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EU Unveils Networks Package, Presses France to Open Spain Interconnectors

The plan uses faster permitting plus shared financing to unlock Pyrenean links after April’s Iberian blackout.

Overview

  • Brussels names eight priority Energy Highways, including the SpainFrance links via the Pyrenees (Navarra–Landres and Aragón–Marsillon) and the H2Med hydrogen corridor.
  • SpainFrance transfer capacity is about 2.5 GW, roughly 3% of Spanish capacity, far short of the EU’s 15% interconnection target for 2030.
  • The package proposes a three‑year cap on permits and about €30 billion in the next EU budget to speed cross‑border infrastructure.
  • The Commission will set up high‑level coordination and seeks a joint declaration at a Southwest Europe ministerial in Q1 2026 to confirm the start of at least one project.
  • Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen acknowledged French hesitation and said stronger links can prevent frequent outages and reduce persistent price gaps.