Cubnezais-Gatika underwater electrical interconnection
5.10.2020
Question for written answer E-005432/2020
to the Commission
Rule 138
Pernando Barrena Arza (GUE/NGL)
The Infrastructure Package was adopted in 2013 by means of Regulation (EU) No 347/2013 on guidelines for trans-European energy infrastructure, which set out the requirements for projects of common European interest.
Under the heading ‘Priority Corridor North-South Electricity Interconnections in Western Europe’ (NSI West Electricity) , the interconnection between Cubnezais and Gatika (2.7) was included in the 2nd list of projects established by the Regulation. On the grounds that there were technical complications and potential benefits for industry in the ‘Cañón de Capbreton’, the Commission granted the promoter EUR 578 million from the Connecting Europe Facility fund.
On 18 October 2019, the promoter of the INELFE project (made up of Red Eléctrica de España and RTE) ceased all drilling of the Cañón de Capbreton citing the ‘instability of its seabed’ and announced an alternative intermediate land route to bypass the Cañón, turning the initial project into two underwater routes.
- 1.Since the grounds for granting the aid have ceased to exist, does the Commission consider that the aid in the amount of EUR 578 million is still justified?
- 2.Does the Commission plan on reviewing the inclusion of this project on the list of plans of common European interest or does it intend to leave it as it is, despite the fact that the change clearly means that there is new project, which is different from the one initially approved?