The European Commission put forward on 11 October 2011 a proposal for a regulation on Guidelines for trans-European energy infrastructure (COM(2011)658). The regulation is part of the EU Energy Infrastructure Package which is financially supported by the Connecting Europe Facility (CPE).
Yesterday, on 12 March 2013, the European Parliament adopted in first reading in plenary session, which opens for final adoption of the text after approval by the Council.
The regulation aims to ensure the "timely development and interoperability of priority corridors and areas of trans-European energy infrastructure".
- It establishes criteria for identification the priority corridors and areas which are further defined in Annex I to the Regulation. The categories covered include infrastructures related to electricity, oil, gas and carbon dioxide. The concept of "infrastructure" is defined broadly, but has been refined through negotiations.
- The Projects of Common Interest (PCI) answering the criteria defined in the regulation will be treated under a special granting procedure defined in the regulation, which is a fast track procedure of approximately 4 years (3,5 + some additional months if necessary). Estimates for current projects are 10 years in average. It is aimed to "facilitate the timely implementation of projects of common interest" and "streamlining, coordinating more closely and accelerating permit granting" (wording from the EP version), as well as enhancing public participation.
- Of interest for the projecting and financing of these projects, the regulation lays down rules for the cross-border allocation of costs and risk-related incentives for the PCI.
- The selected projects will be eligible to financing through the CEF. The regulation has for purpose to accelerate the completion of the internal energy market, focusing on physical aspects.
The text defines 12 Regional Groups which are the basis for the definition of regional lists of projects of common interests. Only projects corresponding to these lists are eligible. The first list of projects is to be adopted by 31 July 2013.
The text needs now to be backed by the Council before final adoption. After approval, the text should enter into force at the beginning of 2014.
Source: press release, European Commission, IP/13/218.
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