Enagás CEO Arturo Gonzalo stressed the importance of natural gas and gas infrastructures for the energy system as a whole, both at critical times and on an ongoing basis. "The gas system is also essential for the security and support of the electricity system," he said at the 23rd IESE Energy Meeting, held on 11 February in Madrid.
During his speech at the round table discussion “Unique opportunity for Spain and Portugal: are the Pyrenees energy-permeable?” the Enagás CEO stressed the key role of cross-border infrastructures, highlighting the value of those on the Iberian Peninsula. "Spain and Portugal have practically integrated gas systems", he said, and he highlighted the constant support and communication between the two countries to reinforce the operation of the system.
"Interconnections are essential for the European internal market to become a reality", he pointed out, adding that these infrastructures boost both the present security of supply and the energy transition with renewable molecules.
The European Commission is making a firm commitment to strengthen these pan-European infrastructures. Arturo Gonzalo emphasised that the H2med project is "one of the 8 energy highways identified by the European Commission in the Grids Package". In this regard, he underlined Germany's "absolute support" for the corridor, as the country considers the supply of competitive green hydrogen from the Iberian Peninsula to be indispensable in order to meet its decarbonisation objectives.
The round table was also attended by the Chairman and CEO of REN, Rodrigo Costa, and the CEO of Redeia, Roberto García Merino, in a session moderated by the Managing Partner of Energy, Resources and Industry at Deloitte Spain, Oliverio Álvarez.
