Spain France Interconnection CEER Workshop J VERSEILLE Director System Development 13th February 2007

Expected Benefits of the Interconnection for the French system Increased security of supply main factor of risk in France : cold periods in Winter (+ 1800 MW/°C) due to anticyclonic conditions often affect at the same time the Northern part of Europe Spain can experience milder conditions at this time Support from the spanish system to the french system expected in such situations (ex : winter 2005) Market opportunities High sensitivity of Spanish system to climatic conditions Large variations of hydro generation on a yearly or seasonal basis Large variations of wind generation on a weekly daily basis High level of consumption in Summer in Spain Market opportunities for increased imports /exports

Administrative procedures in France Project endorsed by the Ministry Public debate (expression of public opinion on the project) 18 – 24 Months Determination of general route 30 – 42 months Prior consultation identifying study area progressively define less impact area produce the impact study Declaration of public interest (DUP) Consultation of mayors and departments Public inquiry => Obtaining DUP Determining the precise line route in details 12 – 18 months Approval of technical drawing Planning permission Amicable agreements and easements Construction work 12 – 24 Months

France – Spain Interconnection : present situation Public debate held in march – june 2003 local opposition against the proposed route Ministry asked to propose new options Three main options to cross the border prepared by RTE / REE compromise to be found between environmental aspects efficiency for the power system local acceptance No decision taken yet

Origin of the difficulties History of the project : a previous project in another area stopped in 1996… Crossing the border needs a high level political agreement Agreement between national and regional/local authorities is a prerequisite Acceptable compromises on one side of the border can be contradictory with the objectives of the other party At the local level no clear and obvious advantages Rejection of the usefulness of the line Ideologic opposition Landscape preservation Nimby or Banana… Interconnection : two countries, twice as many stakeholders with various objectives…