France-Spain gas pipeline's viability questioned by European Commission
A debate regarding the economic viability of a gas pipeline connecting Spain and France has been opened up after the release of a report by the European Commission.
The Commission had previously backed the $3bn plan, according to Reuters sources, which would allow Spain to double the amount of gas passed through the Pyrenees mountains to France while also reducing Europe’s reliance on Russian gas.
However, the Commission has since carried out a study that indicates the project is unlikely to be economically viable.
French regulators had previously shown concerns with the security of the pipeline and activists have also argued the pipeline would prevent both countries from reaching their fossil fuel targets set by the Paris agreement.
The Commission’s report was carried out by Poyry a consultancy agency hired to supervise the first phase of the project and will be discussed at a meeting on Wednesday.