Brussels, 29/11/2012 (Agence Europe) - The EU is releasing over €1.2 billion to fund key Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) projects. Two Calls for Proposals were published to this end: this year's multi-annual call has €1.015 billion of total indicative budget available with €250 million for the annual programme completing it. The Trans-European Transport Network Executive Agency (TEN-T EA) will supervise funding and procedures for projects benefiting from these funds, and on Thursday 29 November organised an information day with regard to these calls for proposals as part of the “Connect to Compete” conference. At the conference, European Commissioner for transport Siim Kallas insisted that proposals should be, “robust and provide an opportunity for everyone to engage in a joint effort. All this will be done to help member states and in turn, the local authorities and stakeholders involved”.
Multi-modal. The €1 billion multi-annual programme focuses on six fields: (1) 30 TEN-T Priority Projects (€725 million); (2) European Rail Traffic Management Systems (ERTMS) €100 million; (3) River Information Services (RIS) €10 million; (4) Air Traffic Management (ATM) €50 million; (5) Motorways of the Sea (MoS) €80 million; and (6) Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) €50 million
New technology and innovative funding. The annual programme directs funding to four distinct priorities with a total indicative budget of €250. It targets: (1) acceleration/facilitation of the implementation of TEN-T projects (€150 million); (2) measures to promote innovation and new technologies (€40 million); (3) support to Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) and innovative financial instruments: indicative budget (€25 million); and (4) support to the long term implementation of the TEN-T, in particular corridors (€35 million).
Kallas also emphasised that “by directing this money to TEN-T infrastructure, we are also continuing to help the realisation of the entire TEN-T network - bringing a tangible benefit to all European businesses and citizens who will reap the rewards of a more efficient, sustainable and effective European transport system”.
Project bonds. The Commissioner was also keen to mention “project bonds” for funding infrastructure. The amount from these bonds stands at €230 million and with the help of the European Investment Bank (EIB) could provide leverage of €4 billion. Kallas said that these contracts for the first projects would be concluded, “over the next few weeks or months” (see EUROPE 10756). (MD/transl.fl)