Key cross border infrastructure projects
Projects of common interest (PCIs) are key cross border infrastructure projects that link the energy systems of EU countries.
They are intended to help the EU achieve its energy policy and climate objectives: affordable, secure and sustainable energy for all citizens, and the long-term decarbonisation of the economy in accordance with the Paris Agreement.
This short video “What are the Projects of Common Interest?” explains it further.
Who can become a PCI ?
The project must have a significant impact on energy markets and market integration in at least two EU countries, boost competition on energy markets and help the EU's energy security by diversifying sources as well as contribute to the EU's climate and energy goals by integrating renewables.
The selection process gives preference to projects in priority corridors, as identified in the Trans-European Networks for Energy (TEN-E) policy.
PCI advantages
Projects of Common Interest benefit from
- accelerated planning and permit granting
- a single national authority for obtaining permits
- improved regulatory conditions
- lower administrative costs due to streamlined environmental assessment processes
- increased public participation via consultations
- increased visibility to investors
They also have the right to apply for funding from the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF).
The PCI lists
Every two years since 2013, the European Commission draw up a new list of PCIs.
- First PCI list: Regulation (EU)1391/2013 of 13 October 2013
- Second PCI list: Regulation (EU) 2016/89 18 November 2015
- Third PCI list: Regulation (EU) 2018/540 of 23 November 2017
On 31 October 2019 the Commission published its fourth list of PCIs (EU) 2020/389, which contains 149 projects; 100 electricity transmission and storage, 6 smart grid deployment, 32 gas, 6 oil and 5 cross-border carbon dioxide networks.
In April 2020, the Commission published the technical document for the 4th PCI list, which provides a technical description of all projects, information on promotes and commissioning dates.
Before and during the implementation of PCIs, comprehensive impact assessments and public consultation processes are organised with a wide range of stakeholders, especially citizens and NGOs. The results of the public consultations are available here:
- 2019 Consultation on the list of candidate PCI for oil
- 2019 Consultation on the list of candidate PCI for CO2 networks
- 2019 Consultation on the list of candidate PCI for smart grids
- 2019 Consultation on the list of candidate PCI in gas
- 2018 Consultation on the list of candidate PCI in electricity infrastructure
- 2017 Consultation on the 3rd list of proposed PCIs in energy infrastructure and additional projects in oil and smart grids and cross-border carbon dioxide transport (CO2 networks)
- 2014-2015 Consultation on the 2nd list of proposed PCIs in energy infrastructure in the field of smart grids and additional projects in oil, gas and electricity
- 2012 First consultation on potential PCIs (May-June), second consultation on potential PCIs (June- October)
Documents
- Technical document for 4th PCI list (March 2020)
- Member States contact points for the submission of proposals (April 2019)
- Delegated Regulation establishing the EU's 4th PCI list (EU) 2020/389
- Commission Staff Working Document accompanying the 4th PCI list SWD (2019) 395 final
- Memo: Questions and answers on the PCIs in energy (October 2019)
- Technical document for 3rd PCI list (April 2018)
- Delegated Regulation amending Regulation on guidelines for trans-European energy infrastructure (EU) No 347/2013 (C(2017) 7834 final)
- Annex to the Delegated Regulation C(2017) 7834 final
- Commission Staff Working Document on the third (2017) PCI list SWD(2017) 425 final
- List of PCIs per Member State (23 November 2017)
- Communication on strengthening Europe's energy network (November 2017)
- Regulation on guidelines for trans-European energy infrastructure (EU) No 347/2013