Spain advocates increasing and strengthening interconnections and energy efficiency in the EU

Daniel Navia attends the Council of EU Energy Ministers in Brussels

Member States have exchanged views on energy and climate measures for 2030.

[Img # 22146] El Secretary of State for Energy, Daniel Navia, has gone to Council of Energy Ministers of the European Union held in Brussels, Where Member States have exchanged views on the energy and climate measures for 2030 of the so-called «Winter Package» proposals by the European Commission last November.

The measures are specified in eight legislative proposals that will mark the roadmap for achieving the energy and climate objectives of the UE to 2030. The ultimate goal is for European Union lead the energy transition, with necessary investments and the strengthening of the internal market.

The Secretary of State has welcomed the objectives and content of the roadmap proposed by the Commission and has pointed out that Spain It already applies some of the proposals, such as the integration of renewables in wholesale markets.

Daniel Navia has highlighted that the proposals must take into account that a true internal market is only possible if there is a high level of interconnections with neighboring countries. And he has defended adopting urgent measures to increase the level of interconnection of countries that are below the interconnection objective, such as the case of Spain.

The Secretary of State has also referred to the potential of energy efficiency to achieve energy and climate objectives and to boost economic growth and employment within the EU

The Secretary of State has also referred to the potential of energy efficiency to achieve energy and climate objectives and to boost economic growth and employment within the UE. He has noted that this potential is not being fully exploited and that all regulatory and financial barriers that currently hold back long-term investments in energy efficiency must be removed.

Meeting with Portugal

Before Council of Ministers, Daniel Navia has met with his Portuguese counterpart, the secretary of State of Energy in Portugal, Jorge Seguro. At the meeting they exchanged opinions on the Winter Package and agreed to establish closer avenues of cooperation on energy issues. In particular, they have expressed a willingness to exchange regulatory experiences and have agreed to cooperate closely in defending issues of common interest in European negotiations, in particular to increase interconnections and to remove barriers to long-term investments in energy efficiency. Thus, the initiatives and lines of work agreed today between Portugal and Spain are aligned with those agreed between Spain and France at the summit Hispanic French on February 20.

Likewise, they have stressed the importance of giving a boost to the integration of the Iberian gas market, agreeing to advance in a structure of MIBGAS that adequately accommodates the needs of both countries.