Spain has made it known that it does not intend to fully commit to gas savings within the framework of European solidarity. Or less 15% between August 1 and March 31. Portugal followed suit.
With our correspondent in Madrid, Francois Musseau
” It is out of the question to consent to a sacrifice about which no one has asked our opinion “. This is the angry declaration of Teresa Ribera, Minister for Ecological Transition. In other words, Madrid believes that the will of the European Union to force gas savings is not democratic, and favors the countries of the North to the detriment of the countries of the South.
Spain has several reasons why the country opposes the Brussels injunction. In addition to the lack of consultation, there is the fact that the same savings are requested from countries with specific conditions. Why the same percentage of 15% in Spain as in Cyprus or Malta? we wonder here.
Next, Madrid considers that the European Union’s requirement does not take into account the enormous expenditure already made by Spanish consumers to have a powerful network of factories that “regasify” hydrocarbons, around 3.5 billion euros. euros, a sum that companies and households pay up to 300 million euros per year.
Ultimate reason: it is especially difficult for Spain to export its remaining gas to another country.
Y, por supuesto, buscaremos la máxima cooperación y consenso con nuestros socios europeos y con los actors políticos, institucionales, sociales y económicos de nuestro país. Una transformation como ésta merece el máximo compromiso de todos.
— Teresa Ribera ? (@Teresaribera) July 21, 2021
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