Spain will not fund new nuclear or gas power plants

The Third Vice-President and Minister for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge, Teresa Ribera, argued this Friday that Spain would not finance new nuclear power plants or new gas infrastructures even if the two energies are considered green in the region. European regulations, following the Commission’s decision. Ribera called it a mistake to mix under the same label energies that can contribute to decarbonization – such as nuclear and gas – with those that are “clearly favorable to decarbonization without risks”.

Ribera maintained that the government’s intention was to maintain “a higher standard” and announced that he was considering whether to lodge an appeal with the Court of Justice of the European Union against the decision of the Commission, adopted against the Council’s criteria.

“This requires legal analysis. Politically, we have it perfectly clear, and from the point of view of understanding, of the signals that are given, we think it is a mistake,” he added. According to Ministry forecasts, in 2030 74% of electricity should be of renewable origin; in 2040, it should be all electricity, and 2050 all energy.

There will be no problems with gas

Regarding the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, he ruled out gas supply problems in Spain due to the geopolitical situation, since the country’s supply does not depend “on a single gas pipeline, but it does not no doubt it has an impact on the price”. .”

Regarding the volatility of the price of fossil fuels, Ribera sees this as further confirmation that the energy transition must be accelerated so as not to depend on it. Furthermore, she insisted on the need for the Commission to authorize the exclusion of gas from the configuration of electricity prices, due to the difference in costs.