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

2. Expected Benefits of the Interconnection for the French system
Increased security of supply
main factor of risk in France :
cold periods in Winter ( 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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…