The project is necessarily scrutinized, given the context of the current energy crisis.
This Friday, the ambitious green hydrogen pipeline between Barcelona and Marseille was officially launched.
The opportunity for Emmanuel Macron to discuss with the heads of the Spanish and Portuguese government during a meeting held in Alicante, in the south-east of Spain.
What should this pipeline be used for?
The submarine pipeline, linking Barcelona to Marseille, should make it possible to transport two million tonnes of hydrogen per year, or 10% of European consumption, to the north of the EU, via France.
Green hydrogen - made from renewable electricity - should help accelerate the decarbonisation of European industry, giving it access to clean energy produced on a large scale.
Spain and Portugal aim to become world benchmarks for this energy of the future, thanks to their numerous wind and photovoltaic farms.
Where does this project come from?
Called "H2Med" or "BarMar" (contraction of Barcelona and Marseille, the two cities connected by this pipe), this project replaces the "MidCat", launched in 2003 to connect the French and Spanish gas networks via the Pyrenees, but finally abandoned because of its lack of economic interest, the opposition of ecologists and that of Paris.
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Initially designed to temporarily transport gas from the Iberian Peninsula to the rest of the EU in order to reduce dependence on Russian gas, the H2Med will ultimately only be used to transport hydrogen.
Where will this pipeline go?
The cities of Marseille and Barcelona were chosen because they offer "the most direct and efficient option to connect the Iberian Peninsula to Central Europe", according to the project promoters.
The exact route to connect these two municipalities has not yet been communicated, but “the most logical” would be that it “follow the coast”, in order to avoid too deep underwater areas, estimates José Ignacio Linares, professor at the Pontificia Comillas University in Madrid.
But a slightly different route is not excluded, the project managers having to find "the most stable ground possible", even if it means moving away a little from the coast, specifies the researcher.
When should it appear?
Emmanuel Macron assured him this Friday morning, the project will be "completed by 2030".
Its cost should “approximately 2.5 billion euros”, according to the Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez.
It will be submitted in the coming days to the European Commission in order to be able to benefit from the status of “project of common interest” and therefore be partly financed by European funds, added Emmanuel Macron.
A status made possible by the fact that the pipeline will not transport fossil fuels.
Paris, Madrid and Lisbon are hoping for a response from the Commission in early 2023.