Debate on new rules for trans-European energy networks

At the Council meeting on 14 February, the energy ministers discussed new draft rules designed to simplify procedures and facilitate the funding of projects dedicated to the development of trans-European energy networks. Such networks are necessary to achieve the Union's climate and environmental goals, to ensure security of energy supply and to advance the completion of the internal energy market, which would foster competition and fair prices for consumers.

© Fotolia

The discussion will help to advance work on the adoption of the draft regulation, which is planned for the end of 2012.

The draft rules are designed to address three main obstacles to more efficient investment in energy infrastructure: long and complex permit granting procedures, ineffective regulation and limited financing.

The main novelty proposed in the draft regulation is that a limited number of energy infrastructure-related projects would be nominated as EU "projects of common interest". Among the criteria for nomination are requirements that such projects be viable in economic, social and environmental terms and that they help to achieve the EU's climate and energy policy goals. The draft also proposes the streamlining of authorisation procedures and cost-allocation rules.

The Commission estimates the required investment in trans-European electricity and gas transmission infrastructures at around EUR 200 billion. A current proposal on EU funding for European-level energy infrastructure projects is EUR 9.1 billion. This would be the first time for the EU to finance the development of energy infrastructure of this scale from its regular budget.

The projects under these new rules would fully comply with European environmental standards.

More information:
Webcast of public debate 
Webcast of press conference  
Press release  (pdf)
The text of the Commission's proposal  
EU energy infrastructure priorities for 2020 and beyond