Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, lauded Catalonia for investing in the hydrogen economy. “This is incredible,” she stated during the annual Cercle d’Economia conference, which she attended on Friday in Barcelona’s Hotel W to accept an award for European Construction.
In the aftermath of the cost-of-living crisis, which has seen gas and fuel prices skyrocket, Von der Leyen’s address focused on energy. She said that the European Union is presently “seizing its moment” in response to “Kremlin blackmail” by reducing its reliance on fossil fuels.
“NextGenerationEU will help Catalonia become one of Europe’s new hydrogen valleys,” stated European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker.
“You generate a lot of energy with wind, water, and nuclear power. You’ve now created a whole hydrogen ecosystem. You’re investing in clean hydrogen production, including new hydrogen bus fleets for Barcelona and Tarragona, as well as skills and education, including a new interuniversity master’s program in Hydrogen Technologies “she said.
The head of the European Commission told the country’s political and economic elite in attendance that Catalonia is a clear example “of the type of transformation that we sought to set off when we launched NextGenerationEU.”
“In Catalonia, NextGenerationEU is already making a difference”
European funds are already being used for innovative projects that use “blockchain technology to certify the origin of wine and prevent fraud,” as well as investments in the Barcelona Supercomputing Center, which she described as a sign of “European and global excellence, carrying on cutting-edge research spanning from healthcare to climate science.”
Energy linkages throughout Europe are “vital”
The MidCat project, a pipeline that may deliver gas from Africa to Europe via Catalonia, is one of the infrastructures that the Catalan government has been fervently pressing Europe for.
According to Catalan President Pere Aragonès, this project should only be finished if green hydrogen is employed.
The powerful link between Portugal, Spain, and France, according to Ursula von der Leyen, is “essential” for Europe to remain “free from Russian threats.”
“Spain is located in the center of Europe. You are a global leader in the field of renewable energy. You have a vibrant and forward-thinking economy “Added the European leader.
Following Ursula von der Leyen’s acceptance speech, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez ascended the stage.
It was one of the most anticipated moments of the conference, as the press and delegates expected him to address recent developments in the Catalan espionage case.
Sánchez said that Spain and Portugal had already forwarded the final form of an energy accord to European authorities for approval, after pressing for “negotiations” with Catalonia to continue.
Once approved, the agreement should lower electricity rates while keeping gas prices at €50/MWh for the next 12 months.
Ursula von der Leyen mentioned the famed Catalan cellist Pau Casals as an example of today’s Europe before concluding her lecture.
“He was regarded as one of the most talented musicians of his generation. He was well-known around the world. Casals sought exile as Spain fell under authoritarian control. He chose not to perform music in his native country, nor in any other nations that supported the Franco government until democracy was restored in Spain “The head of the European Commission said.
She subsequently recalls the musician’s legacy. “Europe is now choosing sides. For the sake of human dignity and democracy, “After speaking about the war in Ukraine during her address, the leader added.
