Brussels, 21/03/2013 (Agence Europe) - The EU27 now has a simplified authorisation system for speeding up the construction of energy network infrastructure in Europe.
On 21 March, the Council adopted the regulation on Trans-European Networks for energy infrastructure. This creates a framework for modernising and extending this infrastructure, in an effort to help the EU meet its objectives in competitiveness, viability and security of supply and put an end to the isolation of some of its member countries.
The regulation gives priority to 12 strategic infrastructure corridors and domains and seeks to identify projects of common interest needed to implement them. This includes provisions on the granting of swifter and more transparent authorisations for which the duration will generally not exceed a period of three and a half years.
The text also establishes rules for possible cost sharing for the construction of infrastructure projects of common interest and includes eligibility conditions for EU project funding. The Commission will adopt its initial list of projects of common interest for the whole of the EU on the basis of regional lists before 31 July next. The EU list will subsequently be established every two years. The Commission will publish a progress report at the latest. (EH/transl.fl)