On Tuesday, 9 April, the European Commission published the first list of projects of common interest (PCIs) and projects of mutual interest (PMIs) (see EUROPE 13302/8) in the Official Journal of the EU—projects to address the objectives of the ‘Green Deal’.
This list is comprised of 166 projects that are eligible for a simplified permitting procedure, regulatory support, and EU funding under the ‘Connecting Europe Facility’.
Once in force, the list will replace the fifth PCI list and will put the focus on the energy infrastructure needed for the climate transition, such as renewable energy infrastructure, cross-border energy networks, and, for the first time, partnerships with non-EU countries.
More than half of the selected projects concern electricity, offshore, and smart electricity grids.
The list also includes 65 hydrogen and electrolyser projects as well as 14 CO2 network projects aiming to create a market for carbon capture and storage.
Previously, several MEPs had tabled a motion to reject this list—in part, due to two controversial gas pipeline projects. This motion was subsequently voted down by the European Parliament (see EUROPE 13356/12).
The list: https://aeur.eu/f/bnz (Original version in French by Pauline Denys)