The federal government believes it might nonetheless be potential to persuade France to permit interconnections from the Iberian Peninsula to provide fuel, and later hydrogen, to Europe however can be wanting into another connection by Italy.

Spain, Portugal and Germany have revived talks on the MidCat fuel pipeline venture linking Spain and France by the Pyrenees, saying it might permit the export of seven.2 billion cubic metres of fuel per 12 months to central Europe, doubling Spain’s present fuel export capability.

In accordance with its promoters, MidCat would assist join Europe to Spain’s community of liquified pure fuel (LNG) terminals, a transfer that might contribute to strengthen Europe’s vitality independence within the present standoff with Moscow over fuel provides.

However Paris stays reluctant, saying present interconnections are presently underused and {that a} new fossil fuel pipeline isn’t wanted in view of Europe’s clear vitality objectives. President Emmanuel Macron did nevertheless, say he’s open to being satisfied.

In an interview with Lusa in Brussels, State Secretary for European affairs Tiago Antunes reiterated that, from Portugal’s perspective, “the rationale for the realisation of this interconnection exists and is kind of apparent, and was strengthened after the battle in Ukraine.” He stated it could be potential to elevate the obstacles which have been offered by France for the passage of the pipeline by the Pyrenees.

“We consider that there are robust arguments, and we consider that will probably be potential to persuade France that it’s in everybody’s curiosity, in Europe’s curiosity, in Europe’s international curiosity, to have our nations extra interconnected when it comes to vitality, as a result of solely then will we be safer when it comes to vitality provide,” he stated.

(André Campos | Lusa.pt, Paul Messad | EURACTIV.fr)