The leaders of France, Spain and Portugal on Thursday said they had abandoned a natural gas pipeline project known as MidCat and will instead develop an undersea “green energy corridor” that will eventually transport hydrogen between the cities of Barcelona and Marseille.
“We will work very intensely in the coming weeks to open up the Iberian Peninsula and to build a green energy corridor between Portugal, Spain and France, and through France, to the rest of Europe,” French President Emmanuel Macron told reporters after a meeting with Portuguese and Spanish delegations at France’s permanent representation in Brussels.
The three leaders are scheduled to meet again on December 8 and 9 in Alicante, Spain, to finalise the project, which will be entitled to European funding.
Speaking as he arrived at a meeting of EU leaders, Mr Macron said the three countries will work on intensifying their electrical interconnections and that the project could also add electricity interconnections.
Energy Minister Teresa Ribera said it was a “magnificent decision that deepens solidarity and commitment to renewables”.
No cost estimate was announced.
Germany made no comment on the announcement despite its heavy involvement in previously championing the MidCat project, which was supposed to go across the Pyrenees.
This seemed to indicate that it was sidelined in the new deal amid diplomatic tensions between France and Germany over how to tackle Europe's energy crisis.
“It is not good that a country isolates itself and it's our role to do everything so that there is European unity and that Germany is part of it,” said Mr Macron on Thursday, when questioned about the tensions.
France opposed the MidCat project, saying it was too costly, would take too long to build and was not the solution to Europe’s energy problems.
The MidCat project emerged a decade ago but was dropped in 2019 over regulatory and funding issues. There was a resurgence of interest in the project after Russia withheld gas deliveries to most of Europe following sanctions over its invasion of Ukraine.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Thursday said that the new pipeline project, which he called the “Green Energy Corridor”, would move hydrogen and gas “during a transition period needed by the European energy market.”
Spain currently has six liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals for processing gas that arrives by sea, which could help the EU boost imports with a better link.
But it only has two low-capacity links to France's gas network, which has connections to the rest of Europe.
Agencies contributed to this report
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Engine 3.6-litre V6
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Day 1 results:
Open Men (bonus points in brackets)
New Zealand 125 (1) beat UAE 111 (3)
India 111 (4) beat Singapore 75 (0)
South Africa 66 (2) beat Sri Lanka 57 (2)
Australia 126 (4) beat Malaysia -16 (0)
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New Zealand 64 (2) beat South Africa 57 (2)
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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French business
France has organised a delegation of leading businesses to travel to Syria. The group was led by French shipping giant CMA CGM, which struck a 30-year contract in May with the Syrian government to develop and run Latakia port. Also present were water and waste management company Suez, defence multinational Thales, and Ellipse Group, which is currently looking into rehabilitating Syrian hospitals.
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How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
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What are the regulations?
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- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League, Group B
Barcelona v Inter Milan
Camp Nou, Barcelona
Wednesday, 11pm (UAE)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Price, base / as tested Dh135,000
Engine 1.6L turbo
Gearbox Six speed automatic with manual and sports mode
Power 165hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque 240Nm @ 1,400rpm 0-100kph: 9.2 seconds
Top speed 420 kph (governed)
Fuel economy, combined 35.2L / 100km (est)
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Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
