Ecologists in Acción have warned of the presence of seismic activities in the underwater electric interconnection project between the Spanish and French states. The Megaproject project aims to connect the electrical systems between the two states through the Gulf of Bizkaia via a large submarine cable. On 10 July, however, three earthquakes were recorded on the French coast, at the height of Arcachon. The intensity of these earthquakes was 2.2 to 2.5 mbLg and the mean distance between the hypocenters was 5 kilometers.

The environmental organization has pointed out that, although three low-intensity earthquakes were recorded, they occurred in an area considered "stable" in its territory. Added to this are the "problems that the promoters had throughout the month of October". Specifically, on 18 October 2019, the consortium formed by INELFE, REE Spain and the operators of the French electricity system RTE announced its decision not to cross the Capbreton Canyon. The consortium acknowledged that “it is not possible to guarantee the stability of the path in the lifetime of the link”. Ekologistak Martxan has been “concerned” to note that in such a short time there are problems of geological stability, and especially knowing that the project life span will be several decades.

The organisation recalls that this interconnection was declared by the European Union Energy Committee (EU) as a Project of Common Interest, which accelerates the processes. In this case, it represents a lost fund subsidy of EUR 578 million from European funds. This represents almost a third of the almost EUR 1.75 billion budgeted, the maximum granted to a similar project. In the opinion of the environmental group, this would be the only reason that would justify the construction of such a complex project, as the EU itself acknowledges in its adoption.

However, taking into account all the risks that have arisen from the preparation of the project, according to the organization, the application of the precautionary principle “seems logical” that consumers do not have to pay the project’s costs with bill, as well as any cost overruns that may occur. No to electrical interconnection! These facts have been made known by the citizen platform and the Energy Megaprojects Support Network. Above all, to “avoid another project condemned to failure” such as the Castor gas tank. Due to the seismic activity caused by its activity, there was “the cessation of its activity and the paralysis of the project”, while consumers compensated the promoter company with €1,350 million.