popular articles

Spain “Respects” the German Energy Package, Target of Many European Critics

Spain "respects" Germany's decision to implement a support plan to protect its economy from the energy crisis.

Please share:

Spain “respects” Germany’s decision to put in place a 200 billion euro support plan to protect its economy from the energy crisis, the Spanish Prime Minister said Wednesday, while the measure is the subject of much criticism in Europe.

“We respect the decision of the German government,” said the socialist Pedro Sanchez at a joint press conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in A Coruña, in northwestern Spain.

We must be “empathetic with the situation that Germany is going through, which sees its economy, its industry and German homes more affected by the war” in Ukraine, said the Spanish Prime Minister.

Germany “being the main European economy, we all want it to do well economically”, commented Pedro Sánchez.

France and other European Union officials have expressed concern about Germany’s initiative, accused of going it alone with its 200 billion euro support plan to protect households and businesses, and have suggested better coordination of national plans.

EU leaders are calling for collective solutions to the energy crisis: since the start of the war in Ukraine and the sanctions against Russia, Moscow has drastically reduced its
natural gas supply.

Germany is the country most affected by this shortage of cheap gas, a shortage that affects its industry.

For his part, Olaf Scholz defended his energy package. The chancellor explained that plans with the same objectives had been announced in several European countries, such as Spain and France.

If we take into account “the size of the German economy”, the Berlin plan is in line with “the decisions taken in other countries”, he said.

He also reiterated his support “explicitly” for the MidCat, a gas pipeline project between Catalonia (in northeastern Spain) and southeastern France, an idea defended by Madrid and opposed by Paris.

Work on the pipeline had been halted in 2019 due to its environmental impact and an economic interest then considered limited, but since then Spain has reactivated the idea of such a pipeline in the midst of the energy crisis.

Supported by Madrid but also by Berlin, which sees it as a way to reduce the EU’s dependence on Russian gas, MidCat (short for Midi-Catalogna) would allow Spain, which has 30% of Europe’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) regasification capacity, to export gas by ship from the United States or Qatar to the rest of Europe.

Register free of charge for uninterrupted access.

Publicite

Recently published in

Germany’s energy transition slowed in 2024, with a mere 3% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Political and economic uncertainty hampers investments in key sectors, particularly industry and transport.
Moldova and Gazprom are at odds over a debt estimated between $9 million and $700 million, exacerbating Transnistria's energy crisis. The separatist region faces the risk of total power outages in the midst of winter.
Moldova and Gazprom are at odds over a debt estimated between $9 million and $700 million, exacerbating Transnistria's energy crisis. The separatist region faces the risk of total power outages in the midst of winter.
In France, the energy check program recorded more than 200,000 requests in the last two days of 2024, highlighting growing pressure to meet the needs of low-income households amid the energy crisis.
In France, the energy check program recorded more than 200,000 requests in the last two days of 2024, highlighting growing pressure to meet the needs of low-income households amid the energy crisis.
The electricity volume traded on the Indian Energy Exchange surged by 29% in December, reaching an all-time high, driven by a significant drop in day-ahead market prices.
The electricity volume traded on the Indian Energy Exchange surged by 29% in December, reaching an all-time high, driven by a significant drop in day-ahead market prices.
With 707 TWh produced in 2024, SPIC illustrates the impact of public investments on the management and expansion of energy resources in China.
Joe Biden announces a ban on offshore drilling over an immense maritime area, challenging Donald Trump's energy production ambitions days before the presidential transition.
Joe Biden announces a ban on offshore drilling over an immense maritime area, challenging Donald Trump's energy production ambitions days before the presidential transition.
Three weeks after Cyclone Chido, nearly a third of Mayotte's households remain without electricity, while recovery efforts advance with increased mobilization of EDF and EDM teams.
Three weeks after Cyclone Chido, nearly a third of Mayotte's households remain without electricity, while recovery efforts advance with increased mobilization of EDF and EDM teams.
In 2024, Germany set a new record with 59% of its electricity produced from renewable sources, marking a key milestone after the complete shutdown of nuclear power. A balance of ecological progress and energy challenges.
In 2024, Germany set a new record with 59% of its electricity produced from renewable sources, marking a key milestone after the complete shutdown of nuclear power. A balance of ecological progress and energy challenges.
With the end of the Arenh mechanism in 2025, Aluminium Dunkerque is calling on EDF to offer competitive prices to remain internationally competitive while meeting decarbonization requirements.
The United Kingdom achieved a historic record of 58% low-carbon electricity in 2024, marking a key step in its energy transition and sending a strong signal to European political and economic actors.
The United Kingdom achieved a historic record of 58% low-carbon electricity in 2024, marking a key step in its energy transition and sending a strong signal to European political and economic actors.
India reaches an installed energy capacity of 457 GW in 2023, doubling in a decade. This growth highlights the delicate balance between energy transition and the need to meet rising electricity demand.
India reaches an installed energy capacity of 457 GW in 2023, doubling in a decade. This growth highlights the delicate balance between energy transition and the need to meet rising electricity demand.
In 2024, renewable energy in Portugal accounted for 71% of electricity consumption, a record driven by significant growth in photovoltaic and hydropower production, according to the national grid operator REN.
In 2024, renewable energy in Portugal accounted for 71% of electricity consumption, a record driven by significant growth in photovoltaic and hydropower production, according to the national grid operator REN.
Iran will meet European diplomats in Geneva on January 13 amidst controversy over its 60% uranium enrichment, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
A massive power outage plunged Puerto Rico into darkness on New Year's Eve, affecting more than a million households. The structural challenges of the energy grid reveal significant shortcomings.
A massive power outage plunged Puerto Rico into darkness on New Year's Eve, affecting more than a million households. The structural challenges of the energy grid reveal significant shortcomings.
A suspected sabotage of the EstLink 2 cable connecting Finland to Estonia results in travel bans for seven sailors. A thorough investigation highlights significant geopolitical implications.
A suspected sabotage of the EstLink 2 cable connecting Finland to Estonia results in travel bans for seven sailors. A thorough investigation highlights significant geopolitical implications.
ADNOC forecasts 1.744 million barrels per day for its Murban crude exports in December 2025, a slight drop compared to November. March 2025 will experience a significant reduction of 70,000 barrels per day.
ADNOC forecasts 1.744 million barrels per day for its Murban crude exports in December 2025, a slight drop compared to November. March 2025 will experience a significant reduction of 70,000 barrels per day.
Despite the end of the tariff shield on February 1, French households will benefit from a 14% reduction in their electricity bills. This measure is tied to the absence of adoption of the 2025 budget, which nevertheless has side effects.
EDF and its representative unions finalize a salary agreement for 2025. The deal includes a global increase of 2.7%, while negotiations remain open in several gas sector companies.
EDF and its representative unions finalize a salary agreement for 2025. The deal includes a global increase of 2.7%, while negotiations remain open in several gas sector companies.
The Environmental Authority calls for increased efforts to ensure France meets European climate goals, emphasizing a significant reduction in energy consumption to align with the requirements of the "Fit for 55" plan.
The Environmental Authority calls for increased efforts to ensure France meets European climate goals, emphasizing a significant reduction in energy consumption to align with the requirements of the "Fit for 55" plan.
Re-elected with 55% of the votes, Maia Sandu embodies the pro-European choice of Moldovans. This decision, however, faces external interference and a growing energy crisis.
Re-elected with 55% of the votes, Maia Sandu embodies the pro-European choice of Moldovans. This decision, however, faces external interference and a growing energy crisis.
The Inter-American Court of Human Rights has condemned Colombia for violating U'wa rights by approving seven energy projects impacting 370 km of their protected ancestral lands.
Green electricity outages in Germany jeopardize Olaf Scholz’s energy policy. Amid internal criticism and European tensions, the German model is under scrutiny ahead of the legislative elections.
Green electricity outages in Germany jeopardize Olaf Scholz’s energy policy. Amid internal criticism and European tensions, the German model is under scrutiny ahead of the legislative elections.
Spanish lawmakers rejected the continuation of an exceptional tax on energy companies, highlighting significant parliamentary disagreement and raising concerns about the future of investments tied to the country's energy transition.
Spanish lawmakers rejected the continuation of an exceptional tax on energy companies, highlighting significant parliamentary disagreement and raising concerns about the future of investments tied to the country's energy transition.
Starting July 2025, a European label will allow passengers to compare CO2 emissions from flights, aiming to promote less polluting options.
Starting July 2025, a European label will allow passengers to compare CO2 emissions from flights, aiming to promote less polluting options.

Advertising