The minister for the Ecological Transition in functions, Teresa Ribera, has presided over in Madrid a meeting between the Governments of Portugal, France and Spain, together with the European Commission, to strengthen and build new formulas of interregional cooperation that reinforce the paths of decarbonization raised for each of the transboundary States in their respective energy and climate plans.

The delegations of the three countries have been accompanied by representatives of the European Commission, national managers of electricity transport networks and the association that brings them together at the community level, ENTSO-E. The attendees agreed that the next few years will be marked by a massive inflow of renewable energy into the energy systems of Spain, France and Portugal, a decisive issue not only to comply with the Paris Agreement to combat climate change but also to place the citizen in the center of the energy system, ensuring the provision of clean and affordable energy.

They also share that, in order for this new framework to develop to its full potential, it is not enough for each country to design a national strategy to achieve European objectives, but interregional cooperation between transboundary States will be essential. In this way, they can jointly explore the best technologies for the different geographical locations, exchange good practices or develop larger markets, so that the production of energy is more accessible, cheaper and safer for the consumer.

In fact, the Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council, of December 11, 2018, on the governance of the Union of Energy and Climate Action, which establishes the obligation for member states to develop Integrated National Energy and Climate Plans (PNIECs), as well refers to the regional cooperation of neighboring countries for the development of such plans.

Storage to achieve climate objectives

The meeting also highlighted the importance of cooperation between the three countries to strengthen the management and flexibility of the electricity system, which is increasingly renewable. In this sense, the attendees have highlighted the need to continue working on energy interconnection projects between the three countries and, at the same time, have stressed the role that storage systems will have in this new energy mix to achieve ambition goals. climate that Portugal, Spain and France share, together with the European Commission.

The three countries have agreed to continue strengthening cooperation, and sharing best practices to strengthen energy and climate plans.

Facilitate compliance with energy and climate plans

Acting Minister Teresa Ribera stressed that "the objective of this meeting is to work on a model of subregional cooperation that facilitates compliance with our Integrated National Plans of Energy and Climate with the maximum possible incorporation of renewable energies in networks that must be smart " "Interconnections or storage are some of the key issues of this new model, together with the flexibilization or digitalization of our networks, which constitute challenges for regulators and administrations, but also for all system operators: technicians, politicians, social agents, or environmental All of them will be key to the success of an integrated vision that allows us to meet our European objectives to combat climate change within the framework of Paris Agreement"he has pointed out.



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