Scholz urges a gas pipeline from Spain to supply Germany "massively"

The German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, has lamented that the planned gas pipeline from Spain and Portugal to France has not materialized yet because if it had, "Europe would not be in the situation of lack in which we now find ourselves".

In his first summer press conference as chancellor, an appointment that his predecessor,

, made a tradition, Scholz opted for this project as part of a common strategy and regretted that Germany and many other countries of the Union entrusted to a single supplier, Russia.

"In the first year of the Economics degree, one learns that

but it seems that the lesson is forgotten when it comes to management," said Scholz, in his criticism of dependence on Russian gas.

He regretted for this that the connection between Portugal, Spain and France has not been executed, because now he misses and in a "dramatic way" the

that he would be making to the supply of northern Europe

The chancellor added in this sense that he has spoken with his colleagues from Spain, France and Portugal, as well as with the president of the European Commission (EC) to promote this project, since the existence of connections with North Africa would help diversify the supply.

A gas pipeline of these characteristics "would solve current problems on a massive scale," the foreign minister added,

Von der Leyen has said that gas connections between Portugal, Spain and France will prevail

, which should allow the European Union's needs for Russian gas to be reduced by a third.

These connections, which could include the Midcat gas pipeline project, are part of the RePowerEU plan, which has the objective of

, and which includes the purchase of liquefied natural gas ( LNG) to the United States and reinforce the objectives of green hydrogen production.

The

gas pipeline would connect Spain with France through Catalonia and would double the current gas transport capacity between the two countries.

The works began in 2010, but the infrastructure ran aground and was definitively buried in 2019 after the joint opinion of the Spanish CNMC and its French equivalent and little interest from Paris.

The Midcat was conceived as an extension of the Medgaz gas pipeline, which connects the Algerian coast with Almería and runs along the entire Mediterranean coast until stopping at Hostalric (Girona), from where the failed connection with Barbaira, on the other side of the Pyrenees, was to start.

Scholz opted for

as part of this diversification strategy, which his Government is trying to promote on different fronts, including the promotion of renewable energies and the construction of terminals for the reception of gas. liquefied, which can only be done by boat.

Germany is working against the clock on the construction of three terminals on its North Sea coast, but it will not be until the middle of next year when they will be operational.

"Every government, every company, must take into account that situations can change and prepare for it if this happens," he said, after acknowledging that his coalition - between Social Democrats, Greens and Liberals - was

.

Despite this situation, he stressed, it has been possible "in record time" to search for these alternatives to guarantee the supply of gas in the coming winter, although he admitted that this will be "more expensive."

Germany's gas deposits have reached around 75% of their capacity, according to the latest data from the Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur), the level that according to the government's objectives was to be achieved by September 1.

The data released today correspond to Tuesday and place the level at 73.7%, which means that between

, since it rises at least 0.5% daily.

The Scholz government had set itself the goal of deposits reaching 75% of their capacity on September 1, to rise to 85% on October 1 and 95% on November 1, a level

This evolution, however, depends on the shipments it receives through the Nord Stream gas pipeline being maintained.

The Russian giant

completely stopped supplies in mid-July, arguing that maintenance work had to be carried out.

When service was restored, volume had dropped to 20% of its capacities, down from 40% previously.

Germany has managed to maintain the pace of storage due, in part, to the reserves of a coal plant that has been reactivated being used for electricity consumption.

has begun to be saved in public buildings, lighting of monuments, swimming pools and other facilities

, according to the criteria of each "Land" -federated state-.

Among Scholz's tripartite between social democrats, greens and liberals there is disagreement regarding the possibility of

still in operation in the country and which must be out of service at the end of this year.

The Greens, the party of the Minister for the Economy and Climate Protection, Deputy Chancellor Robert Habeck, reject this possibility, although they do not completely rule it out.

The Liberals propose a postponement of the disconnection until 2024 and the reactivation, if necessary, of at least one other plant that was already out of service last year.

Scholz has not ruled out a complete farewell to nuclear power being postponed, depending on how the situation evolves until winter.

Currently the three nuclear plants still in operation provide 6% of the electricity supply.

The percentage is so significant in the current crisis situation that the debate on the extension of nuclear life is growing.

Scholz has anticipated that when the relevant technical reports are completed, a decision will be made.

His coalition partners, the Greens, oppose it.

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