Carbon leakage in the Iberian energy market

10.4.2019

Question for written answer E-001764-19
to the Commission
Rule 130
Carlos Zorrinho (S&D) , José Blanco López (S&D)

Between November 2018 and February 2019, Spain imported 10% of its electricity imports from Morocco and thus became an importer of electricity rather than a net exporter. This was the result of increased energy production in the African country since two coal-fired power plants, which together emit 25 000 tonnes of carbon dioxide a day, went into operation. In view of this and its effect on the Iberian Electricity Market (MIBEL) and in view of EU-wide decarbonisation targets, we would like to ask:

• 1.According to the data available, how much energy generated by Moroccan coal-fired power plants was used by the Spanish and Portuguese electricity network over the period in question?
• 2.How does the Commission intend to tackle this carbon leakage, given that Moroccan coal-fired power plants are not subject to European emission allowances and therefore profit from competitive dumping on the electricity market, which is harmful to the environment?