Macron remains skeptical about the new gas pipeline — and supports nuclear power
Germany and Spain want to work together on gas – much to the chagrin of French President Emmanuel Macron. He does not think a new pipeline through the Pyrenees is necessary. What Europe needs is to produce electricity on its territory using renewable energies and nuclear energy.
DrFrench President Emmanuel Macron remains skeptical about a new pipeline through the Pyrenees, despite mounting pressure from Spain and Germany. “I think our priority is to have energy networks in Europe,” Macron said on the sidelines of a meeting with more than 40 other European leaders in Prague on Thursday.
Macron said he is primarily open to network expansion projects. But what does Europe need in the coming years? Producing more electricity on our land is a strategy for renewable energy and nuclear power.”
Macron complained that it would take five to eight years to build the Medcat pipeline. Nor does France want to become a major importer of gas. “Our strategy will go towards hydrogen,” Macron said. But you have to think about whether you want to transport hydrogen or electricity across Europe. Hydrogen can be produced from electricity in a climate-friendly way and transported like gas through pipelines. Germany and Spain want to use Midcat for this.
The line will extend from Barcelona through the Pyrenees to connecting to the French network at Barbaira in southern France. In Spain, the tube was completed as far as Hostrich, 106 kilometers south of the border; And in France, he lost about 120 kilometers. The project was canceled in 2017 due to lack of profitability. At the German-Spanish government consultations on Wednesday, Chancellor Olaf Schulz (Social Democratic Party) and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez made a new push to build the pipeline by 2025.
Schulz emphasized in Prague on Thursday that Europe’s energy infrastructure must be improved. “It’s part of building a European network,” he said. This applies to electricity, gas and hydrogen.
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