While the Iberian Peninsula registers a surplus<\/a><\/strong> of renewable energy at remarkably low prices, the rest of Europe grapples with soaring triple-digit energy costs. The reason for this disconnect is rooted not in natural resources, but in political maneuvering and nuclear interests, particularly of France. The northern neighbor acts as a barrier, obstructing the flow of affordable energy southward and protecting its nuclear industry at the expense of its European counterparts.<\/p>\n Recent electricity pricing data from February 11 vividly illustrates the rift within the continent. According to records from OMIE<\/a><\/strong> and ESIOS<\/a><\/strong>, Spain’s average daily electricity price plummeted to \u20ac4.23\/MWh, with instances of negative pricing reaching -\u20ac0.42\/MWh. Portugal surpassed this extreme, with prices averaging at \u20ac0.34\/MWh, effectively making electricity almost free. <\/p>\n However, just crossing the Pyrenees unveils a drastically different scenario. Central and northern Europe is awash in red on the price map; Germany pays \u20ac100.62\/MWh, Belgium \u20ac72.04\/MWh, and the Netherlands \u20ac88.70\/MWh. France, luxuriating in its strategic location, enjoys a comfortable price of \u20ac13.61\/MWh, capitalizing on the cheap importation from the south while maintaining the status quo for its northern neighbors. This stark contrast exemplifies the concept of an “energy island”: a resource-rich peninsula lacking the necessary connections to distribute its bounty.<\/p>\n This auspicious supply of cheap electricity may appear beneficial for consumers, yet it signifies a significant systemic inefficiency. Spain is currently forced to undertake curtailment<\/strong> measures, discarding approximately 7% of clean energy because it cannot be transmitted through the existing network. This waste not only devalues the market but also presents a precarious landscape for renewable energy investors, who need profitability to spur further growth.<\/p>\n The internal energy network in Spain is at a breaking point. The CNMC delays key capacity map releases, indicating that 90% of network nodes are saturated. Only 12% of new connection requests are approved, meaning that despite having the energy, Spain lacks the infrastructure to transport it to new industries and households.<\/p>\n Given the apparent surplus of energy in the south and shortage in the north, the question arises: why not create an “electric highway”? The response lies in what can be described as nuclear protectionism. President Emmanuel Macron has dismissed interconnections as a “false debate,” attributing Spain’s struggles to an over-reliance on renewables unsupported by its grid.<\/p>\n However, data contradicts this narrative. Spain is not entirely renewable\u2014closing 2025 at 55.5%\u2014and during crises in 2022 and 2025, it provided power to France when its nuclear plants faltered due to various issues. <\/p>\nTwo Europes Disconnected<\/h2>\n
The Crisis of Wasted Energy<\/h2>\n
France’s Nuclear Protectionism<\/h2>\n