Germany is desperately looking for a replacement for Russian gas. Chancellor Scholz sees Spain as a possible supplier and wants it to be connected to Europe’s gas network. A pipeline to France would be possible – but there would also be an alternative.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez are urging the Iberian Peninsula to be connected to the European electricity and gas grid. “We could cover 30 percent of the EU’s liquid gas requirements” if this line existed, said Sanchez on the sidelines of the cabinet meeting in Meseberg, which he attended.
If this is not possible via France, a pipeline connection via Italy would have to be chosen. Spain is ready for solidarity, but you have this bottleneck. Chancellor Scholz also backed this pipeline. This is also important with a view to the long-term supply of green hydrogen. As sun-rich countries, Spain and Portugal would produce surpluses that they could export.
The major task is to create a European network for all energy sources. More networking creates more stable societies, said Scholz. “We all help each other when we do this.” The Chancellor also confirmed that Germany is better equipped to get through the winter due to the filling levels in German gas storage facilities.
Sanchez explained that the connection of the electricity and gas lines from Spain and Portugal to the rest of Europe should be improved, also in order to counteract Russian blackmail in gas supplies. However, this is also very important in view of the importance of green hydrogen. Spain can cover 30 percent instead of the current 3 percent of Europe’s regasification, but due to the lack of pipelines this is currently not possible.
Spain has the most liquid gas terminals in Europe and also has a pipeline from the producing country Algeria. However, there is no major connection to France, a project was canceled years ago due to inefficiency. It could be revived with the help of the EU. Since the Russian attack on Ukraine, the EU has been feverishly looking for alternatives to Russian gas supplies, which are currently severely restricted.
Spanish Energy Minister Teresa Ribera had said the planned gas pipeline link between Spain and France could be up and running in less than a year. The prerequisite is that France and the EU agree on the project, she said. According to media reports, however, France is critical of the construction of a third gas connection through the Pyrenees and instead prefers the construction of liquid gas terminals in Central European countries such as Germany.
