Pilar DEL CASTILLO VERA

What Pilar DEL CASTILLO VERA has said (13)

• 2026-06-16 “Thank you very much. President. Vice president. Finally, we have this much awaited technological sovereignty package. This is a time when Europe is around 80% dependent on digital infrastructure outside of Europe. That's around €240 billion cost. Cloud and data centers are very important, but we need to strengthen this further. We're not really reducing dependency. There are still parts of the public sector that are hugely dependent and dependent on foreign service providers. There's still these large companies that dominate their cloud providers. Artificial intelligence data centers are so important for our digital economy. And this is key. Data centers are not just technical infrastructure. They are really the heart of digital power. Who controls the data, the quality of the service, and how resilient we can be in the face of crisis if we want true digital sovereignty. This package needs to go from crisis management to building our European capacity. Thank you.”
  EU digital & tech sovereignty
• 2026-06-16 “To vice president, I'd like to begin by sharing 3 pieces of news. 1st of all, a couple of days ago, 1 of the key developers of AI in the world restricted formally access to the most advanced models. Secondly, last week, China announced an investment of $3,000,000,000 in a network center, data center. 80% of technology used will come from national providers and producers. And recently, we've seen how Iran has, has established that cloud systems of Bahrain and a number of other countries in The Gulf will be strategic targets. So it's not just an issue of competitiveness. It's an issue at the same time of a of strategy, of security as well. So the ambition behind this particular proposal has to lead to concrete results. 1st of all, we have to threefold increase our capacity by 2,030. We cannot have any delay on this. We have to reduce our dependency on external, conductors, and we have to close-up any sort of gaps that might lead to vulnerabilities. We have to have development progress on this particular front. The energy, digital, technologies and steps forward on this is absolutely imperative. The future doesn't depend on intentions. It depends on concrete results. Thank you very much.”
  EU digital & tech sovereignty
• 2026-06-16 “President. The vice president. I'd like to begin by sharing three pieces of news. First of all, a couple of days ago, one of the key developers of AI in the world restricted formerly access to the most advanced models. Secondly. Last week, China announced an investment of $3 billion in a network center data center. 80% of technology used will come from national providers and producers. And recently, we've seen how Iran has has established that cloud systems of Bahrain and a number of other countries in the Gulf will be strategic targets. So it's not just an issue of competitiveness. It's an issue at the same time of a of strategy, of security as well. So the ambition behind this particular proposal has to lead to concrete results. First of all, we have to threefold increase our capacity by 2030. We cannot have any delay on this. We have to reduce our dependency on external conductors, and we have to close up any sort of gaps that might lead to vulnerabilities. We have to have development progress on this particular front. The energy, digital technologies and steps forward on this is absolutely imperative. The future doesn't depend on intentions. It depends on concrete results. Thank you very much.”
  EU digital & tech sovereignty
• 2025-06-18 “E-002456/2025 Answer given by Mr Jørgensen on behalf of the European Commission The Commission has not been made formally aware nor received any official communication from the Spanish Government about such matter. An investigation into the incident on 28 April 2025 was launched in accordance with EU acquis. The Expert Panel carrying out the investigation has adopted a first deliverable in October 2025, a factual report 1 presenting the facts and data about the incident. A final report containing recommendations is expected three to four months after the factual report. Spain and Portugal submitted to the Commission their ex post evaluation reports, pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2019/941 2 on risk preparedness in the electricity sector. These reports were presented to and discussed with all Member States at dedicated meetings of the Electricity Coordination Group on 30 July 2025 and 3 September 2025. Further meetings of the Electricity Coordination Group will be convened regularly to discuss the deliverables of the two reports submitted by Spain and Portugal and the one from the Expert Panel. 1 https://eepublicdownloads.blob.core.windows.net/public-cdn-container/cleandocuments/Publications/2025/entso-e_incident_report_ES-PT_April_2025_06.pdf. 2 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2019/941/oj/eng - OJ L 158, 14.6.2019, pp. 1–21.”
  EU energy infrastructure integration · EU approach to electricity market and prices
• “President. Commissioner, if you want a competitive economy with AI cloud computing data storage and so on. If you want all of that, you need really high capacity grids. If you also want to bring down energy prices for citizens and companies, then you need to take account of the broader picture. We're seeing exponential growth in demand for old grids that need renewal and modernisation. There's also grid congestion, costing up to €26 billion over the next five years. And on top of all that, we have a 15% interconnection target for 2030. But in Spain we currently have 3.6%. So it's a good proposal from the commission. We need to simplify Permitting, we need to look at security of supply right from the design change. We design stage. We have to move towards digitalization. We have to take account of this in the MF two. We need that bigger picture. It's greater than the sum of its parts. We need EU wide action. We need a single market based approach. That is the way to do it, which will also allow priority projects such as the eight energy superhighways to be developed. And in the case of the Iberian Peninsula, this will be the euro Iberian Highway through the Pyrenees. And we need urgent action there. We need to ensure the interconnections. We've got the legislation now coming to Parliament, so it is incumbent upon us now to act as quick as possible. Thanks.”
  EU energy infrastructure integration
• “Thank you very much, Mr. President. Commissioner. The current energy system is made up of multiple layers that are inextricably linked. Electricity grids depend on digital networks for real time checks. Then a lot depends on data availability. And our energy system also depends on satellites. That's why energy and digitalization cannot be treated as silos. On the contrary, we have to make sure that we take a more integrated approach. It's also important to move forward with new digital technologies. It's very clear that small nuclear reactors need less investment. They're more scalable. You can build them more quickly and they reduce our energy dependence. I can't believe that there has been such resistance to this. So many of those responsible have dug in their heels and said they're against it. And I'm very surprised that so many people are against small modular reactors, because I think there are a lot of opportunities linked to them. And then my last point is about transparency. Do you know what type of transparency is the best? I'm referring to electricity bills. You need consumers to understand their electricity bill from the moment they receive it and open it up.”
  Nuclear energy
• “Mr. president, Commissioner, we have a valuable roadmap now to putting an end to Russian energy imports. This is a guide which includes an ambitious list of actions. Some refer to nuclear energy as a way of stopping new uranium contracts. Russian gas needs to be replaced by 2027, though most of these measures, however, are linked to gas bans on import based on spot contracts, which must be phased out at the very latest by the end of 2025, and the longer term contracts, which need to be concluded by the end of 2027. On these two points, the Commission must implement effective tools and tools that are legally solid to facilitate the breaking of these contracts without penalising European importers, so legal solidity is essential. Unless we safeguard this, Europe will have to pay for these contracts and Russia will still keep their gas. Thank you.”
  EU approach to energy security (home-made vs import sources)
• “Vice president. Vice president. The Draghi report laid down a path. Now we have a compass. In order to go down this path, the destination is clear, a competitive Europe. But speed is of the essence on this path. The European Commission has pressing down on the accelerator with a set of measures that will be unveiled in a few days, in the form of the clean industrial deal. But because of the special circumstances, we need special procedures. We mustn't get bogged down in long implementation and transposition. We need to make sure that we reduce the administrative burden immediately, and we need to progress quickly when it comes to getting rid of the burdens or the barriers in our single market, which is why we cannot make the most of the. Make the most of economies of scale on our continent is our best friend. There is a sense of urgency, but it mustn't be watered down in a long winded legislative procedure, which will mean that we will get there late once again. We need to have rapid intervention mechanisms, and that's where we have the omnibus proposal five simplification packages targeting existing legislation. Of course, we will be welcoming the first package very soon. The destination is clear. We have the road mapped out for us, but we need to get to our destination quickly. That's in our hands.”
  Overall simplification of regulation in the EU
• “Thank you very much. President, vice president and dear colleagues, members of the European Parliament, vice president. The world is not changing. The world has already changed. In historical moments. I think we can all agree we need different solutions now. We need to choose between watching a match or playing it. Muted statements are not enough. Being defensive is not enough. We have to start attacking because we won't be able to have any competitiveness without connectivity nor connectivity without high um. Width uh, networks. Scale is an important thing too. This is why we have to finish something that Europe has been trying to do for decades. A real single market that can enable us not just to innovate, but to compete and not only innovate and compete, but also, uh, become leaders. This instrument is an opportunity we can't miss. This is the case of the DNA. For example, with the single passport, we're going to make it easier for an operator, provide different services in different countries through a single notification. We also have to point out and this is very relevant. The Commission has shown great ambition in spectrum management. For example, automatic renewal of licences will favour investment and the rollout of 5G and six G. When it comes vice president, this proposal, I think, takes up the current moment in which the telecoms sector is faced with a transformation and will include cloud based and AI based architecture. This will allow the rollout of innovative services. Now it's the turn of the Parliament. We have to make sure that the DNA will not be a missed opportunity. It's going to mean a big step forward here in Europe to be more connected, more competitive and more autonomous. Thank you.”
  5G
• “Yes, thank you very much. Thank you for organising this meeting so much in time. That's a perfect timing since we are also expecting a new proposal for the Commission in different aspects regarding AI as well in the omnibus and and of course, and for sure also in in quantum there is no way, no, no, no doubt that the link between AI and quantum is something that it is inextricably there. I mean, this this has been said. Many things has been said now. But let me just mention, uh, another one which in terms of, uh, education, in terms of specific skills, I think is also important. What specific skills are currently missing in Europe's workforce that are hindering the successful commercialization of quantum research? Uh, in one way or another? I mean, this is something that people claim for this kind of middle, uh, skills, not only the very high, high, high one. So can you develop a little bit more on that.”
  Research priorities within the EU
• “Commissioner, the total collapse of the grid in Spain teaches us an urgent lesson. We need to put an end to the Messiah messianic vision of the green transition and the demonization of nuclear Energy. This has been the hallmark of the energy policy of the Prime Minister and the Minister. Ribera. In Spain, energy security does not require confrontation, but rather a balance. It means that every source of energy needs to play its role. From renewables to nuclear, from gas to hydropower, each has an important and key role to play. Only with technological neutrality can you guarantee the stability of the grid. And that's something that the government in Spain refuses to recognise, including today. So, Commissioner, it's essential to guarantee an independent audit of the electricity system which will require the cooperation of the European Acer. Thank you very much indeed.”
  EU approach to electricity market and prices
• “Mrs. President, vice president Council energy intensive industries are a key part of the European economy. They play an essential role in value chains in sectors such as defence and cars. Now over the years they've been competitive and they've been at the vanguard of innovation and quality. But now they're being progressively weakened. Offshoring is now a reality, as is a reduction in production levels. We're living in new times and we need new ways of dealing with these issues. Now we need a way of effectively boosting our industry. We need to be active. We need to have a faster permit granting procedure. We need a regulatory environment that's attractive for investment. And we also need a more integrated energy market with interconnected digital networks, which are more flexible. We need to bring together more innovation, more simplification and more investment. In this sense, the next Net Zero Industry Act is a good starting point, as is the announced Industrial Accelerator Decarbonisation Act. We need to be moving forward along this path. Thank you.”
  Overall simplification of regulation in the EU
• “Thank you very much. Uh, here, Vice President, thanks for being here again with us. Uh, first of all, congratulations again because we had the opportunity, as you mentioned, to debate an overview from an overview perspective in plenary. And as I said, that that time is very complete proposal. Let me focus in one point that for many years has been a matter of debate in this area, which is the ex-ante regulation in the DNA articles 69 and 83, uh, among others, with different situations where national regulators might intervene in those cases of market failure failures when there is a system of a significant market power. Uh, The accent doesn't disappear entirely. But there is some changes which are important. And in this context, I would like to you you to elaborate briefly, of course, because it's impossible. More than that, on the main benefit of these changes for investment in connectivity. Thank you very much.”