PRAGUE (dpa-AFX) – Despite growing pressure from Spain and Germany, French President Emmanuel Macron remains skeptical about a new pipeline across the Pyrenees. “I think our priority is more to have power networks in Europe,” Macron said on the sidelines of a meeting with over 40 other European leaders in Prague on Thursday. He is basically open to projects to expand the network. “But what does Europe need in the coming years? The production of more electricity on its own soil and a strategy for renewable energy and nuclear power.”
Macron complained that the construction of the Midcat pipeline would take five to eight years. France also does not want to become a major gas importer. “Our strategy will tend towards hydrogen,” said Macron. But you have to consider whether you want to transport hydrogen or electricity through Europe. Hydrogen can be produced from electricity in a climate-friendly manner and – similar to gas – transported via pipelines. Germany and Spain want to use Midcat for this.
The line would run from Barcelona across the Pyrenees to the connection to the French network in Barbaira in southern France. In Spain, the tube is complete as far as Hostalric, 106 kilometers south of the border; in France, around 120 kilometers are missing. The project was canceled in 2017 due to lack of profitability. At the German-Spanish government consultations on Wednesday, Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez made a new push for the construction of the pipeline by 2025.
Scholz confirmed in Prague on Thursday that the European energy infrastructure must be improved. “It’s part of building a European network,” he said. This applies to electricity, gas and hydrogen./dub/mfi/DP/he