WRITTEN QUESTION E-2568/01 by Richard Corbett (PSE) to the Commission. EU assistance for hydrological projects in Spain.
Date: 2001-09-21
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU aid, Spain, environmental impact, exchange of information, hydraulic works, impact study, watercourse

18.4.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 93 E/163

submarine electricity cable connecting Greece with Italy will enter in operation before the end of 2001.
Second, independent, competing generation within Greece is a precondition for effective competition. To
this end, the Energy Regulatory Authority (RAE) issued on 1 June 2001 six licenses to six consortia of
independent private companies to construct generation plants with a total capacity of about 2 000
Megawatt (MW).

The achievement of security of supply, energy efficiency and diversification to various alternative fuels and
energy sources is a declared policy of both the Commission and the Greek Ministry of Development; the
introduction of natural gas and its use in electricity generation plants is contributing to this end, as well as
the construction of wind farms and the promotion of other renewable sources of energy (e.g. through
National Energy Conservation Agency (KAPE)). The recent construction programmes of new generation
capacity of DEH are based on a variety of fuels for generation of electricity: natural gas, hydroelectricity
and the traditional lignite.

5. With respect to the separation of the network operation activities, the scheme adopted by Greece is
as follows: The Public Electricity Company (DEH) is split into four new entities, one of which is the owner
of the electricity transmission network and responsible for its maintenance, development, extension and
the construction of new lines.

Additionally, an independent Transmission System Operator has been established (DESMHE) as a joint-
stock company, which is responsible for the management of the network, as well as its day-to-day
operation, dispatching and planning of development of the network.

Whilst the Commission has some concern that the Transmission System Operator does not have direct
control over the assets necessary to develop the network 5 which would be obligatory under the new
Commission proposals for completing the internal electricity market 5 this situation is not per se an
infringement of the present Directive. The Commisssion will, however, monitor carefully to ensure that
DEH ensures that
these services are available to the Transmission System Operator on a non-
discriminatory basis.

(2002/C 93 E/193)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2568/01

by Richard Corbett (PSE) to the Commission

(21 September 2001)

Subject: EU assistance for hydrological projects in Spain

Has the Commission verified that any EU assistance provided under the Structural Funds for hydrological
the
projects in Spain is in support of projects which are environmentally sound and which meet
requirements of the Water Directives?

Is the Commission aware of the criticisms that have been made of extraction plans for the river Ebro made
by the Platform for the Defence of the Ebro (PDE)? What is the Commission’s view of these criticisms, and
will that view have an influence on the decisions taken?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(12 November 2001)

Under Council Regulation (EC) No 1164/1994 of 16 May 1994 establishing a Cohesion Fund (1) and
Council Regulation (EC) No 1260/1999 of 21 June 1999 laying down general provisions on the Structural
Funds (2), any project part-financed from these Funds must conform with Community legislation, including
the rules on environmental protection.

The Commission is aware of
the extraction plans for the Ebro and has met
representatives of the associations opposed to the scheme. It has taken note of the concern expressed in
this connection and will examine the matter in the light of the relevant Community legislation.

the criticism about

(1) OJ L 130, 25.5.1994, as amended by Council Regulations (EC) No 1264/1999 of 21.6.1999 and (EC) No 1265/

1999 of 21.6.1999, in OJ L 161, 26.6.1999.

(2) OJ L 161, 26.6.1999.