A French Decision on the Midcat Gas Project Is Explored in Light of European Energy Strategy
The French government maintains a firm stance against moving forward with the Spanish-French Midcat gas pipeline. The proposed route would traverse the Catalan Pyrenees to move gas from the Iberian Peninsula toward Central Europe. Officials argue that expanding interconnection capacity between Spain and Germany would demand a substantial upgrade of the French gas network, a process that would take years and cost billions of euros. Because of these factors, the Midcat plan is not viewed as a timely response to today
0energy pressures.
In a briefing focusing on the matter, energy policy representatives note that the relevant authorities cannot treat the Midcat as a quick fix. Statements from the Ministry of Energy Transformation emphasize that any large-scale interconnection project must align with broader European energy strategies and long-term infrastructure plans. The dialogue around the Midcat has reflected a broader debate about how Europe should secure resilient gas supply while managing cross-border investment and grid modernization.
Observers in Spain and Germany welcomed early signs of openness from France. They described the signaling as a potential step toward closer European collaboration and a possible response to the energy crisis spurred by Russia
0s invasion of Ukraine. Yet officials in Paris have remained cautious, underscoring that partnerships with fellow EU states should be evaluated within the framework of European energy strategy and national commitments. The sentiment expressed by French policymakers has been interpreted by some as a readiness to consider partners
0requests, while others emphasized the need for coordinated action across the European market.
According to insiders close to the energy ministry, any acceleration of fossil fuel output and especially natural gas must follow a stable and long-term approach. They insist that energy security in Europe should be pursued through a permanent, well-structured infrastructure plan that integrates with the European energy system. This stance underscores the belief that interconnections with Belgium, Switzerland, and Italy play a key role in supplying central and eastern Europe, including Germany. Interim assessments show current pipelines operating at high utilization in neighboring corridors, while the Western Pyrenees routes for Spanish exports remain below saturation. This suggests there is still strong upstream potential for gas exchange from Spain into France in the medium term.
The question now on the table is how the Spanish administration should weigh France
0s approach against plans to push ahead with larger volumes of gas moving toward Central Europe. One option discussed involves a cross-border underwater pipeline linking Iberia and Central Europe, a concept that would demand extensive planning and significant investment. Comparisons point to the Livorno project in Italy, which appears to be more distant in schedule and cost, reinforcing the view that Midcat represents a shorter-term and more ambitious pathway to European gas interconnection if pursued under a common energy strategy. [Energy policy notes, attribution pending]