Francisco Guerreiro questions the Commission on the new list of projects of common interest

Brussels, 30 June 2020 – MEP Francisco Guerreiro (Greens/EFA) signed, along with other MEPs, the initiative of MEP Marie Toussaint on the selection process of Projects of Common Interest (PCI) - cross-border infrastructure projects linking energy systems in EU countries.

At the moment, the European Commission is revising the TEN-E regulation so as to include binding criteria consistent with the climate objectives of the Green Deal and to introduce a democratic governance structure for the planning and selection of projects. 

Concerned with the environmental sustainability of these projects, the MEPs ask the EC if it will create a new ten year network development plan (TYNDP) and long-term energy scenario, aligning the European Union’s energy infrastructures with the sufficiency principle in order to reduce our energy demand.

They also question how does the Commission intend to take into account, in the TEN-E revision and in the transitional provisions for the 5th PCI (that will be approved),  the fact that general gas demand will decline according to the Commission’s own and other scenarios, which shows that the existing gas grid is sufficient even in case of security of supply issues, such as disruptions.

Finally, they ask, in the context of COVID-19, how will the Commission ensure that the 5th list will promote projects that fulfil sustainability criteria and can actively contribute to the EU’s short-term recovery.

See the full question below.

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