On Monday 11 May, the European Commission published its roadmap for revision of the European Union's Trans-European Energy Network Regulation (TEN-E - 347/2013), and invited contributions from citizens and stakeholders.
The document states that the aim of the proposed revision of the TEN-E Regulation is to ensure that projects of common interest (PCI - see EUROPE 12428/8) – trans-European energy infrastructure projects, the guidelines for which are set out in the Regulation – fully contribute to achieving the EU's decarbonisation objectives for 2030 and 2050, “while contributing to sector and market integration, security of supply and competition”.
The roadmap states that purpose behind revision of the guidelines is to significantly improve integration of renewable energy into European energy networks.
The Commission believes that the revised text will achieve this by removing any existing barriers for the selection and implementation of projects that contribute to the closer linking of sectors.
It believes that closer linking of the electricity and gas sectors, but also other sectors such as industry, heating and transport, “will be critical for the energy transition”. The roadmap for the Commission's future strategy in this area has just been published (see other news).
The Commission also notes that revision of the TEN-E Regulation “should also foster the deployment of innovative technologies and infrastructure, such as smart grids, networks for hydrogen and other carbon neutral/renewable gases, carbon capture, storage and utilisation, and energy storage”.
Lastly, the roadmap indicates that some existing infrastructure will require “upgrading” to remain fit for purpose in a decarbonising energy system.
The public consultation on the roadmap will end on 8 June. The draft revised guidelines - the roadmap for which will not predetermine the final content - will be published at the end of the year.
To access the public consultation and read the roadmap, go to: https://bit.ly/2yFg7P6 (Original version in French by Damien Genicot)