As Europe is looking to reduce its dependance on Russian gas supplies, a pipeline from Portugal through Spain and France to central Europe is being explored as an alternative. Luxembourg is linked to the natural gas transport networks of Germany, Belgium and France and its gas supply is entirely covered by imports.

"This new interconnection, this gas pipeline could be operating in about eight or nine months on the southern side of the border, that is, from the Pyrenees to Spain," said Spain’s energy minister Teresa Ribera, speaking to national broadcaster TVE.

The project has been backed by German chancellor Olaf Scholz who has already been in contact with leaders from Spain, Portugal, France and the European Commission.

Portugal and Spain have been in support of the pipeline as the two countries can receive shipments of liquified gas. Their main suppliers are Algeria, Nigeria and the United States, according to data from the International Energy Agency. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has said the European Union had to pay for interconnections, reports Reuters.

EU member states agreed to reduce natural gas demand by 15% by 31 March 2023. With a gas shortage likely this winter, Luxembourg energy minister (déi Gréng) is to encourage Luxembourg's economic actors to make a major effort to be more energy efficient. Turmes said a