Energy: EU funding for priority projects should reflect 2050 climate objectives

13 Jul 2020 04:25 PM

The Commission should update its guidelines to select priority energy projects that are fully in line with its climate policy, said Parliament.

• Legislation on Trans-European Energy networks to be revised this year
• MEPs give early input on upcoming proposal
• Vote follows plenary debate on 4th list of Projects of Common Interest (PCI)

The revision of the TEN-E guidelines, to be proposed by the European Commission later this year, should be consistent with EU energy and climate targets for 2030, its long-term commitment on decarbonisation and the energy-efficiency-first principle, said MEPs in a resolution adopted on Friday by 548 votes in favour, 100 against, and 4 abstentions.

In order to ensure that the projects selected for the next PCI (projects of common interest) list are in line with the EU’s climate commitments, MEPs call on the Commission to also propose transitional guidance before the end of 2020. To be granted PCI status, projects must contribute to keep the energy supply affordable, in keeping with the five principles of the Energy Union.

The TEN-E regulation was set up in 2013, before the Paris Agreement was adopted, and several developments have since significantly changed the landscape of energy policy, MEPs recall.

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