Commission Decision

of 16 November 2000

defining the specifications of projects of common interest identified in the sector of the trans-European energy networks by Decision No 1254/96/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council

(notified under document number C(2000) 2683)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2000/761/EC)

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Decision No 1254/96/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 June 1996, laying down a series of guidelines for trans-European energy networks(1), as last amended by Decision No 1741/1999/EC(2), and in particular Article 6(4) thereof,

Whereas:

(1) The projects of common interest identified by Decision No 1254/96/EC should be specified by indicating their location and, where required, their main characteristics.

(2) By Decision No 97/548/EC(3), the Commission has defined the specifications of the projects of common interest identified by Decision No 1254/96/EC.

(3) Since projects of common interest have developed and new projects of common interest have been introduced by amendments to Decision No 1254/96/EC, those specifications should be adapted accordingly. It is therefore expedient to replace Decision No 97/548/EC.

(4) The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Committee established by Article 9 of Decision No 1254/96/EC,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The specification of the projects of common interest identified by Decision No 1254/96/EC shall be as set out in the Annex to this Decision.

Article 2

Decision No 97/548/EC is repealed.

Article 3

This Decision is addressed to the Member States.

Done at Brussels, 16 November 2000.

For the Commission

Loyola De Palacio

Vice-President

(1) OJ L 161, 29.6.1996, p. 147.

(2) OJ L 207, 6.8.1999, p. 1.

(3) OJ L 225, 15.8.1997, p. 25.

ANNEX

TRANS-EUROPEAN ENERGY NETWORKS

Specifications(1) (in the right column) of projects of common interest (in the left column) identified by Decisions No 1254/96/EC, No 1047/97/EC and No 1741/1999/EC

ELECTRICITY NETWORKS

(a) Connection of isolated electricity networks to European interconnected networks

>TABLE>

(b) Development of electricity interconnections between Member States

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(c) Development of internal electricity connections necessary to make the best use of interconnections between Member States

>TABLE>

(d) Development of electricity interconnections with third countries in Europe and the Mediterranean region helping to improve the reliability, security and supply of Community electricity networks

>TABLE>

NATURAL GAS NETWORKS

(e) Introduction of natural gas into new regions

>TABLE>

(f) Connection of isolated gas networks to European interconnected networks, including the improvement of the existing networks, and connection of separate natural gas networks

>TABLE>

(g) Increasing reception (LNG) and storage capacities necessary to satisfy demand, and diversification of supply sources and routes for natural gas

>TABLE>

(h) Increasing transmission capacity (gas delivery pipelines) necessary to meet demand and diversification of supply sources and routes for natural gas

>TABLE>

(1) All projects in the list below are specified without prejudice to the results of the Environmental Impact Assessment for the projects.