more transparent cost visibility, and explicit alignment with long‑term energy strategies and climate objectives.