Secretariat convenes meetings to boost sustainable large infrastructure development in the Energy Community

The Energy Community Groups for electricity, gas and oil, charged with steering the process of selecting key infrastructure projects, met on 18 and 19 March. The Groups discussed the methodology for assessing the potential candidate Projects of Energy Community Interest (PECI) and Projects of Mutual Interest (PMI) submitted by project promoters, verifying that they meet the eligibility criteria defined in the Regulation (EU) 347/2013 on guidelines for trans-European energy infrastructure.

Country-specific data submitted by the line ministries of the Contracting Parties were also verified.

In addition, the participants agreed on the methodology and scenarios to be used in assessing the benefit-cost ratio of the individual projects to result in their ranking. In line with decarbonisation objectives, the gas market modelling will now include a "green scenario", based on a pathway where the Energy Community Contracting Parties are following a decarbonisation path as is the EU. Scenarios will also include potential security of gas supply disruptions. To obtain tangible results, the importance of having accurate and complete data was once again reiterated.

The meeting was held digitally as part of the Secretariat’s response to the COVID-19 situation and measures issued by the Austrian authorities.

One of the key objectives of the Energy Community is to create an integrated energy market allowing for cross-border energy trade and integration of renewable energy, which is not possible without a well-interconnected energy infrastructure. In 2015, the Energy Community adopted Regulation (EU) 347/2013, with certain adaptations. The Regulation provides for a set of measures to facilitate investments in energy infrastructure.