Spain is not angry after the rejection of the Franco-Spanish gas pipeline Midcat by France

Since the invasion of Ukraine, Spain has been calling for the relaunch of the MidCat gas pipeline project, intended to strengthen its gas interconnection with France and the EU's energy independence from Russia (image illustration).

AFP - JOSEP LAGO

Text by: RFI Follow

2 mins

The controversy between France and Spain about the Midcat, a gas pipeline that would unite the two countries and would open up Spain, does not fall.

The muscular exit of Emmanuel Macron, believing that there was no emergency and that the current interconnections were only half used, was not to Madrid's taste.

Especially since Brussels refuses to arbitrate and sends the two countries back to back.

Advertising

Read more

With our correspondent in Madrid,

 "

", declared the President of the Republic. 

An “

”, neither more nor less.

This is the word used by the Minister for Energy Transition and the Demographic Challenge, Teresa Ribera.

She does not accept that the MidCat project, which seemed imminent in the midst of the energy crisis, should be abandoned.

Madrid takes care of its relations with France and also with Brussels, the minister took gloves but on the merits, the anger is palpable.

► To read also: The war in Ukraine resurrects dormant gas pipeline projects 

Incoherent the position of the European Union, criticizes Teresa Ribera because Brussels promotes complementarities and solidarity between Member States, especially in times of crisis like now.

Incoherent the position of France, said the same minister, even though Paris currently receives electricity from five other European countries and should think about helping its neighbors.

Environmental impact

Defended by Madrid but also by Berlin

, which sees it as a way of reducing the EU's dependence on Russian gas, the MidCat (abbreviation of Midi-Catalonia) would allow Spain, which has 30% European capacities for the regasification of liquefied natural gas (LNG), to export gas, which comes by ship from the United States or Qatar, to the rest of Europe.

In reality, it is the whole Spanish government which fervently wishes the construction of the MidCat, the Ministry of Industry in particular.

Because this project, abandoned in 2019 due to its environmental impact and an economic interest then considered limited, would further open up the country, considered as an energy island, and which, in the long term, would make it possible to transport green hydrogen.

Madrid is pushing hard to take advantage of European funding in this area.

But for now, the situation is blocked. 

Newsletter

Receive all the international news directly in your mailbox

I subscribe

Follow all the international news by downloading the RFI application

google-play-badge_FR

• Spain

• France

• Energies

• Environment