EN    EN EN 
 
EN    EN  EUROPEAN COMMISSION 
Brussels, 4.5.2010 
SEC(2010)505 final 
 
COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT 
Annex to the 
 
REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION TO  THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE 
COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC  AND SOCIAL CO MMITTEE AND THE 
COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE TRANS-
EUROPEAN ENERGY NETWOR KS IN THE PERIOD 2007-2009 
 
Pursuant to Article 17 of Regulation (EC) 680/2007 
and Articles 9(2) and 15  of Decision 1364/2006/EC 
  
{COM(2010)203 final}  
 
EN 2   EN COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT 
Annex to the 
 
 REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION TO  THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE 
COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC  AND SOCIAL CO MMITTEE AND THE 
COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE TRANS-
EUROPEAN ENERGY NETWOR KS IN THE PERIOD 2007-2009 
 
Pursuant to Article 17 of Regulation (EC) 680/2007 
and Articles 9(2) and 15  of Decision 1364/2006/EC 
  
TABLE OF CONTENTS 
1. Introduction................................................................................................................ .. 4 
2. Progress made in the implementatio n of TEN-E projects in 2007-2009 ..................... 4 
2.1. Electricity network....................................................................................................... 5 
2.1.1. Description per priority axis......................................................................................... 6 
2.1.2. Impact of cross-border connections impleme nted in relation with security of supply21 
2.1.3. Impact of implemented proj ects in isolated regions .................................................. 22 
2.1.4. Impact of implemented projects on th e integration of renewable energies ............... 23 
2.1.5. Results achieved with regard to th e objectives of the TEN-E policy ........................ 24 
2.2. Gas network ............................................................................................................... 26 
2.2.1. Description per priority axis....................................................................................... 27 2.2.2. Impact of cross-border connections implemented ..................................................... 42 2.2.3. Impact of implemented proj ects in isolated regions .................................................. 44 
2.2.4. Results achieved with regard to th e objectives of the TEN-E policy ........................ 45 
2.3. Assessment on the main obstacles to projects implementation reported ................... 46 
3. European Union financial instruments....................................................................... 49 3.1. European Investment Bank (EIB) loans..................................................................... 49 3.2. TEN-E funding Programme ....................................................................................... 50 3.3. European Economic Programme for Recovery.......................................................... 54 3.4. Other European Union financing sources .................................................................. 55 3.4.1. Structural Funds ........................................................................................................ . 55 
 
EN 3   EN 3.4.2. IPA/ISPA instruments................................................................................................ 57 
3.4.3. European Neighbourhood and Part nership Instrument (ENPI) ................................. 57 
3.4.4. NIF / FEMIP ............................................................................................................. . 59 
3.4.5. Research and Development related Programmes....................................................... 59 
Annexes........................................................................................................................ ............ 62 
 
EN 4   EN 1. INTRODUCTION  
This Commission Staff Working Document is the Annex to the Report from the Commission 
to the European Parliament, the Council, th e European Economic and Social Committee and 
the Committee of the Regions on the implementa tion of the trans-European energy networks 
in the period 2007-20091, pursuant to Article 17 of Re gulation (EC) 680/2007, laying down 
general rules for the granting of Community fi nancial aid in the fiel d of trans-European 
networks ("TEN Financial Regulation"), a nd Articles 9(2) and 15 of Decision 1364/2006/EC, 
laying down guidelines for trans-European energy networks ("TEN-E Guidelines"). 
This Annex provides detailed information on the progress made in the implementation of 
TEN-E projects in the period 2007-2009, focusing in particular on the implementation of 
projects of European interest as well as some priority projects as specified in the TEN-E Guidelines. It includes an assessment of th e main results achieved with regard to the 
objectives of the TEN-E policy and summarises  the main problems en countered during the 
implementation of the projects. 
In addition, this Annex provides comprehens ive information on the main EU financial 
instruments relevant for the implementation of TEN -E projects such as loans of the European 
Investment Bank (EIB), the TEN-E funding programme and the European Energy Programme 
for Recovery (EEPR), as well as on other EU financing sources, includ ing Structural Funds, 
the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA) and the Instrument for Structural Policies for Pre-Accession (ISPA), and external policy  funding instruments (s uch as the European 
Neighbourhood Policy (ENPI), the Neighbourhood Inve stment Facility (NIF ) and the Facility 
for Euro-Mediterranean Investment and Partnership (FEMIP)). 
2. P
ROGRESS MADE IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF TEN-E  PROJECTS IN 2007-2009 
In the following presentation of progress made in the implementation of TEN-E projects in 
2007-2009, special emphasis will be gi ven to projects of European interest which are of cross-
border nature or have significant impact on cross-border transmissi on capacity. Details will 
also be given on priority projects, i.e. proj ects with high European significance that are 
established along the main corridors known as prio rity axes. Limited information will also be 
provided on projects that are not covered by the priority axes, but meet the EU policy 
objectives (projects of common interest).2 
The data provided herewith takes into account  the information provided by Member States 
and project promoters in the context of a survey conducted in February/March 2010. In 
addition, the information includes data provided by project promoters in the submission forms 
to TEN-E Calls for proposals, results from pr evious stakeholder cons ultation on the progress 
in implementation of TEN-E projects, and the information published by the project promoters. 
The amounts of the EEPR and TEN-E grants fo r individual projects reflect the maximal 
amount of support allocated, not  the real amount disbursed. 
                                                 
1 COM(2010)xxx 
2 For further details on projects cla ssification see Decision 1364/2006/EC 
 
EN 5   EN 2.1. Electricity network 
During the period 2007-2009, some  progress was made in th e implementation of TEN-E 
electricity projects. 
Of 32 projects of European intere st, five have been completely finalised, and for three of them 
at least one section has been completed. Compared  to the status of th e projects published in 
the Priority Interconnection Plan (PIP) in 20063, progress has only been achieved on two 
sections (Status PIP: five pr ojects finalised, one section comp leted). However, nine projects 
have (at least partly) entere d construction phase, whereas in  2006 only one project was under 
construction. In contrast to 2006, two projects ha ve been reconsidered. One of them is subject 
to important re-routing, one has been abandoned. 
The diagram below displays the status of the projects of European interest for electricity. 
Diagram 1 – Progress with the implementation of projects of European interest, electricity 
lines 
Diagram 1 - Projects of European Interest - Electricity lines - Progress in 
Implementation (March 2010)
3%
18%
16%
13%16%13%6%6%3%6%Study phase not yet started
Study phase
Authorisation phase
Construction phase 
Finalised
Authorisation / Construction phase
Study / Authorisation phase
Authorisation phase / Finalised
Construction phase / Finalised
Reconsidered
 
The progress in implementation fo r each of the 32 electr icity projects of European interest is 
illustrated in Figures A1-A4. 
For which concerns prior ity projects, nine additional projects  have been finalised within the 
period 2007-2009 and 33 projects are currently unde r construction4. Further information on 
the priority projects finalised and/or unde r construction is available in Table A5. 
                                                 
3 COM(2006)846 
4 The number of projects under construction includes only those projects for which feedback was 
provided in the context of the TEN-E Survey 2010. 
 
EN 6   EN 2.1.1.  Description per priority axis 
EL1 France – Belgium – Netherlands – Germany 
Projects of European interest  
Avelin-Avelgem (FR-BE) 
The line Avelin (FR) – Avelgem (BE) has ex isted since 1974. To increase the electricity 
exchange between France and Belgium, this one  circuit 400 kV line has been upgraded with a 
second circuit. 
The electricity line has a to tal length of 43 km and adds about 1000-1500 MVA additional 
capacity. The construction works were finalised in 2005 and th e line is fully  operational . 
However, the financial and administrative closing of the project will presumably take place in 
June 2011 only. Some last works might be conducted in June 2010.  
In 2004, the project has been awarded a TEN -E grant amounting to up to EUR 1,01 million. 
Moulaine-Aubange (FR-BE) 
Further to the line Avelin (FR) – Avelgem (BR) , the one circuit 225 kV line Moulaine (FR) – 
Aubange (BE) shall be upgraded by  a second circuit to contribut e to an increasing electricity 
exchange between France and Belgium.  
The line is 15 km long and will account for additional 400 MVA. It is currently under 
construction  and is envisaged to be operational in 2010.  
The project received TEN-E co-financing of EUR 503.450 as well as an EIB loan of EUR 4,0 
million. 
Priority projects  
Within the category priority projects, in Belg ium the installation of phase shifters and/or 
capacitor batteries in diff erent locations was recently finalise d. Further informa tion on priority 
projects can be found in Table A5. 
Obstacles noticed  
PEI: none reported 
EL2 Borders of Italy with France,  Austria, Slovenia and Switzerland 
Projects of European interest  
Lienz-Cordignano (AT-IT) 
The construction of the 380 kV transmission line from Lienz (AT) – Cordignano (IT) aims at 
strengthening the interconnection between It aly and the Austrian-Slovenian corridor.  
The planned length of the line is 154 km; it is envisaged to increase transmission capacity by 
1000 MVA. The project is st ill in the pre-study phase  and would only be operational in 2015. 
 
EN 7   EN There is an increasing sensibility of the populat ion against the project for reasons of optical 
impact, impairments due to electro-magnetic fi elds, etc. A new optimised line routing might 
be necessary. 
The project received TEN-E co-financing fo r studies in 1995 and 2001 amounting to € 82.500 
and € 355.000 respectively. 
New interconnection between Italy and Slovakia 
It was foreseen to increase transmission cap acity between Italy and Slovenia through 380 kV 
transmission lines. However, this project wa s discontinued as new projects have been 
identified. The following projec ts are currently under study : Vrtojba (SI) – Redipuglia (IT) 
(110 kV), Dekani (SI) – Žavlje (IT) (110 kV), Diva ča (SI) – Italy (110 or 400 kV). 
The length of the transmission line Vrtojba (S I) – Redipuglia (IT) would amount to about 20 
km, adding around 500 MVA. For Dekani (SI) – Žav lje (IT) the line's length would be about 
5 km, increasing the transmission capacity by up to 1000 MVA. For the project Diva ča (Sl) – 
Italy data is not yet available.  
A potential date of operation has not been identified yet, neither has it been decided whether 
the transmission lines will be cable or overhead lines. None of these new projects has benefited from TEN-E grants. 
Udine-Okroglo (IT-SI) 
This project aims at strengthening the interc onnection on the Italian North-Eastern Boarder 
between Italy and Slovenia. This 400 kV tran smission line would be 120 km long and add 
about 1.500 MVA capacity. The proj ect is still in study phase
 and faces an important delay of 
seven years, meaning th at the operational date  foreseen is now 2018. 
The main element of complexity reported is the difficult identification of the cross-border 
points between Italy and Sloveni a as there are two possible cr ossing points. The Italian 
crossing point is a very highly populated area, a nd 35% of the Slovenian territory is devoted 
to the Natura 2000 programme. The project fu rther faces strong opposition from the local 
population due to electro-m agnetic fields, optical impacts, et c. It was also reported that the 
realisation of the line depends on the completio n of the Berecevo-Krsko line as well as the 
enhancement of the IT grid. 
The project received TEN-E co-financing in 2004 amounting to a maximum of € 467.630. 
S. Fiorano-Nave-Gorlago (IT) 
This transmission line Fiorano – Nave – Gorlag o (IT) was finalised in 2003 without delay. It 
was reported that the reconstruction of the lin e Fiorano – Nave was stopped because the real-
time monitoring system on the line Fiorano – R obbia improved the capacity significantly. The 
route Nave – Gorlago was rebuilt with a length of 10 km (due to an archeological site). 
No TEN-E grant has been allocated to this project. 
 
EN 8   EN Venezia Nord-Cordignano (IT) 
This project, also known as the "Trasversale Veneto", initially aimed at establishing a 380 kV 
transmission line between Venezia Nord and Cordignano (IT). However, the project was 
subject to re-routing as now it is planned to connect Venezia Nord to Volpago (IT), a city 
about 40 km West of Cordignano. The line is e nvisaged to be of 75 km  length and to add a 
capacity of about 1.000 MVA. 
The line was planned to be operational in 2014. However, it is still in study / authorisation 
phase.  Currently, consultations with the local authorities are ongoing. 
The project did not benef it from any TEN-E grants. 
St. Peter-Tauern (AT) 
The Salzburg connection as part of the 380 kV ring is a vital factor for the security of supply 
in Austria, allowing for the integration of the increasing wind energy supply in Eastern 
Austria. It is as well the shortest connect ion to the pump storage hydro power plant in 
Southern Austria and the Salzburg Alps. 
The Salzburg connection is divi ded in two projects: Salzburgleitung Salzach neu – St. Peter 
and Salzburgleitung Tauern – Salzach neu. 
The project Salzach neu – St. Peter  is currently in authorisation / construction phase  and is 
envisaged to be operational in March 2011. Th is part of the proj ect will add about 2x1.525 
MVA transmission capacity and be of 46 km lengt h. No major difficulties have been reported. 
The project received an EIB loan (amount not communicated) as well as two TEN-E grants of 
€ 843.600 and € 1.228.200 respectively. 
However, the project Salzach neu – Tauern (Kaprun)  faced major opposition from the local 
population. Reasons were among others electro- magnetic fields, impact on the landscape, 
environmental concerns (impact on protected bi rds and bugs and forest trees), and difficult 
terrain conditions. Therefore, in November 2008 a European Coordinator was designated and 
successfully speeded up the authorisation  procedure by bringing all stakeholders involved 
together. He completed his assignment in July 2009.5 
The second part of the Salzburg connection will  add a capacity of 1.800 MVA and be of about 
115 km length. It was reported that the line will be operatio nal only in 2017.  
In 2006 this part of the project was granted € 2,66 million by TEN-E. 
Südburgenland-Kainachtal (AT)  
The so called "Steiermark connection" is, furthe r to the Salzburg connec tion, also part of the 
380 kV ring which is vital for secu rity of supply in Austria.  
                                                 
5 The final report of Mr. Adamowitsch is available under: 
http://ec.europa.eu/energy/infrastructure/tent_e/doc/salzburg/2009_07_23_abschlussbericht_final.pdf   
 
EN 9   EN This project was finalised  in November 2009 and connects the Südburgenland with the 
Kainachtal. It increases the transmission capacity by 1.800 MVA and is of 146 km length. As 
the line is fully operational, no obstacles have been reported. 
The project received TEN-E co-f inancing in 2007 of € 1,46 million. 
Austria – Italy (Thaur-Brixen) interco nnection through the Brenner rail tunnel 
This project relates to a new 380 kV transmissi on line between Italy and Austria that passes 
the Brenner rail tunnel.  
This transmission line of 57 to 65 km le ngth would add a capacity of 2x1.000 and 2x1.500 
MVA. Currently, this interconnection is in study phase  and envisaged to operate in 2020-
2025. However, there are some obstacles to ove rcome for the successful realisation of the 
project. It was reported that crossing the Alps constitutes a major challenge as well as the 
coordination and integration with the railway project (commissioning time, cost and risk 
synergies). Further obstacles ar e the network rationalisation outsi de the tunnel, and the use of 
a new technology solution (gas insulated line). 
The project cost will amount to around € 300 milli on in total. It has received TEN-E funding 
in 2002 and 2005 of € 964.000 and € 449.500 respectively. 
Priority projects  
Further priority projects along EL2 were  reported to be recently finalised: 
• The line Rizziconi (IT) - Feroleto (IT ) - Laino (IT) was completed in 2005. 
• The Turbigo (IT) - Rho (IT) - Bovisio (IT) line was finalised in 2006. 
• Italian-Swiss border: The line San Fiorano (IT) - Robbia (CH) was finalised in 2006, 
adding 1.400 MVA transmission capacity. 
Further information on priority pr ojects can be found in Table A5. 
Obstacles noticed  
- Crossing of densely populated  areas and natural barriers 
- Coordination with other ongoing projects 
- Delay due to the use of  new technology solutions  
- Environmental constraints (e.g. due to Natura 2000) 
- Seasonal constraints 
- Opposition of local population due to fear of  electro-magnetic fields and optical impact 
EL3 France – Spain – Portugal 
Projects of European interest  
Valdigem - Douro Internacional (P T) – Aldeadavila (ES) line  
The project is divided into four parts: 
 
EN 10   EN Part A : Extension of the 400 kV from Valdigem towards the littoral: upgrade of the 
Valdigem – Vermoim 1 overhead line to 400 kV (which is temporarily working at 400 kV). 
These works were finalised  in August 2008. 
Part B : Reinforcements of the overhead lines in the Douro Internacional area and of the 
interconnection between the Spanish substa tion of Aldeadavila and the Portuguese 
transmission network in the Douro Internacion al; Reinforcements of the 220 kV overhead 
lines near Douro Internacional and Douro Internacional Substation (renamed Lagoaça). 
Part C : Extension of the 400 kV to the Douro In ternacional region: overhead lines Armamar 
(former Valdigem 2 initial Substation) and Lagoaça. The voltage increase of the Armamar – Lagoaça overhead lines from 220 kV to 400 kV im plies the same upgrade in the section of the 
Pocinho – Armamar overhead lines as well as  a new segment to be removed from the 
connection at Pocinho and be c onnected to Lagoaça. It further was necessary to change the 
route of two 220 kV overhead lines (Picote – Po cinho and Bemposta – Pocinho) as they cross 
the new urban area of Torre de Moncorvo. Some de viations were also ne cessary in the section 
between the Pocinho and Armamar substations.  
Part D : Extension of the 400 kV overhead line to Recarei: Armamar – Recarei. This overhead 
line includes two new sections, one to connect  to the Recarei substation and another to 
connect to the new Armamar substation. In th e middlesection one of the circuits of the 
Valdigem – Vermoim 4/5 overhead li ne will be used (Part A).  
It was reported that most parts of the project are still under construction
 and expected to be 
completed in December 2010. The project will add an additional capacity of about 3.210 MVA and be of 204 km length. The main elements of complexity of the project reported were 
technical constraints, local Natura 2000 sites in  the cross-border point area, and local political 
concerns. 
The project has been allocated a TEN-E gran t of € 1.8 million at maximum as well as EEPR 
funding of up to € 50 million. 
Sentmenat (ES) – Bescano (E S) – Baixas (FR) line 
This Project of European Interest aimed at the construction of the Trans-Pyrenean 
interconnection Sentmenat (ES) – Bescano (ES) – Baixas (FR), contribu ting to security of 
supply, reliability of networks and an increased exchange of energy as well as the integration 
of renewables in the region. 
However, there was major opposition from the lo cal population (mainly in France), especially 
regarding the interconnection be tween Bescano and Baixas, and the project was suspended
.  
Therefore, both Head of States pointed out the necessity of EU intervention through the 
appointment of a European Coordinator.6 After a successful completi on of his mission in June 
2009, a new interconnection was proposed, now c onnecting Baixas to Santa Llogaia by a 
subterranean cable that would follow a terrestr ial path based on current infrastructures. 
                                                 
6 The reports of Mr. M onti are available under: 
http://ec.europa.eu/energy/infrastructure/tent_e/coordinators_en.htm  
 
EN 11   EN The project Baixas – Santa Llog aia which is of 50 to 65 km length is now in authorisation 
phase  and envisaged to be operational in 2014. 
In 2008, TEN-E funding amounting to € 882.750 was allocated to the project, and in 2009 a 
substantial amount of EU funding under th e EEPR of up to € 225 million was awarded. 
The project on the Spanish side aiming at linki ng the cities Sentmenat and Bescano through 
the city Vic is currently under construction  and will be operational in 2010. 
Priority projects  
A number of projects in Portugal and Spai n were recently finalised, amongst which: 
• On the Mediterranean axis of Spain the ne w connection Nueva Escombreras - El Palmar 
was completed in 2007 
• The Project Pego (PT) - Batalha (P T) line and Batalha facilities in Portugal was finalised in 
2006 
• The Portuguese line Valdigem (PT) - Viseu (PT) - Anadia (PT) was finalised in 2006. 
Further information on priority pr ojects can be found in Table A5. 
Obstacles noticed  
- Opposition from the local population 
- Crossing of natural protected  areas (e.g. Natura 2000 sites) 
- Local political concerns 
EL4 Greece – Balkan countries – UCTE System 
Projects of European interest  
Philippi (EL) – Hamitabat (TR) line 
The project aims at strengthening the capacity of  the "Mediterranean electricity ring" and is 
an important factor for the synchronisation of  the Turkish power system with the UCTE 
system.  
The 400 kV transmission line adds about 2x1.400 and 1x1.200 MVA on the Greek side and is 
of about 220 km length. It was reported that the project is finalised  and fully operational since 
2008. However, as now the line commences in Ba baeski on the Turkish side instead of 
Hamitabat, the line is now shorter and conn ects Babaeski (TR) and Philippi (EL). No 
obstacles were reported. 
The project was awarded TEN-E grants in 1999 and 2000, amounting to a total amount of € 
545.000. 
 
EN 12   EN Priority projects  
Priority projects recently finalised along EL4 include: 
• Thessaloniki (EL), Lamia (EL) and Patras ( EL) substations and conne cting lines, finalised 
in 2008 
• Connection of the regions of Evia (EL), La konia (EL) and Thrace ( EL), particularly the 
expansion of the 400 kV system to the area of  Thrace with the construction of the 400 kV 
OHL (double circuit) Filippoi – N. Santa an d the 400 kV OHL connection the systems of 
Greece and Turkey as well as the 150 kV OHL ( double circuit) Molai - Astros in the area 
of Lakonia 
• Strengthening of existing connections of the pe ripherical regions in the mainland in Greece 
- Enhancement of the connection of the isla nd of Corfu to the mainland, completed in 2007 
• Meliti (EL) - Bitola (Forme r Yugoslav Republic Of Macedonia) line, completed in 2007 
• New connections between Greece and Albania, Bulgaria and the Former Yugoslav 
Republic of Macedonia, namely the OHL Stip – C. Mogila (FYROM – Bulgaria), 
completed in 2009. 
Further information on priority pr ojects can be found in Table A5. 
Obstacles noticed:  
None reported 
EL5 UK – Continental Europe and Northern Europe 
Projects of European interest  
Undersea cable to link England (UK) and the Netherlands 
The project will link the Isle of Grain in Kent (UK) to the city of Maasvlakte (NL) by means 
of a bi-pole high voltage direct current (HVDC ) interconnector with a pair of high voltage 
electricity cables bundled togeth er and buried at least a metre below the bottom of the North 
Sea. It will increase both countries' transmi ssion capacities and enable the development and 
connection of renewable energy sources as well as the integration of remote areas. 
The cable will be of 260 km length and a dd about 1.000 MVA transmi ssion capacity. It is 
currently unde r construction  and is envisaged to be fully operational in April 2010. The main 
elements of complexity of the project are t echnical constraints, co mmercial and regulatory 
complexities, as well as difficulties in cross-border cooperation. 
The project has received TEN-E funding from  1996 until 2009: a tota l amount of up to € 
10,75 million has been awarded during this period. 
Priority projects  
No project along priority EL5 has been reported to be recently finalised or under construction.  
 
EN 13   EN Obstacles noticed  
- Technical constraints 
- Commercial and regulatory complexities 
- Difficulties in cross-border cooperation 
EL6 Ireland - UK 
Projects of European interest  
Interconnection Ireland – United Kingdom (Wales) 
The East-West Interconnector in cludes two separate projects. 
Project 1 : The East-West Interconnector project undertaken by National Grid plc (NIE) and 
Electricity Supply Board (ESB) w ill connect the Irish power system  to the electricity grid in 
Britain through undersea and unde rground cables. Connection points would be Meath (IE) 
and Deeside (UK-Wales). 
The connection would be of 256 km length and add 256 MVA transmission capacity. The 
project is currently in the authorisation phase , however, construction works are planned to 
begin in mid-2010. Contracts for the constructio n works have already been signed. According 
to the project promoter the works shall be finalised in October 2012. 
The main elements of complexity reported were  finance / credit constraints, technological 
difficulties, permits and planning issues, non-existence of long-run contracts, and seasonal 
restrictions on marine activity. 
The project has received TEN-E grants amoun ting to up to € 2,96 million as well as € 110 
million EEPR funding and an EIB loan of € 300 million.  
Project 2: Another East-West interconnector project undertaken by Imera Power will connect 
Arklow substation in Co. Wicklow a nd Pentir Substation in North Wales.  
The HVDC cable would be of 135 km length add a transmission capacity of 370 MVA. The 
project is currently in authorisation phase  and expected to be finalised in 2013. Elements of 
complexity reported were the same as for the above East-West interconnector. 
Until today, no EU funding has been allocated to this project. 
Priority projects  
No project along priority EL6 has been reported to be recently finalised or under construction.  
Obstacles noticed  
- Financial difficulties due to lack of credits 
- Technical constraints 
- Difficulties in authorisation procedure (permits, planning issues) 
- Seasonal restrictions on marine activities 
 
EN 14   EN EL7 Denmark – Germany – Ba ltic ring (including No rway – Sweden – Finland 
Denmark – Germany – Poland – Baltic States – Russia) 
Projects of European interest  
Kassø-Hamburg/Dollern (DK-DE) 
The 380 kV transmission line connecting the ci ties Kassø (DK) and Hamburg/Dollern (DE) 
aims at optimising the transfer of the increas ing amount of wind energy produced in Northern 
Germany and Denmark as well as in the Baltic  and North Sea through the offshore windparks. 
The connection would be 215 km long and could add about 2.500 MVA transmission 
capacity. It was reported that the studies are finalised and the pr oject is now in authorisation 
phase . The investment is expected to be ca rried out between 2016 and 2018. The line would 
thus be fully operational in 2018. 
Main elements of complexity of the project rela te to the fact that the line passes a densely 
populated area with numerous land owners. Furt her, the timing depend s on the dynamics of 
the wind farm installation onshore and offshore w ith a connection to the grid in Schleswig-
Holstein as well as on the development of gr id integration of new power plants in the 
Northern part of the E.ON Netz control zone. 
The project has benefited from a TEN- E grant amounting to up to € 150.000 in 1999. 
Hamburg/Krümmel-Schwerin (DE) 
This project aims at the construction of a 380 kV transmission lin e connecting Hamburg / 
Krümmel to Schwerin / Goerries in  the Northern part of Germany. 
The line will be about 90 km long and a dd about 2x1.800 MVA transmission capacity. The 
line is currently in the authorisation / construction phase  and will be operational in December 
2010. A delay of one year was reported due to additional information requests from the responsible authorities in M ecklenburg-Western Pomerania a nd Schleswig-Holstein on the 
impact of the overhead line on nature and landscape. 
The main elements of complexity of the pr oject that were reporte d are a strong opposition 
from the local population due to the following  reasons: fear of el ectro-magnetic fields, 
deterioration of the landscape. Time consumi ng public consultation pro cedures, the necessary 
integration of numerous stakeholders, as  well as special requirements on detailed 
documentation by the state authority in Sc hleswig-Holstein have slowed down the 
authorisation process. 
The project has not re ceived any TEN-E funding. 
Kassø-Revsing-Tjele (DK) 
The scope of the project is the construction of a new 400 kV  double system overhead line 
from Kassø (close to the German border) to the substation Tjele (Jutland) (DK). The new 
double overhead line will replace the old singl e overhead line. In addition, three existing 
substations (Kasso, Askaer and Tjele) will be extended with extra fields, and one new 
substation (Revsing) will be built.  
 
EN 15   EN This new transmission line will strengthen the ove rall transmission network to be able to 
transmit power from offshore windfarms to the overall grid and to connect the continental 
grid with the Nordic grid. The project is envisaged to add 2.000 MVA transmission capacity 
with a length of around 180 km. Currently, the project is in authorisation phase  and will be 
operational in December 2014. 
A TEN-E grant of about € 1,5 million has been allocated to the project in 2009.  
Vester Hassing-Trige (DK) 
This project aims at connecting the cities Vester Hassing and Trig e (DK) through a 400 kV 
transmission line which would add about 900 MVA additional capacity and be of 114 km 
length. 
The line is currently under construction  and envisaged to be finalised in 2014. Major 
complexities of the project are opposition from la nd owners as well as a lengthy restructuring 
period of authorities. Further,  the project depends on other projects, especially between 
Denmark and Germany (e.g. Kassø – Hamburg / Dollern and Skagerrak IV) and the allocation of the wind power. 
The project has not benefited from TEN-E funding. 
Upgrading of connections between Denm ark and Norway – Skagerrak 4 (DK-NO) 
The interconnections Skagerrak 1-3 have be en in operation for many years (built 1975, 1976, 
1993). However, due to congestions there is a need for a new HVDC interconnection between 
Norway and Denmark: Skagerrak 4. 
Overall objective of the project is to strengt hen the transmission network to be able to 
transmit power from offshore windfarms to the overall grid and to connect the continental 
grid with the Nordic grid. The HVDC intercon nection will either be a conventional Line 
Source Converter (LCC) or a new type of conv erter type: Voltage So urce Converter (VSC) 
used only for one DC cable and in bipole operation with Skagerrak 3. From the HVDC 
substation in Tjele in Jutland (DK) to the Danish coast there will be an underground cable. From this point a submarine cable to the Norw egian coast will be constructed, followed by an 
overhead HVDC line to the HVDC s ubstation in Kristianssand (NO). 
The cable is envisaged to add about 700 MVA an d be of 260 km length. Currently, the project 
is under construction
. It was reported that it will be finalised in November 2014. Major 
complexities of the project reported are difficult terrain conditions for cable landing (subsea), technical constraints and the need to investigate innovative technology solutions. 
The project was awarded a TEN-E gr ant in 2009, amounting to up to € 856.000. 
Elk-Alytus link (PL-LT) 
The project's overall objective is  to increase the security of  supply and reliability on both 
sides of the line, create a c onnection between the energy syst ems of the Baltic States and 
foster the process of creating a true energy market in the region. 
The scope of the project covers the double  circuit 400 kV ove rhead line Alytus - 
Lithuania/Poland border (Elk direction) and th e expansion of the 330 kV switchyard at the 
 
EN 16   EN Alytus substation for the connection of the 330 kV line Kruonis PSPP – Alytus, of the B2B 
converter station and the new 400 kV switchyard  to connect the B2B and 400 kV line Elk – 
Alytus. 
The line will add a transmission capacity of about 1.000 MVA and be of about 155 km length. 
Successfully assisted by  a European Coordinator, after l ong discussions th e involved parties 
entered the project agre ement through a joint venture compa ny (LitPol Link). The project is 
currently in study phase  and not expected to be finali sed before 2015 / 2020. Major elements 
of complexity of the project are a high popula tion density in some of the areas (property 
rights), technical constraints, as well as the crossing of natural prot ected areas. Further, 
additional reinforcements in the Polish internal grid are necessary before the interconnection can be realised.
7 
The project has been allocated TEN-E funding in 2008 and 2009, amounting to a total of up to 
€ 4,23 million. 
Estlink (EE-FI) 
Estlink is the first interconnection between Esto nia and Finland, aiming at the integration of 
the future power market of the Baltic Member States and increasing the reliability of the 
Baltic power systems, while decreasing th eir dependency on Russian power supply. 
Estlink consists of two separate projects: Estlink 1 and Estlink 2.  
Estlink 1  is of 105 km length and connects the substa tions in Harku (EE) and Espoo (FI). The 
project was already finalised  in 2006, adding a transmissi on capacity of 350 MVA. The 
project received TEN -E funding of € 670.000. 
Estlink 2  is planned as the second direct cu rrent interconnection between Finland and 
Estonia, adding another 650 MVA.  The line will be of 165 to  170 km length, connecting the 
substations Anttila (FI) and Püssi (EE).  
Estlink 2 is currently in the authorisation phase . The line is expected to be finalised in August 
2014. 
In 2010 it has been awarded substantial funding of up to € 100 million in the framework of 
the European Economic Recovery Plan (EEPR). 
Fennoscan (FI-SE) 
The Fennoscan (2) project aims at the construc tion of a submarine cable between Finland and 
Sweden.  
The 500 MW Fennoscan 1  link was already commissioned in 1989, adding 500 MVA 
transmission capacity. It connects the shore in Fi nland south of the town of Rauma, which is 
connected with the Rauma converter station by a 33 km long overhead line, with Dannebo, 
the Swedish converter station located  at the Swedish East coast.  
                                                 
7 More information on the project may be retrieved from the reports of the European Coordinators: 
http://ec.europa.eu/energy/infrastructure/tent_e/coordinators_en.htm  
 
EN 17   EN The Fennoscan 2  link will add another 800 MW, thus strengthening the Nordic power grid, 
enhancing the capacity for power trading and imp roving the security of supply in the region. 
In parallel with the delivery of Fennoscan 2, th e control system of the original Fennoscan link 
will be upgraded.  
Fennoscan 2 is of 300 km lengt h and connects the shore in Fi nland (as does Fennoscan 1) 
with Finnböle, a Swedish converter  station located fu rther inland. A 70 km DC overhead line 
connects the station to the submarine cable. Fennoscan 2 is curren tly under construction  and 
envisaged to be finalised in 2011. A one year dela y was reported due to delays experienced by 
the cable suppliers who were not able to deliver the cables according to the original time schedule. Further complexities with regard to a lengthy authorisation process, the need of 
environmental permits and Swed ish water rights were reported. 
The project has received substantial TEN-E funding in the years 1995, 2000 and 2006, 
amounting to a total of up to € 745.750.  
Halle/Saale-Schweinfurt (DE) 
The overall aim of the project is to improve the transmission  capacity along the North-South 
corridor in Germany and allow for the transpor tation of the increasing amount of renewable 
energy from surplus areas in the north to consumer areas in the south-west. The project, once 
in operation, will provide relief to existing pa rallel transmission lines. In total, the line will 
add about 2x2.400 MVA and be of 205 km length.  
The project is divided into five separate sections.  
Section 1  Halle Lauchstädt to Erfurt Vieselbach (T huringia): This part of the project is of 
about 70 km length and was already completed
 in 2008. It has been in operation since then. 
Section 2  Erfurt Vieselbach to Altenfeld (Thuringi a): The second part is 60 km long and is 
currently in the authorisation phase . The approval for constructi on and operation is expected 
for June 2010 and the line shall be fully operational in 2011.  
A delay of one year was reported which is mainly based on the longer lasting regional 
planning procedure (10 months inst ead of six), the request of aut horities to modify the routing 
due to local concerns and a higher considerati on of measures to compensate the impact on 
nature during the ongoing approval procedure (extra time needed appr. eight months). 
Section 3  Altenfeld to borderlin e Thuringia / Bavaria:  This part of the line is currently in 
authorisation phase  and subject to regional planning procedures. The operation date for this 
subsection is scheduled for end 2012. It was report ed that the project fa ced a serious delay of 
three years. Since 2006 the project is heavily opposed by local stake holders, citizen groups 
and some political stakeholders and parties. Main  reason for this is the necessity of building a 
new overhead line and the environmental impact  on the natural resort Thuringia Forest. 
However, discussions with stakeholders are ongoing and efforts are being made to include 
viable technical alternatives (overhead lines on short towers and partly buried power cable 
sections). 
Section 4  borderline Thuringia / Bavaria to Redwitz (30 km, Bavaria) and Section 5  upgrade 
(voltage conversion) of existing line Redwitz to  Schweinfurt Grafenrhei nfeld are currently in 
the authorisation phase . They are envisaged to be finalised in 2013.  
 
EN 18   EN The project was awarded subs tantial EU funding. In 2007, a TEN-E grant of € 290.000 was 
awarded. In the framework of the European Ec onomic Recovery Program, the project will 
receive a grant of up to € 100 million. 
Priority projects  
Recently finalised priority pr ojects along EL7 include reinforcements of the connections 
between Denmark and Sweden. Further informati on on priority projects can be found in Table 
A5. 
Obstacles noticed  
- Time consuming authorisation and permit procedures  
- Crossing of densely populated ar eas with numerous land owners 
- Crossing of natural protected  areas and natural barriers 
- Dependence on other projects 
- Difficulties due to weather conditions 
- Difficulties in public procurement due to pa rallel planning processes in two countries 
- General economic situation: credit constraints 
- Opposition from local population: Fear of elect ro-magnetic fields, impact on landscape, no 
perception of supra-regional or European perspectives 
- Technical constraints 
EL8 Germany – Poland – Czech Repubic – Sl ovakia – Austria – Hungary – Slovenia  
Projects of European interest  
Neuenhagen-Vierraden-Krajnik (DE-PL) 
The scope of this project is to build a tr ansmission line to connect Germany and Poland, 
including the upgrading of  the Polish grid. The line will be of approximately 125 km length. 
One important objective is rela ted to the transport of o ffshore wind energy through the 
transmission system of the North and Baltic Sea area. 
The project is currently in  study / authorisation phase  and expected to be operational in 2015. 
As for the complexity of the project it was re ported that the legal framework in Germany does 
not allow for expropriations which would be nece ssary to implement the project as foreseen. 
Further, concerns are prevailing that pertai n to the environmental protection, the routing 
through a natural reserve, the deterioration of the landscape and the fear  of electro-magnetic 
fields. 
The project was allocated TEN -E funding of EUR 283.000 in 2005. 
New interconnection between Germany and Poland  (including upgrading of the Polish grid 
according to connection as in the Vi erraden (DE) – Krajnik (PL) project) 
The link is in the study phase and is schedu led to be operational after 2015. No further 
information was reported. 
 
EN 19   EN Dürnrohr-Slavetice (AT-CZ) 
The establishment of a second system on th e Dürnrohr (AT) – Slavetice (CZ) 380 kV 
interconnection between Austria and the Czech Republic aims at easing the congestion on the 
lines. These are to great extent due to the increased amount of wind energy in Northern 
Europe.  
The line is of 96 km length a nd adds a capacity of 900 MVA. The project was finalised in 
2008 and is now in operation .  
No EU funding has been allocated to the project. 
Vel'ky Kapusany – Lemesany – Moldava – Sajoivanka (SK) 
The project originally aimed at establishing a transmission line between the Slovakian cities 
Vel'ky Kapusany, Lemesany and Moldava, and in terconnecting Moldava with the Hungarian 
city Sajoivanka.  
In the section Lemesany – Vel'ky Kapusany, a 400 kV new AC line is envisaged to add 
2x1.385 MVA transmission capacity, having a le ngth of 110 km. It is currently under 
construction  and envisaged to be finalised in June 2017. 
This part of the project was awarded TEN -E funding in 2008, amounting to up to € 210.000. 
The section Lemesany – Moldava , a double circuit line of  400 kV, will add 2x1.662 MVA 
transmission capacity an d be of 43 km length.  
The first part of the section envisages the construction of a 2x400 kV line from Moldava to 
Košice. This part of the pr oject was already finalised . The second phase includes the 
establishment of a 2x400 kV line from the switchi ng substation Košice to Lemešany. It is still 
under construction  and the line is expected  to be operational in October 2011. No delay has 
been reported and no major problems have been encountered so far.  
The project has been awarded a TEN-E grant of € 1,4 million in 2009. 
However, particular attention should be dr awn to the section originally envisaged to 
interconnect Slovakia and Hungary, Moldava (SK) – Sajoivanka (HU). The construction of 
this section was abandoned . It was reported that due to environmental problems on the 
Hungarian side the project was not feasible.  
A new interconnection between Sajóivánka (HU) and Rimavská Sobota (SK) is now 
envisaged.  
Gabcikovo – Vel'ky Dur (SK) 
The domestic 400 kV new AC tin line would co nnect the Slovakian cities Gabcikovo-Vel'ky 
Dur at the Hungarian border. It would add 2x1.385 MVA and be of 93 km length. 
The project is currently in the authorisation phase . Although no major problems have been 
encountered and the environmental impact assessment was successfully accomplished, the realisation of the project might be postponed fo r approximately a decade  as the project is 
 
EN 20   EN associated with other investme nts in the Slovak transmission gr id. The envisaged operational 
date would thus be only 2022. 
Stupava – South-East Vienna (SK-AT) 
The agreement on this projec t, interconnect ing the Slovak Republic and Austria, was 
originally signed in 1993.  
However, due to major obstacles encountered on  the Austrian side, th e project has now been 
abandoned . Reasons reported were local opposition due  to protected areas and wildlife and 
fear of electro-magnetic fields . Especially important was the high number of lines in the 
region of Vienna, such that priority was given to other projects. Further it was reported that 
the permits issued more than ten years ago have now lost their validity. 
Priority projects  
Priority projects that were recently finalised along EL8 include the following lines: 
• New interconnection between Slovenia a nd Hungary: Cirkovce (SI) – Hévíz (HU); 
completion was attained at the Hungarian side 
• Ostrów (PL) - Tr ębaczew (Rogowiec) (PL), completed in 2008 
• Tarnów (PL) - Krosno (PL), completed in 2006 
Further information on priority pr ojects can be found in Table A5. 
Obstacles noticed  
- Environmental difficulties 
- Dependance on other projects 
- Opposition from local population: f ear of electro-magnetic fields 
- Crossing of protected natural areas and wildlife 
- Financial difficulties 
- Negotiations with land owners; lega l framework: no right of expropriation 
- Authorisation procedures 
EL9 Mediterranean MS – Medit erranean electricity ring 
Projects of European interest  
Electricity connection to link Tunisia and Italy 
In 2009 an agreement between Tunisia and Ital y was signed to conduct feasibility studies on 
an electricity interconnection be tween the two countries. Aim of the project is to improve the 
reliability of the regional electricity systems, to create a regional electricity market and to transport especially the renewable energy envisa ged to be generated according to the Tunisian 
solar plan.  
 
EN 21   EN The project includes an under-wat er cable with a capacity of 1.000 MW. In total, the cable 
would have a length of 350 km. At the mome nt, the project is in authorisation phase  and is 
envisaged to be realised in 2015. 
It was reported that there is a need of increas ed investments on the HV grid in Sicily and 
Calabria Regions as well as a need to increase generation capacity in T unisia. At this aim, a 
generation project called “ELMED” (1.200 MW) based on a mix between conventional and 
RES, will be realised.  
Priority projects:  
Along EL9, the following priority project was reported to be fi nalised in 2006: The submarine 
cable between South Spain and Morocco (str engthening of existing connection Estrecho-
Melloussa II). Further information on prio rity projects can be found in Table A5. 
Obstacles noticed  
- Uncertainty of the financial results / energy  
2.1.2.  Impact of the implemented cross-border connections in relation with security of 
supply 
During the past years, substantial progress ha s been made to build new or upgrade existing 
interconnections to increase transmission capacity between the Member States. These 
developments allowed for an increased energy exchange and more co mpetition, contributing 
to the convergence of average energy prices an d stimulating market integration and thus the 
development of a true internal energy market. They also contributed to the alleviation of 
serious congestion some transmission pathways faced. 
Although a number of projects faced implementati on difficulties, eleven cross-border projects 
have been finalised since 2005, and 18 cross-borde r projects are currently (at least partly) 
under construction (displayed in Table A7 in  the Annex). For 17 of these projects, 
implementation has been accelerated by TEN-E or EEPR funding.  
Along the priority axis EL1 (France – Belgium – Netherlands – Germany) , an important 
project finalised in 2005 to in crease of the transmission capac ity between Belgium and France 
was the 'Avelin (FR) - Avelgem (BE)' line. Th is project added about 1000 to 1500 additional 
MVA. Another project, the line 'Moulaine (F R) - Aubange (BE)', is currently under 
construction and envisaged to add about 400 M VA transfer capacity when operational this 
year (2010). 
Also the interconnections of Italy with its border states (EL2)  have been subject to 
important progress.  The Project of European Interest 'San Fiorano (IT) - Robbia (CH)' was 
finalised in 2005, adding 1400 MVA to the transm ission capacity. Further important projects 
to connect Italy and Slovenia (c onstruction of a phase shifter in  the Divaca substation), adding 
2x600 MVA transmission capacity, as well as at the Italian-French Border, adding 600 MVA 
transmission capacity, are cu rrently under construction a nd will be operational in 2012.  
EL3 (France – Spain – Portugal): Substantial development is expected this year at the 
French – Spanish border. The Project of European Intere st Valdigem (PT) - Douro 
Internacional (PT) - Aldeadavila (ES) and the up grading of the 'Douro Internacional' facilities 
is envisaged to be finalised in December 2010. Transfer capacity will  be increased by 3.210 
 
EN 22   EN MVA. Another project to be mentioned is the connection between Southern Portugal and 
South-Western Spain (Portimão (PT) - Tavira (P T) - P. Gusman (ES) - Guillena (ES) line) 
which is under construction an d expected to be operational in 2011. This line would add 
another 1.860 MVA to the countries' transmission capacity. 
A number of interconnectors linking Greece and the Balkan countries (EL4)  have been 
finalised recently. One of the most prominent ones to mention is the Project of European 
Interest 'Philippi (EL) – Hamitabad (GR)' whic h due to a re-routing now ends in Babaeski 
(GR). This line, finalised in 2008, adds 2x1.400 and 1x1.200 MVA transmission capacity.  
Substantial progress is also ex pected along priority axis EL5 (United Kingdom – 
Continental Europe and Northern Europe) : The finalisation of the 'Netherlands – UK 
Interconnector Project (BritNed cable)' linking the Isle of Grain in Kent (UK) and Maasvlakte 
(NL) is expected in April 2011, adding 1.000 MVA transmission capacity between the two 
countries. However, no other projects in this region have reached construction status yet. 
Concerning the interconnection between Ireland and the UK (EL6)  a number of projects has 
been initiated. However, none of them has ye t reached construction status. Nonetheless one 
important project to point out is the Project of European Interest 'Submarine cable Ireland-
Wales (UK)', also known as the East-West Inte rconnector. It is exp ected to add 520 MVA 
transmission capacity and is currently in th e authorisation phase. However, construction 
works are planned to begin in mi d-2010 and shall be finalised in 2012. 
Along the priority axis Denmark – Germany – Baltic Ring (EL7) , out of a number of cross-
border projects only one has be en finalised: 'Estlink', interc onnecting Finland and Estonia, 
was commissioned in 2006, adding 450 MVA tr ansmission capacity. A second circuit, 
'Estlink 2', is currently in authorisat ion phase and will add another 650 MVA. 
Substantial development was reported regarding the interconnection at the Austrian – Czech 
border (part of EL8 Germany – Poland – Czech Repub lic – Slovakia – Austria –Hungary 
– Slovenia ). The interconnection 'Dürnrohr (AT) - Sl avetice (CZ)', a Project of European 
Interest, was completed in 2008, adding 900 MVA transmission capacity. 
In the Mediterranean Member States (EL9) , a submarine cable between South Spain and 
Morocco (strengthening of existing connecti on) has been commissioned in 2006 and further 
new connections in the Mediterranean Electrici ty Ring were finalised in 2009. However, no 
data is available on the net transfer capacity increase. 
These additional lines increas e the electricity exchange of the countries concerned 
significantly.  
2.1.3.  Impact of implemented projec ts in isolated regions 
Some progress was made to facilitate the inte gration of less-favoured and island regions. Out 
of the nine projects identified in the list of Priority Projects in isolated regions (see Annex III of the TEN-E Guidelines), more than half is under construction. However,  most of them face 
substantial delays, and none of  them has been commissioned yet.  One is still under study. For 
the remaining no informa tion has been provided. 
Substantial progress has been reported in the UK (Wales) and Ireland  region. For the East-
West Interconnector project conn ecting the Irish electri city grid (connecti on point Meath) to 
Wales (connection point Deeside) through un dersea and underground cables, construction 
 
EN 23   EN works are envisaged to start in  mid-2010. Contracts for construc tion works have already been 
signed, and the line of 256 km is envisaged to be finalised in October 2012. Transmission 
capacity between the two regions  will increase by 256 MVA. A nother undertaking for an IE-
Wales Interconnector project is currently pl anned and has reached authorisation stage. 
Interconnection points here are Co. Wicklow an d North Wales. Transmission capacity would 
be increased by another 370 MVA; construction works are expected to be finalised in 2013. 
Important developments were fu rther reported regarding the Spanish  islands  interconnection 
projects, such as the Spanish  Southern Cyclades to the Spanish interconnected system. The 
project has recently entered construction phase. Ho wever, the project faces a delay of 10 years 
and the line will be commissioned in 2014. Reason for this delay is a State Council decision 
to abandon the original project plan as ther e was local opposition concerning the installation 
of overhead lines. Progress has al so been reported on the new c onnections in the Balearic and 
Canary Islands (ES). The electrical connectio n by a submarine cable between the Balearic 
Islands and the Spanish mainland network is in construction phase and envisaged to be 
operational by November 2011. The submarine inte rconnection between the Balearic Islands 
Mallorca-Elvissa as well as the Majorca – Ib iza – Formentera power systems submarine 
interconnection are still in study phase, the fo rmer envisaged to be operational in 2015. 
Concerning the Italian islands , the doubling of the connection Sorgente (IT) – Rizziconi to 
connect Sicily (IT) to the Italian mainland, adding 2.000 MVA transmission capacity, is 
currently under construction. Ho wever, due to the technical difficulties it will only be 
operational in 2018. The project was awarded s ubstantial EEPR funding amounting to € 110 
million. The submarine link connecting Sardinia (IT) to the Italian mainland is currently 
under construction and was envisaged to be fi nalised in 2008. However, no progress has been 
reported so far. 
2.1.4.  Impact of implemented proj ects on the integration of renewable energies 
Given that the networks often ope rate close to their transmissi on limits already and have not 
yet been adapted to the variab le and highly unpredicta ble flow patterns of  renewable energy, 
the integration of renewable energy is a particularly acute challenge to the EU. 
To tackle this challenge there are a number of pr ojects currently realised that are related to the 
integration of renewable ener gy, e.g. offshore wind connections  implemented in the Member 
States located close to the Baltic and North Sea. The high wind penetration in these Member 
States creates a need for additional infrastructu re which is able to connect the offshore wind 
parks to the onshore grid. Projects  of European Interest that ar e related to the offshore wind 
connections and that are curre ntly finalised or under constr uction include: 'Avelin (FR) – 
Avelgem (BE) line', 'V. Hassing (DK) – Trige (DK) line', 'Estlink', 'Undersea cable link 
between England (UK) and the Netherlands', 'Fenno-Skan subsea link between Finland and 
Sweden', 'Hamburg/Krümmel (DE) – Schwerin (D E)', 'Halle/Saale (DE) – Schweinfurt (DE)'. 
Further projects integrate off-shore wind are un der study or in the authorisation procedure.8 
However, not only the increased availability of offshore, but also of onshore wind energy 
causes congestion problems in some Member States not necessarily  located in maritime 
regions. Further need to adapt networks due to  fluctuations caused by hydro and solar power 
                                                 
8 See report of the European coordinator available on Europa website: 
http://ec.europa.eu/energy/infrastructure/tent_e/coordinators_en.htm . 
 
EN 24   EN was raised. In e.g. Austria new interconnections are needed to transpor t the increased amount 
of energy produced from onshore windmills in North-Eastern Austria to the Southern consumption areas. Moreover, some Mediterr anean countries including Portugal, Spain, 
France report on the need to ad apt their networks due to the fluctuations caused by onshore 
wind energy, hydro and solar power. Examples are the Trans-Pyrenees French – Spanish Connection 'Baixas – Santa Llogaia' or the c onnection between Southern Portugal and South-
Western Spain, and connections in the Basque country, Aragon, and Nava rra or Galicia (ES). 
Tunisia and Italy have agreed to  construct an interconnector in  view of the Tunisian solar 
plan. 
2.1.5.  Results achieved with regard to the objectives of the TEN-E policy 
The main achievements made in the electricity a nd gas sectors with rega rd to the four main 
objectives
9 of the TEN-E policy are summarised below. 
(1) Encouraging the effective operation a nd development of the internal energy 
market 
This objective was at the start of TEN-E, an d selected projects have made a significant 
contribution in this area. 
During the last years, substant ial progress has been made to  build new or upgrade existing 
interconnections to increase transmission capacity between the Member States. These 
developments allowed for an increased energy exchange and more co mpetition, contributing 
to the convergence of average energy prices an d stimulating market integration and thus the 
development of a true internal energy market. 
Although a number of projects faced implementati on difficulties, eleven cross-border projects 
in various regions have been finalised since 2005, and 18 cross- border projects are (at least 
partly) under construction (displayed in Table A7 in the Annex). For 17 of these projects, 
implementation has been accelerated by TEN-E or EEPR funding. 
(2) Facilitating the development and reduc ing the isolation of less-favoured and 
island regions 
Some progress was made to facilitate the integr ation of less-favoured and island regions in the 
electricity sector. Out of the nine projects identified  in the list of priority projects in isolated 
regions (see Annex III of the TEN-E Guidelines), four are under construction. However, a 
number of the projects have  faced substantial delays, and none of them has been 
commissioned yet.  
Examples for projects for which substantial progress was reported are the UK (Wales)-Ireland 
line as well as the Spanish is land interconnection projects, namely the Spanish Southern 
Cyclades as well as the Balearic and Canary islands. Also the interc onnection of the Italian 
islands is progressing (Sicily, Sardinia). 
                                                 
9 In accordance with Article 3 of the TEN-E Guidelines (OJ L 262,  22.9.2006, p. 1) 
 
EN 25   EN (3) Reinforcing the security of supply 
The additional or upgraded interc onnectors that were recently  implemented have increased 
transmission capacity between as well as within  Member States significantly. In terms of 
security of supply this contribu tes directly to the alleviation of serious congestion that some 
transmission pathways have faced and enable op erators to optimally us e their networks in a 
more secure way. 
(4) Contributing to sustainable developmen t and protection of the environment 
This is a relatively new addi tion to TEN-E and one where th e impact is less conspicuous. 
Given that the networks often ope rate close to their transmissi on limits already and have not 
yet been adapted to the variab le and highly unpredicta ble flow patterns of  renewable energy, 
the integration of renewable energy is a particularly acute challenge to the EU. 
To tackle this challenge there are a number of projects that  are e.g. connecting the offshore 
wind parks implemented in the Member States lo cated close to the Baltic and North Sea. The 
high wind penetration in these Member States creates a need for additional infrastructure 
which is able to directly connect th e offshore wind parks to the onshore grid.10 
However, not only the increased availability of offshore, but also of onshore wind energy 
causes congestion problems in some Member States not necessarily  located in maritime 
regions, and a need to further adapt networks due to fluctuations caused by hydro and solar 
power are reported. 
                                                 
10 More information is available on Europa website: 
http://ec.europa.eu/energy/infrastructure/tent_e/coordinators_en.htm . 
 
EN 26   EN 2.2. Gas network 
Some progress has been made in the implemen tation of the 10 gas projects of European 
interest as specified in Annex I of the TEN-E Guidelines11 since 200712. Most of the projects 
have moved to a next phase of their implement ation (See Diagram 2). Up to today, two out of 
the 10 gas projects of European interest ar e finalised and one is under construction. Four 
projects are in the authorisa tion phase. In addition, there are two projects which include 
several sections with various implementation phase status: one  project is partly in the 
authorisation phase and partly finalised and th e various sections of the second project are 
either under authorisation, under construction or finalised. No projects are currently in the 
study phase. However, the study phase for one pr oject (Yamal-Europe II) could not start yet 
as initially foreseen in 2007. 
Diagram 2 – Progress with the implementation of projects of European in terest, gas pipelines 
(10 projects) 
Diagram 2 - Projects of European interest - Gas pipelines
Progress in implementation (March 2010)
20%
10%
10%
10%40%10%
0%Finalised
Authorisation/ Construction phase /
Finalised
Construction phase
Finalised / Authorisation phase
Authorisation phase
Study phase
Study phase not yet started
 
The progress in implementation for each of the 10 gas projects of European interest is 
illustrated in Figures A5-A7.  
For which concern the priority pr ojects, 12 additional projects ha ve been finalised within the 
period 2007-2009 and 13 projects are currently under construction. Further information on the 
priority projects finalised and/or under construction is available in Table A6. 
                                                 
11 OJ L262, 22.9.2006, p. 1 
12 For further detail, see Priority Interconnection Plan, SEC(2006)1715/1 
 
EN 27   EN 2.2.1.  Description per priority axis 
NG1 United Kingdom – northern continen tal Europe, including the Netherlands, 
Belgium, Denmark, Sweden and Germany – Poland – Lithuania – Latvia – Estonia – Finland – Russia 
Projects of European interest
 
North European gas pipeline (Nord Stream pipeline) 
The Nord Stream pipeline aims at linking Ru ssian resources to the German gas network 
through the Baltic Sea. No gas field has been id entified as the source for Nord Stream. It is 
envisaged that more than 50 % of this gas is diverted from existing routes. The gas arriving 
through the Nord Stream pipeline will be transported to Germany and onwards to neighbouring European countries. The main destin ations will be Germany, Benelux countries 
and possibly France, Denmark and United Kingdom. 
The Nord Stream offshore pipe line section Vyborg (RU) – Gr eifswald (DE) is 1220 km long. 
The first trunk line, with an initial capacity of 27,5 Bcm/y, is expected to become operational 
by 2011; the second trunk line, with a furthe r capacity of 27,5 Bcm/y,  is expected by 2012. 
The total capacity of the undersea pi peline is foreseen up to 55 Bcm/y. 
The project has received all environmental a nd construction permits. The authorisation phase
 
is now completed. Construction will commence in the first half of  2010. A comprehensive 
trans-boundary environmental impact assessmen t was carried out. The main elements of 
complexity reported include the complexity  of environmental studies and of the 
environmental permitting procedures that differ in the various countries concerned. The Nord 
Stream consortium has not requested any TEN-E  grant up to date. The cost of the Nord 
Stream offshore pipeline is estimated at € 7,4 billion. 
Upstream, the onshore section connecting the Nord  Stream pipeline to Russian gas fields is 
917 km long and is under construction. Downstream, the reinforcement of the German gas network (up to 850 km) is in the study phase. 
In addition, the Dutch network is being develo ped to connect with Germany and further to 
Belgium and the United Kingdom (see below). 
Yamal – Europe II natural gas pipeline 
Yamal – Europe II aims at doubling the capacity  of the Yamal – Europe gas pipeline from 
Russian gas resources to the European Union through Belarus and Poland along the existing Yamal – Europe I pipeline. The pipeline woul d be 680 km long with a capacity of up to 
43 Bcm/y. The total cost of the Yamal – Europe  II project is estimated at € 1.500 million. In 
spite of the support from the governments of the three Baltic States, the Baltic gas companies, 
potential partners in the project,  did not show interest in the project to date. As a result, no 
feasibility studies have been undertaken ye t. A TEN-E grant (amounting to € 924.000) was 
allocated in 2004 to the Polish gas company to  carry out a study on po ssible routes for gas 
pipelines from Russia to the EU, including th e Yamal – Europe II and Amber projects. 
However the study could not be carried out, given that the lack of interest from potential 
partners would not have allowed perfo rming a sound and consistent analysis. 
 
EN 28   EN Natural gas pipeline linking Denmark, German y and Sweden (Baltic Gas Interconnector) 
The Baltic Gas Interconnector would connect th e gas networks of southern Sweden, northern 
Germany and eastern Denmark. The offshore s ection of the pipeline is 200 km long. The 
authorisation phase  is now completed (respectively in 2004 for Sweden, 2005 for Denmark 
and 2006 for Germany). The pipeline was expect ed to enter into ope ration in 2010 with a 
capacity of 3 Bcm/y. Initially, th e gas was foreseen to come from a gas field in the North Sea 
which is now in depletion. The source could then  also be from Russia. In addition, linking 
Nord Stream pipeline to the Swedish gas pipeli ne network is being co nsidered, though energy 
policy priorities for Sweden are strongly focu sed on the promotion of renewable energy and 
as such, the role of gas is expected to remain  relatively unimportant in its future energy-mix. 
Therefore, the objectives of this pipeline are to be reviewed and its implementation is delayed . 
One additional year is left in relation to the approval received. This project does not feature among the priority projects for the Baltic S ea Region as identified by the stakeholders under 
the BEMIP
13. 
Apart from the change of gas sources, changes in energy policy prioriti es of Sweden and the 
diversity of authorisation count erparts in Germany and time-consuming procedures were the 
main elements of complexity reported. No TEN-E  grant has been allocat ed to this project. 
Increase in transmission capacity on th e Germany – Belgium – United Kingdom axis 
This project will allow importing Norwegian gas to Western European markets, and will be 
the link to the import pipelines Nord Stream a nd possibly in the longer term Yamal-Europe II. 
It requires two new important interconnections : i) connection between the Netherlands and 
United Kingdom, and ii) connect ion between Germany and the Netherlands towards Belgium. 
i) Connection between the Ne therlands and United Kingdom 
A major element of this project is thus the Balgzand (NL) – Bacton (UK) Line (BBL)  
linking the Netherlands to Unite d Kingdom. The link is operational  since 2006. This offshore 
interconnector is 230 km long with a capacity of  8 Bcm/y. No delays in the implementation 
have been reported though the project promoter s had to manage natura l protected areas and 
the need to re-route the pipeline. The total cost  of the project was € 500 million. Its feasibility 
study was supported by the TEN-E budge t. The BBL pipeline will be  reinforced in 2010 with 
the installation of a 4th compression station in the Netherlands. 
The GWWL pipeline  (Grijpskerk – Workum – Wier ingermeer line) is operational  since 
2007. This interconnection is 110 km long. No major problems during the implementation 
have been reported. The total cost of the pr oject was estimated to € 350 million. The GWWL 
pipeline contributes to connect Germany to the BBL pipeline towards United Kingdom. 
ii) Connection between Germany and the Netherlands towards Belgium 
The other major element of th is overall project is the North-South project Rysum (DE)/ 
Oude Statenzijl (NL) – Ze lzate/'s Gravenvoeren (NL) , crossing the Dutch territory from 
the German-Dutch border to the Dutch-Belgium border. This project implemented by Gasunie 
(NL) – also called European Gas Roundabout project  – includes a nu mber of new gas 
                                                 
13 Baltic Energy Market Interconnection Plan (BEMIP) 
 
EN 29   EN interconnections and compressor stations and is budgeted at € 1.156 million. This 400 km 
long project will be a link between Germany and the Netherlands that will allow the 
development of the European Gas Roundabout pr oject that will bring Norwegian gas (at a 
first stage) to Germany, the Netherlands a nd further to Belgium and the United Kingdom. 
This project has been allocated an EIB loan of around € 500 million. 
The Eernstunnel linking Rysum (DE) and Midwolda (NL) is under construction . This 
interconnection is 4 km long. Its entry capacity is up to 31,8 Bcm/y and its exit capacity is up 
to 12,5 Bcm/y. It is expected to  enter into operation in Octobe r 2010. The total cost of the 
Eernstunnel is estimated up to € 60 million. The project has been allocated a TEN-E grant 
amounting to a maximum of € 1.931.809 in 2009 (for the German section of the project). No 
delays have been reported for this project. Th is section is part of the North-South project. 
The transport capacity from Emde n / OSZ (German border) to Balgzand (BBL Pipeline) is to 
be further extended by 10 Bcm/y. The extension pi peline is 100 km long a nd is expected to be 
operational in 2014-2015. The project is in the authorisation phase . This section is part of the 
North-South project. 
The pipeline Ommen – Ravenstein (NL) towards the Belgian border is now under 
construction . The pipeline is 180 km long and has a capacity of up to 20 Bcm/y. The 
interconnection is foreseen to be operational in  October 2012. No delays have been reported 
for this project. This section is part of the North-South project. 
In addition to the above-mentioned projects , a connection linking the LNG terminal GATE 
near Rotterdam (Maasvlakte) to the Dutch ga s network towards CS Wijngaarden is under 
construction . This 80 km long pipeline has a capacity of 12 Bcm/y and is expected to be 
operational in October 2011. No dela ys have been reported to date. 
The LNG terminal GATE (Maasvlakte ) is currently under construction  and is expected to be 
fully operational in 2011 w ith a capacity of 9 Bcm. In the longer term, the capacity is foreseen 
to be increased up to 16 Bcm. The project will be  connected to the Dutch gas network as part 
of the North-South project. 
Last, the underground gas stor age in Alkmaar is to be c onnected to Bergermeer. Such 
connection includes a 2 km long pipeline with a 4 Bcm/y capac ity and a 10 MW compression 
station. This project is in the authorisation phase . No delays have been reported to date. This 
section is part of the North-South project. 
The interconnection Ravenstein (N L) – Vinkel (BE) is operational  since 2003. No major 
problems have been reported du ring the implementation. This se ction is part of the North-
South project. 
The main elements of complexity of th e North-South project (axis Germany – The 
Netherlands – Belgium) as reported are le ngthy permitting proce dures (including EIA 
reporting), managing natura l protected areas, crossing natural ba rriers as well as the escalation 
of contractor pricing caused by limited capacity and increasing costs of energy. 
Priority projects  
Skanled – European Gas Supply (SEGS) 
 
EN 30   EN The Skanled pipeline aims at connecting the Da nish and Swedish gas systems to Norwegian 
gas resources. The planned pipeline will go from Karsto, on the Norwegian West Coast, to Greenland, on the Norwegian East Coast, and to Sweden and Denmark. The pipeline is 
foreseen to have a capacity of 8,3 Bcm/y and a total length of 1130 km (860 km for the 
offshore section, 250 km for the Danish onshore  section and 16 km for the Swedish onshore 
section). The total cost of the project is estimated to € 1.245 million. The project has been 
allocated two TEN-E grant in 2007 a nd 2008 amounting respectively to 930.000 € and 
2.268.000 €. However, though feasibility studies
 have been performed, the project was 
suspended in April 2009 due to increased commercial risk combined with the global 
economic developments that have given an uncertain view on future gas demand.  
Baltic Pipe 
The Baltic Pipe aims at connecting the Danish and Polish gas systems to Norwegian gas 
resources. The gas pipeline wi ll be offshore with an appr oximate length of 38-45 km. The 
estimated annual capacity is 2,5 Bcm. The tota l cost of the project is estimated to €450 
million. The project concept has to be reviewed following the delays encountered with regard 
to the Skanled pipeline development. The Ba ltic Pipe implementation is thus delayed. The 
project has been allocated TEN-E grants in 1999, 2000, 2008 and 2009, which amount to a 
total of € 8.196 million. Pre-engineering st udies will be funded under the EEPR. 
In addition, four priority proj ects have been completed, incl uding the upgradi ng of capacity 
along the north-west axis: Zelzate (BE) - Z eebrugge (BE) completed in 2009. Two further 
projects are under construction: 
– Connections between north-east Germany (B erlin area) and north-west Poland (Szczecin 
area) with a branch from Schmölln to Lubmin (DE, Greifswald area); 
– Zeebrugge (BE) - Eynatten (BE) capacity upgrade (additional capacity up to 10 Bcm/y) 
Further information on priority projects finalised  or under construction is  available in Table 
A6. 
Main obstacles and/or reasons for delay reported : 
- Complexity of legal and regulatory framew ork (numerous authorisation procedures at 
different administrative levels : federal, regional, local); 
- Time-consuming permitting procedures (incl. EIA report) and synchronisation of different 
public hearings; 
- Coordination with upstr eam pipelines projects; 
- Synchronisation of gas transmission grids upgrade along the pipeline route; 
- Managing protected natural areas; 
- Crossing existing infrastr uctures (eg tunnels etc); 
- Crossing densely populated areas and natural barriers; 
- Supply chain price evolution; 
- Financing sources scarcity. 
 
EN 31   EN NG2 Algeria – Spain – Italy – France – northern continental Europe 
Projects of European interest  
Algeria – Tunisia - Italy gas pipeline (TRANSMED II) 
The TRANSMED II pipeline is operational  since 2008 (first phase). Its length is 160 km and 
its capacity is up to 6,5 Bcm/y. Th e second phase of the extension is expected to be completed 
in 2012. The extension realised is less a new pi peline than an upgrading of the Algerian and 
Tunisian sections which permitted to increase the transport capacity. The project has been 
implemented according to the initial schedule and no problems have been reported. The total 
cost of the project is not avai lable. No TEN-E support has been  allocated to this project. 
Algeria – Italy gas pipeline, via Sardinia an d Corsica, with a branch to France (Galsi) 
The Galsi project is a new gas pipeline aiming at  connecting the Algerian  gas resources to the 
Italian and European markets through a new route via Sardinia Island and the Italian 
mainland. The overall length of the system is 840 km, of which 288 km concern the Algeria – 
Sardinia section (El Kala – Koudieth Draouch – Porto Botte) and 563 km concern the Italian 
section Sardinia – Tuscany (Porto Botte – Olbi a – Piombino). The pipe line total capacity is 
8 Bcm/y. The Front End Engineering Design has been completed and the authorisation 
procedures  are now at an advanced stage. 
Construction is expected to start in 2010/2011 a nd the pipeline is foreseen to be operational 
end of 2013 instead of 2011 as planned at the out set of the project. The main elements of 
complexity reported are the technical constrai nts linked to the water depth between Algeria 
and Sardinia (maximal depth exceeds -2.800 m) and the length of the offshore section (70 % 
of the overall Galsi system is underwater). Th e project was not allocat ed any TEN-E grant, 
but is supported under the EEPR budget up to € 120 million. The total cost of the project is 
approximately € 3.600 million. 
Connecting Corsica Island to the Galsi syst em is currently under assessment by French 
authorities. 
Medgas gas pipeline (Algeria – Spain – France – Continental Europe) 
The Medgas gas pipeline  connects the Algerian gas resources to the Spanish gas network and 
further to France and continental Europe. The interconnection is 208 km long and has a 
capacity of 8 Bcm/y. The project includes a receiving terminal in  Almeria, the lending point 
in Spain, and a compressor station in Beni Saf (Algeria). The construction  of the offshore 
section is now completed and the onshore wo rks are now close to their completion. The 
testing sequence started end of 2009 and the interconnector is foreseen to be fully operational 
in 2010. The project has faced a delay of approxi mately one year in the construction of the 
onshore terminals, though no specific problems have been reported. The project has been 
allocated two TEN-E grants (respectively in  2004 and 2007), both amounting to a maximum 
of € 2 million. The total cost of the project amounts to € 900 million. 
Downstream in Spain , several gas interconnections on the Larrau branch of the western axis 
are under construction : pipeline Tivissa – Paterna, pipe line Tivissa – Castelnou, pipeline 
Zarza Tajo – Yela, and pipeline Yela – V illar Arnedo, including the Villar de Arnedo 
compressor station. These four interconnections r each a total length of 681 km and a capacity 
 
EN 32   EN of 3,14 Bcm/y. They are foreseen  to enter into operation e nd of 2012. In addition, a new 
compressor station in Na varra is operational  since end of 2009. These infrastructures aim at 
reinforcing the Spanish gas system and thus creating a bidirectional gas flow capacity 
between Spain and France with si milar capacities in both directions, whereas the Larrau axis 
was initially designed to allow flows in the direction France to Spain for the capacity associated to a long term supply cont ract with Norwegian gas suppliers. 
However, the full capacity resulting from th e installation of this new compressor station 
should be reached after th e completion of the necessary reinfo rcements in Fran ce, expected by 
2013. No TEN-E grants have been allocated to this project, but thes e infrastructures are 
supported under the EEPR budget up to € 45 million. 
The reinforcement of the French gas network  on the Africa-Spain-France axis is now in the 
authorisation phase
. The interconnections considered c oncern both the Western corridor along 
the Atlantic Ocean and the Eastern corrid or along the Mediterranean Sea. They are 
respectively 57 and 215 km long for an additiona l capacity of respectively 3,5 and 7,4 Bcm/y. 
They are foreseen to enter into  operation respectively in 2013  and 2015. No delays have been 
reported to date, though the pe riod of administrative implementation and the diversity of 
administrative authorisations required are seen  as possible elements of complexity of the 
project. No TEN-E grants have been allocated to this project, but it is supported under the 
EEPR budget up to € 200 million. 
Priority projects  
Five further priority proj ects have been finalised: 
– New gas pipelines from Algeria to Spain and France and related capacity increase of the 
internal networks in these countries (2002) 
– Increasing transport capacity of the Algeria - Morocco - Sp ain (up to Córdoba) pipeline 
(2004) 
– Ciudad Real (ES) - Madrid (ES) pipeli ne (operation date  not available) 
– Córdoba (ES) - Ciudad Real (ES) pipe line (operation date not available) 
– Lussagnet (FR) - Bilbao  (ES) pipeline (2005) 
Main obstacles and/or reasons for delay reported : 
- Complexity of legal and regulatory framew ork (numerous authorisation procedures at 
different administrative levels : federal, regional, local); 
- Time-consuming permitting procedures (incl. EIA report) and synchronisation of different 
public hearings; 
- Synchronisation of gas transmission grids upgrade along the pipeline route; 
- Managing protected natural areas; 
- Crossing natural barriers (eg. Mediterranean Sea). 
 
EN 33   EN NG3 Caspian Sea countries – Middle East – EU 
Projects of European interest  
Turkey – Greece – Italy gas pipeline (ITGI/Poseidon) 
The ITGI project aims at connecting the Caspia n and Middle East natura l gas to Italy and the 
EU through Turkey and Greece. The project impl ementation is sub-divided into two linked 
interconnections as described below. 
Section 1: the Greece – Turkey interconnector 
The Greece – Turkey interconnector  has been completed  in 2007. The pipeline is 295 km 
long linking Karacabey (TR) to Komotini (EL) a nd brings an additional import capacity of up 
to 11 Bcm/y. The main complexity elements no ticed during the project implementation relate 
to natural protected areas and military areas. In addition, the crossing of  the Evros River – the 
State border between Turkey and Greece – requir ed a specific coordination between the two 
countries and presented some technical difficult ies. This project received a TEN-E grant in 
2001 and 2002 of respectively 243.500 € and 4.330.000 € for feasibility, technical and 
environmental studies. The total cost of the project amounts to approximately € 280 million, 
of which € 82,2 million on the Greek side. 
Section 2: the Greece – Italy interconnector 
The Greece – Italy interconnector is 800 km long (of which 570 km onshore) and has a 
capacity of up to 9 Bcm/y. It will link Komotini (EL) to Otranto (IT). The offshore section of 
the pipeline is called "Posei don" pipeline. The project is  in the authorisation phase . On the 
Italian side, the detailed engine ering has been completed; the au thorisation procedures are at 
an advanced stage. On the Greek side, the design phase is about to start shortly. The 
preliminary Environmental Impact Assessment approval is expected to be granted in 2010. 
The project is currently facing a delay of 3 years and is expected to be operational in 2015. 
The main complexity elements reported are th e technical features of the offshore section 
(1.370 m depth; HDD method for the construction of  the Italian landfall) , the authorisation 
procedures related coordination as well as natu ral gas sale, purchase and transit agreements. 
The estimated total cost of the project am ount to € 1.250 million, of which € 800 million for 
the offshore section of the pipeline. The projec t has been allocated three TEN-E grants in 
2003-2005 for studies amounting respectively to 930.000 €, 3.325.000 € and 3.370.500 €. In addition, the offshore section of the Greece – It aly interconnector (Poseidon) is supported 
under the EEPR budget up to a maximum of € 100 million. 
Turkey – Austria gas pipeline (Nabucco)
14 
The Nabucco gas pipeline is a new interconnect or to connect the Caspian region and the 
Middle East gas resources to th e Central and Western European gas market. The pipeline will 
run from the Eastern border of Turkey thr ough Bulgaria, Romania and Hungary to the gas 
trading hub at Baumgarten in Au stria. Its total length is appr oximately 3.300 km. The pipeline 
                                                 
14 Further detail on the Nabucco gas pipeline implementation is available on: 
http://ec.europa.eu/energy/infrastructure/tent_e/coordinators_en.htm  
 
EN 34   EN will be constructed in different phases. The pipe line is expected to reach its first capacity 
stage, up to 8-10 Bcm/y, in 2014. A first exte nsion of the capacity (up to 15 Bcm/y) is 
foreseen to be operationa l in 2016. Last, the pipeline is foreseen to reach its full capacity up to 
31 Bcm/y in 2019. The pipeline will include a reverse flow capabil ity. To date, the project is 
in the authorisation phase . 
The lack of harmonisation of le gal and regulatory framework along the pipeline route, the 
environmental permitting procedures and the need to synchronise the project implementation with the development of large gas fields wher e the gas will be sourced from are the main 
elements of complexity to be faced. In order to mitigate the inherent complexity of such a 
large scale project, an inter governmental agreement has been  signed by all the countries 
involved (five EU Member States and Turk ey) on 13 July 2009. This agreement aims at 
mitigating the regulatory risks and demonstrat es the political support from the Nabucco 
partner countries. In addition, a coordinated Environmental and Social Impact Assessment is 
currently undertaken in parallel in each of the transit countries. 
The Nabucco pipeline has been allocated two TEN-E grants during its study phase, 
respectively in 2003 with a maximum amount of € 1,7 million, and in 2005 with a maximum amount of € 4,8 million. In 2009, a further TEN-E  grant amounting to a maximum of € 3 
million has been allocated to this project. In addition, the project is supported under the EEPR 
budget up to € 200 million. The estimated total cost  of the project amounts to € 7.900 million. 
Priority projects
 
Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) 
The TAP pipeline refers to a tran sit pipeline with the view to  transport gas mainly from the 
Caspian Sea region and the Middle East region to Italy, through Turkey, Greece and Albania. 
The 520 km long pipeline is foreseen to have a capacity of 10 Bcm/y. This project is in the 
authorisation phase . Its total cost is estimated up to € 1.500 million. The project has been 
allocated two TEN-E grants in 2004 and 2005, respectively amounting to 1.026.000 € and 
2.000.000 €. One of the main elements of complexity  of the project is th e need to align the 
construction with upstream connections developments. 
White Stream Gas Pipeline 
The White Stream Gas Pipeline will provide a link between the South Caucasus Gas Pipeline 
(SCP) in Georgia and Romania, across the Black Sea via Crimea. The length of the pipeline is 
estimated to 1100 km, of which 700 km relate to the undersea section from Georgia to 
Crimea. During the first phase of implementation, the pipeline may have an initial capacity of 
approximately 8 Bcm/y. Subsequent phases of im plementation are foreseen to make available 
larger quantities of gas (16 Bcm/y in phase 2)  potentially up to 32 Bcm/y when the Trans-
Caspian pipeline will start transporting gas fr om Turkmenistan and other Eastern Caspian 
countries. At this stage, the White Stream Pi peline will allow supplying further EU Member 
States (such as Hungary, Slovakia, Czech Repub lic, Poland, Baltic States, etc) with Caspian 
gas. The project is currently in the study phase  and is foreseen to be operational in 2016. The 
total cost of the project is estimated to approximately € 4.000 million. The project has been 
allocated two TEN-E grants in 2007 and 2008 amounting respectively to 300.000 € and 
350.000 €. 
 
EN 35   EN The Nabucco, ITGI and White Stream projects will contribute to the development of the 
Southern gas Corridor. 
Main obstacles and/or reasons for delay reported : 
- Complexity of legal and regulatory framew ork (numerous authorisation procedures at 
different administrative levels : federal, regional, local); 
- Time-consuming permitting procedures (incl. EIA report) and synchronisation of different 
public hearings; 
- Coordination with upstr eam pipelines projects; 
- Market issues (finalisation of natural gas sale , purchase agreements and transit agreements); 
- Synchronisation of gas transmission grids upgrade along the pipeline route; 
- Managing protected natural areas; 
- Crossing existing infrastructures (eg tunnels, underwater pipelines etc); 
- Crossing densely populated areas, military areas and natural barriers (eg. Mediterranean 
Sea); 
- Supply chain price evolution; 
- Financing sources scarcity. 
NG4 Liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals in Belgium, France, Spain, Portugal, 
Italy, Greece, Cyprus and Poland 
The TEN-E guidelines specified 25 locations as  priority for LNG terminals projects in 10 
Member States. All – except the LNG termin als located in Malta and United Kingdom – 
belong to the priority axis  NG4 (see Table 1 below). 
Table 1 – Number of LNG terminals projects as specified in the Annex III of the TEN-E 
guidelines per Member State, and re lated TEN-E projects references 
Belgium France Spain Portugal Italy Greece Cyprus Poland Malta United 
Kingdom 
1 2 8 2 6 3 1 1 1 1 
8.17 8.1 
8.2 6.2 
6.3 
8.3 
8.4 8.5 
8.6 
8.7 8.8 6.4 
6.9 8.11 
8.12 
8.13 
8.14 8.15 
8.16 6.13 
8.10 
8.18 6.11 - 6.15 8.18 
A total of 38 sites have been more specifically  considered under the 25 geographical areas as 
specified in the TEN-E guidelines. Diagram 3 gives the progress in the implementation of 
these 38 sites up to February 2010. 
 
EN 36   EN Diagram 3 – LNG terminals progress in implementation (March 2010) 
Diagram 3 - LNG terminals
progress in implementation (Feb. 2010)
32%
8%
34%5%18%3%
Finalised
Construction phase
Authorisation phase
Study phase
Cancelled
Status not available
 
In the period 2007-2009, eight LNG terminal projec ts as listed in the TEN-E guidelines were 
completed. In addition, three projects are currentl y in the construction phase and are expected 
to enter into operation in 2010. Two projects have been  cancelled because of the 
implementation of an alternative solution fo r securing gas supply and five following the 
negative advice from the regional authorities and/or e nvironmental concerns with regard to 
the site initially considered. Still, for five  cases, the project implementation is pursued 
although in an alternative site . Detailed information on the projects finalised and under 
construction is available in Table A6. 
The state of implementation of TEN-E LNG termin als projects is described per Member State 
below. 
Priority projects  
Belgium 
The capacity extension of the LNG terminal in Zeebrugge has been completed  in 2008. The 
capacity has thus been upgraded from 4,5 up to 9 Bcm up to date. 
A market study related to a further extensi on of capacity has been  launched in 2007. The 
additional capacity is foreseen to be ma de available as from 2016. Yet, the actual 
commissioning date may depend on the level and type of new investme nts required and on 
permitting constraints. A phased implementation of the different parts of the project could be 
envisaged. 
France 
The capacity extension of the LNG terminal "F os Tonkin" at Fos-sur-Mer (on the French 
Mediterranean coast) has been completed  in 2007. The terminal has currently a capacity of 7 
Bcm/y. The new LNG terminal "Fos-Cavaou" also located at Fos-sur-Mer is under 
construction . It should enter into operation in 2010 with a capacity of 8,25 Bcm/y. 
A new terminal at Le Verdon-sur-mer - located on  the French Atlantic coast – is in the study 
phase. The terminal is foreseen to be operati onal in 2013 with an in itial capacity of 6 to 
9 Bcm/y. The capacity could be further ex tended up to 15 Bcm/y at a later stage. 
 
EN 37   EN Spain 
Six out of the eight LNG terminal s in Spain as listed in the A nnex III of the TEN-E guidelines 
are operational  as follows: Cartagena (second capacity extension up to 11,8 Bcm/y finalised 
in 2008), Huelva (second capacity extension up to 11,8 Bcm/y finalise d in 2009), Mugardos 
(Galicia) (new site operational since 2007, 3,62 Bcm/y), Bilb ao (new site operational since 
2003 with a capacity of 7 Bcm/y), Sagunto (Val encia region) (new site operational since 
2009) and Barcelona (regasif ication capacity  extension complete d in 2009, up to 17,08 
Bcm/y). Further extensions of the term inals are foreseen in the horizon 2016. 
Both LNG terminals in Tenerife (site Arico- Granadilla) and Gran Canaria (site Arinaga) 
(Canary Islands) are in the authorisation phase . The two terminals are foreseen to be 
operational respectively in 2013, with a similar ca pacity of 1,3 Bcm/y. Th is capacity could be 
upgraded up to 2 Bcm/y by 2016. 
Portugal 
The LNG terminal at Sines entered into operation  in 2004 with an in itial capacity of 5,5 
Bcm/y. A further extension of its capacity  is foreseen to be completed by 2011. 
The construction of an LNG terminal in Madeir a Island is under consid eration. The project is 
in the study phase  and – if implemented – is expected to  be operational in 2014. This terminal 
would be the first LNG terminal  in a peripheral region. Its po ssible capacity is still under 
consideration. 
Italy 
In the north Adriatic Sea, the offshore L NG terminal in Rovigo entered into operation  in 2009 
with a capacity of 8 Bcm/y. Two onshor e LNG terminals are under construction  and should 
enter into operation in 2010, respectively at Br indisi (capacity of 8 Bcm/y) on the South 
Adriatic coast and at Livorno (site so called Toscana offshore) (capacity of 3,75 Bcm/y) on 
the Tyrrhenian Sea coast. In addition, eight  projects are in th e authorisation phase . 
Greece 
The first extension of the LNG terminal in Revithoussa has been completed  in 2007. The 
capacity of the terminal is currently approximately 5.8 Bcm/y. A further expansion of the 
LNG terminal’s storage capacity through the addition of a 3rd LNG tank is under 
consideration . This project is still in the conceptual pha se but its realization is expected to be 
completed around 2014. 
The implementation of a second LNG terminal in continental Greece has been cancelled . 
The implementation of an LNG terminal in Cret e is delayed since an alternative option for 
electricity generation has been devel oped. The project is in the study phase  and is foreseen to 
be operational in 2016. 
Cyprus 
The LNG terminal in Cyprus, Vassilikos Energy Ce nter, as specified in the TEN-E guidelines 
is currently in the study phase  and is foreseen to be operation al in 2014. The terminal capacity 
is foreseen to be gradually increased from 0,7 up to 1,5 Bcm until 2035. The total cost of the 
 
EN 38   EN project is estimated to € 670 million. The fort hcoming construction of this LNG terminal 
requires the reinforcement of the local natura l gas network in Cyprus to accommodate power 
stations and users. Such reinforcemen t is supported under th e EEPR budget up to 
€ 10 million. 
Poland 
The LNG terminal in Swinoujscie – located clos e to the German-Polish border – is currently 
in the authorisation phase . It is foreseen to be operational by 2014 with an initi al capacity of 5 
Bcm/y, which could be upgraded up to 7,5 Bcm/y by 2017. Its total cost is estimated up to € 869 million. The project has not been allocated any TEN-E funding but is supported under the 
EEPR budget up to € 55 million and the EFRD budget up to € 120 million. 
LNG terminals in other Member States
 
Malta 
Natural gas in Malta will be used as fuel at the existing and new Combined Cycle Gas 
Turbine plants. A feasibility study  was to be undertaken on th e possibility of importing 
natural gas to Malta using a pipeline or LNG fac ilities. No further information is available on 
this project. 
United Kingdom 
The LNG terminal at Isle of Grain (Kent) is operational  since 2005. Its capacity has been 
upgraded in 2008 from 4,4 up to 13,5 Bcm/y. A third capacity extension up to 20,5 Bcm/y is 
currently under construction  and is expected to be operation al in 2010. The total cost of the 
project is estimated to approximately € 1.100 million. 
Main obstacles and/or reasons for delay reported : 
- Complexity of legal and regulatory framew ork (numerous authorisation procedures at 
different administrative levels : federal, regional, local); 
- Time-consuming permitting procedures (inclu ding the EIA report and other requirements 
under the SEVESO regulatory framework) and synchronisation of diffe rent public hearings; 
- Synchronisation of gas tr ansmission grid upgrades; 
- Local opposition to the project (i ncluding environmental concerns); 
- Technical/technological co nstraints (eg. implementati on of innovative technology, 
anticipation of seismic risks during the construction phase); 
- Integration with other indus trial activities in site; 
- Managing protected natural area s (including fauna and flora). 
NG5 Underground gas storage in Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, Greece and the 
Baltic Sea Region 
The TEN-E guidelines specified 20 underground gas storage projects in 12  Member States, of 
which 15 belong to the priority axis NG5 (see Table 2). The state of implementation of all 
these projects is described below. 
 
EN 39   EN Table 2 – Number of ga s storage projects as specified in the Annex III of the TEN-E 
guidelines per Member State, a nd related projects references 
Spain Portugal France Italy Greece Baltic Sea Region Austria Belgium Ireland 
2 1 4 1 1 5 3 1 1 
8.26 
8.27 8.28 8.22 
8.23 
8.24 8.25 8.35 8.21 8.30, 8.31 (DK) 
8.36, 8.37 (PL) 
8.39 (LT) 
9.4 (LV) 8.32 
8.33 
8.34 8.29 8.20 
Priority projects  
Spain 
Serrablo (1,1 Bcm) and Gaviota (2,6 Bcm) are the only subterranean storages currently under 
operation. There are several new un derground storage facilities an d/or expansion of existing 
sites which are under construction  such as Poseidón (capaci ty of 0,25 Bcm; foreseen 
operation date is 2010), Yela (cap acity of 1 Bcm; foreseen ope ration date is 2011), Castor 
(capacity of 1,3 Bcm; foreseen operation date is 2012), Marismas (capacity up to 0,9 Bcm; foreseen operation date is 2013) and Gaviota (c apacity up to 1,5 Bcm; foreseen operation date 
is 2015). In addition, two gas stor age projects respectivel y in Barreras and El  Ruedo are in the 
study phase
. 
Portugal 
The underground gas storage in  Carriço is operational  since 2009 with a capacity up to 1,4 
Bcm. The extension of the gas storage capacity  is under consideration. The capacity increase 
envisaged is estimated to approximately 0,5- 0,7 Bcm. The foreseen operation date is not 
available. 
France 
The underground gas storage in Lussagnet (aquife r type) is currently operational with a 
capacity of 2,4 Bcm. Its extension up to 3,5 Bcm is currently in the construction phase  and is 
expected to be completed by 2011. This projec t was allocated a TEN-E grant amounting to a 
maximum of 1.500.000 € in 2002 during its study phase. 
The construction of an underground gas storage in Pécorade (depleted field type) is under 
consideration. The project is  thus in the study phase . The foreseen capacity is approximately 
0,75-1 Bcm. Its expected operation date is not available. The estimated  total cost of the 
project amounts to € 300 million. The project ha s been allocated a TEN -E grant amounting to 
4.300.000 € in 1999. 
In addition, the extensio ns of three other exis ting storage projects (Aqui fer type) are in the 
study phase  in the Center Region: Chemery and So ings-en-Sologne UGS (foreseen capacity 
extension of 0,06 Bcm) and Céré la Ronde UGS (capacity extension no t available yet). The 
extension of the Céré la Ronde UGS is exp ected to be completed in 2011. Further, the 
implementation of a salt cavity type storage in  the Alsace Region – so called "Alsace Sud 
project" – is under consideration as well. The capacity foreseen is estimated up to 0,16 Bcm. 
The foreseen date of operation is not available yet. 
 
EN 40   EN Italy 
One underground gas storage project is under construction : the Cotignola – San Potito project 
(depleted gas fields type) whic h has a capacity of 0,9 Bcm. The project is expected to be 
operational in 2012. In parallel, five other projects are in th e authorisation phase (with a 
cumulated estimated capacity amounting to 4,36 to 4,76 Bcm). The expected operation dates 
of these projects are not available. 
Greece 
For the time being, there are no storage facilities in the Greek natural gas system. The storage 
capacity is limited to the only existing LNG Te rminal on Revithoussa Island, which features 
tanks with a capacity of 130.000 m3 of LNG, equivalent to approximately 0,08 Bcm. 
Baltic Sea Region 
Denmark  has currently two operational underground gas-storages: Lille Thorup (0,4 Bcm) 
and Stenlille (0,56 Bcm). The first phase of th e extension of the Lille Torup gas storage 
(LTEGS) (0,2-1 Bcm) is under construction  and is expected to be completed in 2013. The full 
capacity is expected to be made available in  2030. The new storage si te in Tønder has been 
put on hold  since 1997: a new gas pipeline from the ga s producing fields in the North Sea to 
shore has been developed to assure gas security  of supply without a new gas storage facility. 
Poland  has seven gas storage facilities, of which two are included in A nnex III of the TEN-E 
guidelines. The extension of the storage at Wi erzchowice (additional capacity of 0,6 Bcm) is 
under construction  and is expected to be completed in 2011/2012. The development of a new 
storage at Kosakowo – close to the LNG terminal at Swinoujscie – is also in the construction 
phase  and is expected to be completed by 2013 (phase  1). Yet, the full capacity (0,25 Bcm) is 
expected to be made available in 2020. 
The stability of natu ral gas supply in Latvia  is currently secured by the underground gas 
storage in Incukalns. The total volume of the storage is 4,4 Bcm, and the active volume 2,3 
Bcm. The development of further underground gas storage in Dobele  district is being 
considered . 
Lithuania  has no underground storage facility thus it us es services of such a storage located 
in Latvia. However the implementation of two st orage projects in Lithuania is currently under 
consideration: the underground gas storage at Syderiai site is in the study/aut horisation phase . 
The project is expected to be operational in 2015. It has been allocated a TEN-E grant in 2008 
amounting to a maximum of 2.000.000 €. The second storage project under study  relates to an 
LNG regasification vessel includ ing a floading storage capacity  (up to 2 Bcm). The project 
has been allocated a TEN-E grant in 2009 am ounting to a maximum of 212.000 €. The project 
is foreseen to be completed by 2011. 
Underground gas storage in other Member States  
Austria 
The annex III of the TEN-E guidelines includes th ree gas storage projects in Austria which 
implementation is as follows. 
 
EN 41   EN The extension of the existing gas storage at Pu chkirchen, including pipeline to the Penta West 
system near Andorf (A T) is in operation . The capacity has been upgraded from 0,5 Bcm/y in 
2003 up to 1,1 Bcm to date. A TEN-E grant amounting to a maximum of € 2.912.000 has 
been allocated to this project. 
The implementation of the gas storage at Ha idach (new site, incl uding pipeline to the 
European gas grid) is divided into tw o stages. The project is in operation  (first phase) since 
2007 with an initial capacity of 1,2 Bcm. The second stage of the project is under 
construction , with a further 1,2 Bcm capacity. The project is expected to reach its full capacity 
in 2011. The total cost of the project is estimated to € 250 million. 
The underground gas storage at Baumgarten has been subject to a feasibility study supported 
under the TEN-E budget in 1996 and completed in 1998. However, this study did not lead to investment in this new gas storage capacity. 
Belgium 
The extension of the existing underground gas storage at Loenhout is  under construction
. The 
full capacity should be made available in wi nter 2010/2011. The project has been allocated a 
TEN-E grant in 1998 up to 3.391.000 €. The total co st of the project is estimate to € 125 
million. 
Ireland 
The only storage facility currently in Ireland is  the depleted South West Kinsale (SWK) gas 
field which has been converted for this purpos e. It has a working volume of 0,2 Bcm. It 
mainly operates as a seasonal storage facil ity but can also accommodate within-day gas 
withdrawals and injections. There is potenti al for expansion of the storage facility. 
Main obstacles and/or reasons for delay reported : 
- Complexity of legal and regulatory framew ork (numerous authorisation procedures at 
different administrative levels : federal, regional, local); 
- Time-consuming permitting procedures (includi ng the EIA report and negotiations with land 
owners); 
- Local opposition to the project (i ncluding environmental concerns); 
- Synchronisation of gas tr ansmission grid upgrades; 
- Technical/technological co nstraints (eg. implementati on of innovative technology, 
anticipation of seismic risks during the construction phase); 
- Possible delays of materi al/equipment deliveries; 
- Integration with other industrial activities and/or agriculture/ t ourism activity in the site area; 
- Managing protected natural area s (including fauna and flora); 
- Financing sources scarcity and/or sa tisfying project progress within budget. 
 
EN 42   EN NG6 Mediterranean Member States – East Mediterranean Gas Ring 
Projects of European interest  
Libya-Italy gas pipeline (Greenstream) 
The Greenstream pipeline transports natural gas fr om coastal facilities in Libya to Italy, via an 
offshore pipeline (Mellitah, LY – Gela, IT), with  associated initial gas compressor station at 
Mellitah (LY) and a receiving terminal in Gela , Sicily Region (IT). The pipeline is 520 km 
long and entered into operation  in 2004 with an initial capacit y of 8 Bcm/y. At a second stage, 
its capacity has been further extended to an  overall maximal capacity of 11 Bcm/y. Apart 
from natural barriers and tec hnical constraints, no major comp lexity elements have been 
reported regarding the project implementation. No TEN-E support has been allocated to this 
project.  
Priority projects  
Information on further priority pr ojects under the priority axis NG615 is not available. 
Main obstacles and/or reasons for delay reported : 
- Technical/technological constraints; 
- Crossing existing infrastructures (eg tunnels, underwater pipelines etc); 
- Crossing natural barriers (eg. Mediterranean Sea); 
- Managing protected natural area s (including fauna and flora). 
2.2.2.  Impact of the implemented cross-border connections 
NG1 
The implementation of planned TE N-E projects located on the priority axis NG1 directly 
contributes to securing the suppl y routes from new and/or exis ting gas resources in Norway 
and Russia to Western Europe along the East-West axis. 
The Nord Stream pipeline will link Russian reso urces to the German gas network through the 
Baltic Sea with an initial capacity of 27,5 Bc m/y (2011) to be doubled up to 55 Bcm/y (2012). 
No gas field has been identified as the source fo r Nord Stream. It is envisaged that more than 
50 % of this gas is diverted from existing routes. The gas a rriving through the Nord Stream 
pipeline will be transporte d through Germany onwards to neighbouring European countries. 
The main destinations will be Germany, Benel ux countries and possibly France, Denmark and 
United Kingdom. 
The implementation of the Gas Roundabout in th e Netherlands (to be fully operational in 
2014-2015) will strengthen the Dutc h transport capacity (pipelines, compressor stations, etc) 
so that it can fulfil future  gas transport demands to ot her countries (United Kingdom, 
Belgium, France) following the entrance into operation of the Nord Stream pipeline (Russian 
                                                 
15 TEN-E project n° 9.35 "Gas network from resources in the Middle East to the European Union" 
 
EN 43   EN resources). One of its landing point being lo cated near Rysum (Germany) where a larger 
Norwegian gas pipeline surfaces, the project will also allow securing Norwegian gas supply 
and contribute to the diversific ation of gas supplies. Some sec tions of the whole project such 
as the GWWL pipeline are already operational. The project will cont ribute increasing the 
transport capacity to the Dutch entry (up to 31,8 Bcm/y) and exit point (up to 12,5 Bcm/y) 
and thus allow more flexible shipping of na tural gas and avoid c ongestion problems. In 
addition, the project infrastructure is regarded to be sustainable in terms of the possibility of 
future mixing of e.g. Biogas (Green Gas). The BBL pipeline between  United Kingdom and 
the Netherlands is also operational with a capacity up to 8 Bcm/y. 
In addition, the completion of the following LNG terminals respectively in Belgium 
(Zeebrugge, 9 Bcm) and United Kingdom (Isle of Grain, 7 Bcm) has increased the available 
gas capacity by some additional 16 Bcm along th is axis. The planned construction of LNG 
terminals in Poland (Swinoujscie, 5 Bcm) and the extension of gas storage projects in 
Belgium (Loenhout, capacity not available ), Poland (Wierzchowice, 0,6 Bcm) and Denmark 
(Lille Thorup site, 0,2-1 Bcm) will potenti ally bring some addi tional 5,8-6,6 Bcm by 2014 
and thus will further enhance diversification16 of gas supplies in the wide Northern Europe, 
provided the timely implementation of key cross-border interconnectors above-mentioned. 
NG3 
Connections to the Caspian and Middle East natural gas to the EU will be assured by the 
implementation of the ITGI pipeline and at a later stage Nabucco, the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline 
as well as the White Stream pipeline. 
The Greece – Turkey interconnector – as part of the ITGI pipeline – has been completed  in 
2007 and brings an additional import capacity of up to 11 Bcm/y. The Greece – Italy interconnector has a capacity of up to 9 Bcm/ y and is expected to be operational in 2015. 
Based on the foreseen operation date of the Nabucco  pipeline, this translat es into an additional 
capacity close to 20 Bcm/y to be brought to the EU by 2015. 
NG2/NG6 
The implementation of several projects of Eur opean interest along the priority axes NG2 and 
NG6 directly contributes to s ecuring gas supply from North Africa resources. In particular, 
the commissioning of TRANSMED II pipeline in 2008 (first pha se) with a capacity up to 6,5 
Bcm/y permitted to increase the transport capac ity from Algerian resources to Southern 
Europe Member States via Italy.  The Greenstream pipeline transports natural gas from coastal 
facilities in Libya to Italy with a current cap acity of 11 Bcm/y. The Medgas gas pipeline of 
which commissioning is expected to be comp leted in 2010 has a capacity of 8 Bcm/y. These 
connections represent an en try capacity of 15,5 Bcm/y. 
Downstream, several gas interconn ections on the Larrau branch (Spain) to France that are 
under construction will further increase the cros s-border transit capacity. They are foreseen to 
enter into operation end of 2012. In addition, a new compressor station in Navarra (Spain) is 
operational since end of 2009. These infrastructure s will reinforce the Spanish gas system and 
                                                
 
16 Though they are not included in the list of TE N-E projects, the planned connections of the LNG 
terminal GATE (Maasvlakte) currently under construction and of the underground gas storage in 
Alkmaar to the Dutch transport gas network will also contribute to the security of supply by making 
some further 13 Bcm available to the gas market. 
 
EN 44   EN thus create a bidirectional gas flow capacity between Spain and France with similar capacities 
in both directions, whereas th e Larrau axis was initially de signed to allow flows in the 
direction France to Spain for the capacity asso ciated to a long term supply contract with 
Norwegian gas suppliers. The full capacity re sulting from the installation of this new 
compressor station will be reached  after the completion of the necessary reinforcements in 
France, expected by 2013. 
In addition, the construction of the Galsi pr oject aiming at connecting the Algerian gas 
resources to the Italian and European markets through a new route via Sardinia Island and the 
Italian mainland is expected to start in 2010/2011 and the pipeline is foreseen to be 
operational end of 2013. The pipeline total cap acity will be 8 Bcm/y. Connecting Corsica 
Island to the Galsi system is currently  under assessment by French authorities. 
NG4/NG5 
LNG terminals successfully implemented in Fr ance, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Belgium and 
United Kingdom make available natural gas fr om North Africa resources (and beyond) up to 
approximately 86 Bcm/y. The LNG terminals curre ntly in construction in France and Italy 
will make gas available up to approximately 19 Bcm/y. 
In addition, the implemented gas storage facili ties in France, Austri a and Ireland can make 
available to the gas markets around further 4 Bcm/y. This capacity will be increased by 
approximately further 4 Bcm/y after the entran ce into operation of projects currently under 
construction in Austria, France, Poland, Italy and Belgium. 
2.2.3.  Impact of implemented projec ts in isolated regions 
As regards Baltic States , Lithuania has no operational underground storage facility thus it uses 
services of such a storage located in Latvia. However the implementation of two storage projects in Lithuania is curre ntly under consideration. These projects are foreseen to be 
operational in 2011 (floading storage capacit y up to 2 Bcm) and 2015. Furthermore, the 
development of an underground gas storage in Latvia (Dobele disctrict) is under 
consideration. The implementation of the Baltic Interconnector Pipeline and Yamal-Europe II 
pipeline is currently delayed. No major conn ection to the gas transport network has been 
completed in the last three years. 
As regards isolated islands
, three LNG terminal projects (w ith a cumulated entry capacity up 
to 3,3 Bcm by 2012-2014) are curren tly developed in Cyprus (Vassilikos Energy Center) as 
well as in the Canary Islands (Spain). These projects will directly contribute to enhancing diversification and security of supply in these regions. 
The construction of an LNG terminal in Madeir a Island (Portugal) is under consideration. The 
project is in the study phase and – if implemented – is ex pected to be op erational in 2014. 
This terminal would be the first LNG terminal in a peripheral region. Its possible capacity is 
still under consideration. 
Natural gas in Malta will be used as fuel at the existing and new Combined Cycle Gas 
Turbine plants. A feasibility study was to be undertaken on the pos sibility of importing 
natural gas to Malta using a pipeline or LNG fac ilities. No further information is available on 
this LNG terminal project. 
 
EN 45   EN The implementation of an LNG terminal in Cret e (Greece) is delayed since an alternative 
option for electricity generati on has been developed. The proj ect is currentl y in the study 
phase and is foreseen to be operational in 2016. 
2.2.4.  Results achieved with regard to the objectives of the TEN-E policy 
The main achievements made in the electricity a nd gas sectors with rega rd to the four main 
objectives of the TEN-E policy are summarised below. 
(1) Encouraging the effective operation a nd development of the internal energy 
market 
This objective was at the start of TEN-E, an d selected projects have made a significant 
contribution in this area. 
The implementation of missing gas interconnec tions within and/or between the Member 
States as well as with third countries contributes  to the efficient functioning of the internal gas 
market in the EU by diversifying supply so urces and increasing sa les possibilities. In 
particular, the gas interconnectio ns under development – such as the reinforcement of Spanish 
and French networks as well as transport capac ities in Central Europe, links interconnecting 
Northern Europe countries, and further interc onnections to new and/or existing gas supply 
sources – will help the EU facing the increasin g demand for gas, the need for extra throughput 
and/or distribution capacity and will cont ribute solving the produc tion maximum capacity 
bottlenecks. 
(2) Facilitating the development and reduc ing the isolation of less-favoured and 
island regions 
The introduction of gas is currently under way in several isolated regions.  In particular, three 
LNG terminal projects are curren tly developed in Cyprus and in  the Canary Islands (Spain). 
Furthermore, the construction of an LNG term inal in Madeira Island (Portugal) – which 
would be the first LNG terminal in a peripher al region – is under cons ideration. In addition, 
three underground gas storage proj ects are under consid eration in Lithuania and Latvia. These 
projects will contribute to enhanc ing diversification and security  of supply in these regions.  
Yet, the implementation of other TEN-E gas pr ojects in isolated regions may be delayed 
following the development of alternative solutions for electricity generation or the need to undertake further feasibility studies. 
(3) Reinforcing the security of supply 
The implementation of planned TEN-E projects directly contributes to diversifying and 
securing the supply routes from  new and/or existing gas resour ces in Norway, Russia, North 
Africa, South Caucasus and beyond, thanks to th e development of further LNG terminals in 
the Mediterranean Sea Region as well as in Nort hern Europe. In particular, the development 
of gas interconnectors cont ribute to strengthening relations with third c ountries (either transit 
and/or supplier countries). In addition, the in creasing use of gas reverse flow technology for 
new and/or existing gas interconnectors within  and between the EU Member States will 
reinforce the security of supply in case of gas supply disruption and will contribute to the 
diversification of supply routes. The security of gas supply in the EU is further reinforced by 
the increase of gas storage capac ity in Austria, Belgium, Fr ance, Ireland, Italy and Poland.  
 
EN 46   EN (4) Contributing to sustainable developmen t and protection of the environment 
This objective has been introduced in 2006 w ith the adoption of the TEN-E Guidelines 
currently in force. A few proj ects are currently being develo ped (such as the Gas Roundabout 
project in the Netherlands) to allow future  mix of Biogas and natural gas in the gas 
transmission network, and contribu ting thus to increase the share of renewable energies in the 
gas supply sources of the EU. 
2.3. Assessment on the main reported obst acles to projects implementation 
The information provided in regard to the st atus of implementation of TEN-E projects 
confirms that nearly all proj ects experience difficulties in  the implementation, which often 
cause delays in the planed time schedule. Sinc e each project is different also the reported 
difficulties and obstacles vary from project to project. 
However, there are a number of obstacles that  can be seen occurring time and again in many 
of the projects irrespective of their locati on and type. The obstacles reported are related 
mainly to 
(1) legal and political framework  including complexity of le gal and regulatory framework 
and the lacking co-ordination and support on Member State, federal, regional and local 
level. 
(2) particular problems of the chosen route  such as crossing dens ely populated areas, 
military areas, natural barriers or existing infrastructure, managing protected natural areas as well as local opposition to the project; 
(3) financial and technical constraints
 such as financial sour ces scarcity, supply chain 
price evolution or the risks of the implementation of i nnovative technology. 
The issues mentioned under (1) and (2) are describe d in more detail in this chapter since there 
are common obstacles that occur in many Me mber States and therefore there are best 
practices that could be le arnt from one Member Stat e and applied elsewhere. 
Acceleration of authorisation procedures 
Obstacles 
One of the greatest obstacles to face durin g the implementation of a project is the 
unpredictable length of authorisation procedures . From the point of view of the project 
promoters this hinders making a proper planni ng including the time schedule and financial 
matters. From the European perspective this obstacle means that the projects which are 
needed to ensure e.g. security of supply may not be implemented in a timely manner. 
This problem is exacerbated in cross-border pr ojects by the differences in the authorisation 
systems resulting in different timescales and de lays being seen at different points in the 
process on either side of the border. This obs tacle is caused by both the lack of streamlining 
of authorisation procedures in Member States and the lack of specific and sufficiently detailed 
cross-border regulation. 
 
EN 47   EN In many Member States project pr omoters have to apply for authorisations from a number of 
bodies before construction can be gin. For each type of authoris ation, the project must be 
consulted on and go through different proceedings. 
The cause of delay is often local opposition to the project. It is absolutely necessary that the 
affected citizens should be given the opportunity to learn about all the impacts of a project 
through wide consultation and then to register their objections or support. This is normally 
achieved through the correct impl ementation of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) 
procedure. However, if there is no framework or structure w ithin which these consultations 
and responses can take place th e delay to a decision (whether  for or against the project) 
becomes potentially endless, especially when the authorisation applicatio ns have to be made 
to a number of bodies. 
Furthermore, there is often no deadline within which planning authorities have to examine a 
project (e.g. completeness of the n ecessary documents for the applic ation) before the start of a 
consultation nor a deadline within which they ha ve to make a decision once the consultations 
and examinations have been completed. 
Interventions 
Most, if not all, Member States  are aware of these difficulties and some have begun to tackle 
them through various approaches. 
For example, in the United Kingdom, recent legislation17 has set a consultation period of 28 
days before the application is made (so that necessary change s  c a n  b e  m a d e  b e f o r e  i t  i s  
submitted for authorisation), the environmental impact assessment must then be submitted by the local authority within six weeks and comments on this received within 21 days. In addition, the legislation has se t a deadline (of nine months ) within which the relevant 
authority, in this case the Independent Planning  Commission, must make  its decision. This 
cuts down uncertainty in two cr ucial areas and, even where th e deadlines are missed, reasons 
for this and a new timetable must be publicised, which gives some certainty to the proceedings. This particular legislation is very new, however, and so its vulnerability to legal 
challenges (such as judicial re view) and other practical probl ems has not yet been tested. 
One advantage of this system is that only one  authority needs to give their authorisation 
thereby simplifying the procedure considerably . Given the significant problems that large, 
complex infrastructure projects face this is an important simplification that other Member 
States have also attempted to implement. For example, in Portugal it is possible to assign a 
project “national interest” status which th en means that it only needs to apply for 
authorisation from one body. Si milar streamlining processes have been brought in by 
France
18, Ireland19, Italy and Finland for large infrastruc ture. However, the legislation in the 
Member States does not define th e projects of European interest  per se as projects of national 
interest (see section on political  support at national level). 
The implementation of one (central) authorising body within a Member State, at least for the 
cross-border projects, as well as setting of  even modifiable deadlines could streamline 
                                                 
17 The Planning Act 2009 
18 Réforme des permis de construire et des autres autorisations d'urbanisme, 2007 
19 Planning and Development (Strat egic Infrastructure) Act 2006 
 
EN 48   EN authorisation procedures considerably and contri bute to more certainty for the planning of the 
projects. 
Political support at national level 
Obstacles 
The difficulties encountered by cross-border proj ects can, to some extent, be alleviated by 
good coordination between the aut horities on either side of the border. However, such 
coordination does not always happen because ther e are not sufficient incentives for it. Cross-
border projects often have posi tive effects on a very large scale (national or even European) 
but the authorities examining th e project are often local and th erefore, unders tandably, do not 
take account of the wider benefi ts the project could offer. It could even happen that the costs 
have to be incurred in one region or Member Stat e whilst the benefits occur in another region 
or Member States. 
The absence of national political support and st rategic direction is pa rticularly damaging for 
projects that have European importance. Sin ce most of the power lines or pipelines do not 
create direct advantages for the regions they ar e crossing the local and regional actors often do 
not hold the possible wide ranging impacts of a pr oject in mind as much as the local and 
regional impacts. This can cause objections by the local or regional authorities regarding the 
necessity of the projects of European im portance that can substantially delay the 
implementation. This is an area where the European Coordinators  have played an important 
role. 
However, projects of European interest are not yet prioritised by any Member State legislation 
or strategy and so cannot auto matically use any of the measur es brought in by those Member 
States looking to streamline thei r authorisation procedures for projects of na tional interest. 
Interventions  
In Germany, recent legislation has given a very  strong national direct ion for the development 
of electric power lines. The Power Line Expansion Act ( Energieleitungsausbaugesetz ) has set 
out the 24 corridors where power line expansion projects have b een designated as urgent to 
complete to meet the goals set out in the En ergy Industry Act, meaning that the planning 
authorities can not object the necessity of those power lines. 
Other Member States, for example United Kingdom20 and Denmark21, have a more general 
approach to the definition of the national policy. In all cases, this national policy is consulted 
on publicly and debated by the parliament befo re being enacted. This ensures that the 
justification for the project is present so that  it is only the project de tails that have to go 
through the full authorisation pr ocedures, avoiding lengthy debate  on the need for the project 
at all. Indeed, in Denmark, the Minister for En vironment is obliged to veto municipal plans 
that do not comply with the national planning strategy. 
Strong political support at the na tional level is an effective wa y to alleviate this obstacle 
because it is useful to have agreed the necessity for the project as a whole before the 
                                                 
20 National Infrastructure Policy Statements 
21 An Overview of national interests in municipal planning is published every four years by the Minister 
of Environment. 
 
EN 49   EN consultations on its geographical and technical de tails, as well as its specific environmental 
impacts, begin. 
Nevertheless for the sake of ensuring that the infrastructure projects which are co-financed by 
the European Union are implemented in timely manner it is indispensable that these projects have the same legal status in the Member St ates as the projects of national interest. 
3. E
UROPEAN UNION FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS  
Energy infrastructure projects are implemented  by Transmission System  Operators (TSOs). 
Depending on the total cost of a project, the main financing s ources (as direct investment 
needs) for the implementation of such projects are: 
(1) TSOs’ own resources (amounting to approxi mately 20-100 % of the total investment 
required, depending on the scale of the overall investment); 
(2) Bank loans (eg. Commercial banks, Europ ean Investment Bank, European Bank for 
Reconstruction and Development): These loans may amount to an average of 
approximately 40-80 % of the total investment required; 
(3) EU co-financing: TEN-E annual Program me, European Economic Programme for 
Recovery (2009-2010), Structur al Funds, ENPI (or previ ous instruments such as 
PHARE, etc) and RTD Framework Programme; 
(4) Partnerships with companies active in the gas and power sector (possibly other than 
TSOs). 
Member States in most cases do not participat e directly in financin g projects of trans-
European energy networks since these proj ects are mostly implemented by Transmission 
System Operators’ (TSO) and the costs are r ecovered through the regulated tariffs according 
to the users-pay principle. 
Further information on EIB loans and EU co-f unding sources, in partic ular regarding the 
functioning of the TEN-E funding Pr ogramme, is described below. 
3.1. European Investment Bank (EIB) loans 
Since the start of the trans-European networ ks initiative in the 1990s, trans-European 
networks in the energy sector remain an important lending priority for the EIB. 
The EIB loans related to energy infrastructure cover projects included in the guidelines for 
trans-European energy networks22 as well as energy infrastruc ture projects which are not but 
comply with the criteria as specified in A nnexes I and II of the TEN-E guidelines. The EIB 
loans signed in the period 2007-2009 amount to € 2.561 million for the electricity sector and € 
3.407 million for the gas sector. The EIB has inve sted € 100 million as an equity investment 
in the Marguerite Fund, with an appr oximate allocation of 25-35% for TEN-E.23 In total, 
                                                 
22 The TEN-E guidelines considered in this paragraph and Table 4 are those published in 1996 for projects 
supported in 2002 and those published in 2003 for projects supported in 2003 and beyond 
23 Approximate allocation to TEN-T: 30-40%, Renewables: 35-45%. The actual allocation depends on 
suitable investment opportunities. 
 
EN 50   EN 15,4% of the total amount was awarded to projec ts of European inte rest, 18,2% was awarded 
to priority projects, 15 % to projects of common interest and about  25,6 % to other TEN 
projects not listed in the Anne x III of the TEN-E guidelines but located on priority axis as 
defined in Annexes I and II of the TEN-E guide lines (see Tables A1 and A2). For 25,7% the 
loans were allocated to a set of projects of various TEN priority leve ls. These loans supported 
large cross-border projects (ele ctricity interconnectors, ga s supply pipelines), expansion 
and/or reinforcement of transmission netw orks including storage and LNG terminals. 
Table 3 – EIB signed loans for energy infrastructu re of trans-European interest in the period 
2007-2009 (M€) 
  2007 2008 2009 2007-2009 
Electricity (amounts)         
TEN Projects of European interest 0 90 600 690 
TEN Priority projects 140 140 0 280 
TEN Projects of common interest 16,1 300 144,45 460,55 
Other TEN projects 558 0 0 557,86 
Loans allocated to a set of projects of 
various TEN priority levels  150 163 260 572,5 
Gas (amounts)         
TEN Projects of European interest 185 50 0 235 
TEN Priority projects 160 375 275 810 
TEN Projects of common interest 255 183 0 438 
Other TEN projects 0 642 337 979 
Loans allocated to a set of projects of 
various TEN priority levels  0 574 371 945 
TOTAL AMOUNTS         
TEN Projects of European interest 185 140 600 925 
TEN Priority projects 300 515 275 1090 
TEN Projects of common interest 271 483 144 898,55 
Other TEN projects 558 642 337 1536,86 
Loans allocated to a set of projects of 
various TEN priority levels 150 737 631 1517,5 
The loans allocated may cover one or severa l interconnections and/or linked projects. 
Therefore, it may not be possible to link amount s published to a specific TEN-E project. Yet, 
the EIB loans allocated per project are speci fied in Tables A3-A6 (see Annexes) where 
possible. 
3.2. TEN-E funding Programme 
The TEN-E funding represents in most cases a ra ther limited share (0,01 – 1 %) of the total 
investment required for the implementation of  projects of the trans-European energy 
networks. The main role of the TEN-E co-finan cing is to act as a catalyst to lever other 
investment sources and/or to facilitate the implementation of the project through the TEN-E 
label. 
TEN-E Programme execution in 2007-2009  
The total TEN-E budget in the financing peri od 2007-2013 is € 155 million, of which € 69,5 
million for the period 2007-2009. The annual amount  available varies between € 20 and 25 
million. Diagram 4 (see below) indicates the evol ution of the TEN-E budget in relation with 
the number of proposals received and supported under the TEN-E budget in the period 2007-2009. 
 
EN 51   EN Diagram 4 – Evolution of the TEN-E budget in re lation with the number of proposals received 
and supported under the TEN-E budget in the period 2007-2009 
Diagram 4 - Evolution of the TEN-E budget in relation 
with the number of proposals received and supported 
under the TEN-E budget in the period 2007-2009
051015202530354045
2007 2008 2009
Proposals received Proposals funded TEN-E Budget (M€)
 
From 2007 to 200924, the Commission received 96 a pplications for TEN-E funding, 5125 of 
which have benefited from financial support: 31 concerned electricity projects and 20 gas 
projects. Moreover, 14 out of 51 funding decisi ons concerned works (11 in the electricity 
sector, and 3 in the gas sector); the other f unded projects were relate d to studies. Detailed 
information on the selection process is presented in Table 4. 
Table 4 – Details on the selection results for awarding TEN-E funding in the period 2007-
2009 
 2007 2008 2009 2007-2009 
Proposals received  32 26 38 96 
Electricity 
Studies 
Works  21 
16 
5 12 
9 
3 24 
17 
7 57 
42 
15 
Gas 
Studies 
Works  11 
10 
1 14 
12 
2 14 
12 
2 39 
34 
5 
Funding decisions issued  15 15 2126 51 
Electricity 
Studies 
Works  10 
6 
4 7 
5 
2 14 
9 
5 31 
20 
11 
Gas 
Studies 
Works  5 
4 
1 8 
7 
1 7 
6 
1 20 
17 
3 
                                                 
24 Detailed figures for years between 2002 and 2006 are available in the Report on the implementation of 
the TEN Financial Regulation in the period 2002-2006, COM(2008)770. 
25 The list of funded pr ojects is available on: http://ec.europa.eu/ten/energy/studies/index_en.htm   
26 The preparation and/or the adoption of the individual  decisions 2009 are ongoin g. The figures indicated 
with regard to the number of funding decisions issued are thus provisional only. 
 
EN 52   EN In the period 2007-2009, support under the TEN-E budget line of a total amount of about € 
69,5 million was awarded. This amount was allocat ed for 42 % on the gas sector and 58 % on 
the electricity sector. Further, this amount ha s been allocated for 65 % on the co-financing of 
studies (up to 50 %) and for 35 % on the co-financing of works (up to 10 %). 
Detailed information on TEN-E commitment s in the period 2007-2 009 is presented in 
Table 5. 
Table 5 – TEN-E commitments in the period 2007-2009 (amounts in K€) 
 2007 2008 2009 2007-2009 
TEN-E Budget available 21.200,0  22.260,0 26.045,9 69.505,9 
Global commitment 
Individual commitments (total) 
 Electricity 
Studies 
Works 
 Gas 
Studies 
Works  21.200,0 
21.200,0 
15.175,5 
8.132,6 
7.042,9 
6.024,5 
4.024,5 
2.000,0 22.248,8 
22.248,8 
9.781,6 
3.930,4 
5.851,2 
12.467,2 
9.648,2 
2.819,0 26.034,3 
26.034,327 
15.302,9 
10.639,5 
4.663,4 
10.731,4 
8.799,6 
1.931,8 69.483,1 
69.483,1 
40.260,0 
22.702,5 
17.557,5 
29.223,1 
22.472,3 
6.750,8 
In 2007 , 100 % of the TEN-E budget could be committed. In 2008  and 2009 , some 99,9 % of 
the TEN-E budget available has been respectively committed. 
Concerning the amount allocated to priority proj ects as defined in the 2006 TEN-E Guidelines 
and selected for funding in the period 2007-2009, close to 33 %  of the allocated budget was 
awarded to projects of European interest . The electricity and the gas networks received 
respectively 73 % and 27 % of the amounts allocat ed to projects of European interest. About 
57 %  of the total allocated budget was awarded to priority projects . The electricity and the 
gas sector received respectively 47 % and 53 % of the amounts allo cated to priority projects. 
Last, the electricity and the gas sector rece ived respectively 71 % and 29 % of the amounts 
allocated to projects of common interest  (out of a total am ounting to 6.838.630 €, which 
represents close to 10 %  of the total a llocated amounts in the period 2007-2009). 
Ex-post evaluation of the TEN-E programme (period 2000-2006)  
In 2008, the ex-post evaluation of the TEN-Energy programme 2000-2006 has been carried 
out for the Commission by independent experts. 
The main objectives of the ex-post evaluation were to evaluate the impact of studies and 
projects funded by the TEN-E Programme and to  issue practical recommendations to improve 
the overall efficiency of the Programme. 
                                                 
27 The preparation and adoption of the TEN-E indivi dual decisions 2009 are still ongoing; the figures 
specified are thus only indicative. 
 
EN 53   EN Conclusions of the evaluation: 
– The TEN-E programme contribution to energy network developments has progressed over 
the survey period in both electricity and gas se ctors; in particular, a much larger proportion 
of co-financed studies resulted  in construction of the projec ts in the second half of the 
survey period (2004-2006) th an in the first (2000-2003); 
– In spite of clear limitations in terms of pr ojects and costs coverage  due to limited budget 
resources, it was confirmed that TEN-E co -financing can act as an accelerator and 
facilitator of projects implementation in both el ectricity and gas sectors.  Further, it  plays an 
important role especially for imma ture projects and risky studies; 
– A greater focus of TEN-E resources on eligib le projects of highest  priorities would 
increase the programme impact; 
– The TEN-E co-financing has stimulating eff ects regarding authoris ation procedures. The 
EU label has positive effects on projects prioritisation in national development schemes; 
– TEN-E grants often improve cooperation betw een co-beneficiaries, and the EU label 
facilitates communication to and co llaboration with third parties; 
– There is a need for a better consistency between  eligible projects as specified in the Annex 
III of the TEN-E guidelines and latest network development needs. Furthermore, a greater 
focus of TEN-E resources on eligible projects  of highest priorities  would increase the 
impact of the programme; 
– Room for improvement is foreseen in te rms of information and communication with 
potential beneficiaries (e.g. a pplication and project administ ration processes), the use of 
project monitoring tools and the diffusion of best practices on the handling of obstacles to 
project implementation, in particular  concerning public acceptance issues. 
The contractor concluded that furthering th e role of the TEN-E funding programme would 
require an assessment of TEN-E policy, TEN-E guide lines and selection process, in particular 
relative to the acceptability, util ity and impact criteria. Theref ore, the contractor proposed 
further studies to be performed to speci fically and fully address these issues. 
The recommendations made by the contractor will be further addressed in the revision of the 
TEN-E instruments to be ta bled by the Commission in 2010. 
The final report of the ex-post Evaluation of the TEN-E Programme  (2000-2006) has been 
published on Europa28, except the second part of its anne xes for confidentiality reasons. 
Anti-fraud measures  
In order to prevent fraud, corru ption and other illegal activities detrimental to the Union's 
financial interests in the context of TEN-E, by virtue of Council Regulation (Euratom, EC) 
No 2185/96 and Regulation (EC) No 1073/1999 of th e European Parliament and the Council, 
and in conformity with  Article 14 of Regulation (EC) No. 680/2007, the European Anti-Fraud 
Office (OLAF) may carry out on -the-spot controls and check s in accordance with the 
                                                 
28 http://ec.europa.eu/energy/evaluations/trans_european_energy_networks_en.htm  
 
EN 54   EN procedures laid down by Community law. Wher e appropriate, the in spection findings may 
lead to recovery decisions by the Commission. 
3.3. European Economic Programme for Recovery 
The basis for the European Energy Program me for Recovery (EEPR) is the global €200 
billion European Economic Recovery Plan presented by the Commission on 26 November 
200829. Investments in energy interc onnections were considered an important tool to support 
the economic recovery and to re spond to the challenges of clim ate change and security of 
energy supply. The Plan was endorsed by the European Council in December 2008 where the 
Commission was invited to present a list of concrete energy projec ts. The EEPR Regulation30, 
which established the EEPR programme and its financing instrument, was adopted the 13 July 
2009 and entered in to force the 1st August 2009. The EEPR Regulati on proposed a significant 
Union contribution of almost € 4 billion to co-finance specific energy projects within three sub-programmes: gas and electricity infrastr ucture projects (€ 2.365 million), offshore wind 
energy projects (€ 565 million), and carbon capture  and storage projects (€ 1.050 million). It 
is worth noting that it is the first time ever th at the Union decided to dedicate such an amount 
to energy infrastructure projects. 
The objectives and priorities of the EEPR Re gulation to promote and develop the energy 
networks having the highest Union added value in support of the internal energy market and 
to diversify the routes and the sources of s upply are the same as those established in the 
guidelines for trans-European energy (TEN-E) networks. Moreover, the majority of the 
interconnection projects selected in the EEPR Regulation were alread y part of the TEN-E 
networks and some received TEN-E funds to co-f inance mainly feasibility studies. Therefore, 
the EEPR programme constituted a timely instrument  to contribute to the expenditure related 
to the implementation of the most mature TEN -E projects in order to  speed up and secure 
investments and accelerate their construc tion in view of the economic crisis. 
Considering the gas and electricity infrastructu re projects, the 47 projects selected in the 
EEPR Regulation include gas and electricity interconnections, Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) 
terminals and gas storage faciliti es. In addition, it includes gas re verse flow projects with the 
specific objective of helping to prevent potential disruptions to  the gas supply in the future. 
The maximal funding rate foreseen is 50% of the total cost of th e projects (including 
construction works). The amounts allocated per sub-sector are displayed in the following 
table. 
Table 6 – EEPR funding allocated per sub-sector 
Electricity
 interconnections 915.000.000 €
Gas interconnections  1.255. 000.000 €
Gas reverse  flow projects 80.000.000 €
                                                 
29 Communication from the Commission to the European Council ‘A European Economic Recovery Plan’ 
COM(2008)800 
30 EEPR Regulation (EC) N°663/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 July 2009 
establishing a programme to aid economic recovery by granting Union financial assistance to projects 
in the field of energy (OJ L200, 31.7.2009) 
 
EN 55   EN Liquefied  Natural Gas 80.000.000 €
Gas storage  facilities 35.000.000 €
Further details on the implementation of the EEPR Regulation will be available in the 
Commission report to the Council  and the European Parliament  on the implementation of the 
EEPR to be issued when reporting on the budget (April 2010). In addition, the financial aid 
allocated to TEN-E projects falling within the scope of this Implementation Report is 
specified in the description of these pr ojects and/or in the annexed tables. 
According to Article 25(1) of the EEPR Regul ation the Commission shall ensure that, when 
actions financed under this Regulation are implem ented, the financial interests of the Union is 
protected by the application of  preventive measures against fraud, corruption and any other 
illegal activities, by ef fective checks and by the recove ry of amounts unduly paid and, if 
irregularities are detected, by effective,  proportionate and dissuasive penalties.31 Other 
European Union financing sources 
3.3.1.  Structural Funds 
Following the Community Strategic Guidelines  on Cohesion 2007-2013, being the basis for 
preparing the content of  operational programmes, investments from the European Regional 
Development Fund (ERDF)  in the energy sector should be directed towards ensuring 
security of supply and target gas and electric ity interconnections, es pecially in cases of 
identified market failure. 
TEN-E projects in the gas and elec tricity sector have thus been  introduced in the cohesion 
policy framework for 2007-2013 under the sector codes No 34 and 36. Allocations in those categories have been made in the respective Op erational Programmes of  four Member States, 
namely Spain, Greece, Poland and Romania. Further information per Member State is described below. 
In Spain , some 55.012.432 € have been allocated to TEN -E projects in natural gas for the 
period 2007-2013.Yet, the list of specific pr ojects concerned is not available yet. 
In Greece some 58.745.000 € in the electricity sector  and 71.150.000 € in the gas sector have 
been allocated to TEN-E priorities.  Yet, the list of specific proj ects concerned is not available 
yet. 
As regards Poland , the TEN-E projects designated to be supported within the OP 
"Infrastructure and Environment" address the mo st urgent needs in terms of Polish and EU 
energy policy – ensuring security of supply and, at the same time, the completion of the EU 
energy internal market. Approximately € 405,3 million
32 was allocated to support TEN-E 
projects included in the Operational Progra mme Infrastructure and Environment within 
priority X (see also table 7 for further details). The use of the allocation for these projects is 
                                                 
31 In accordance with Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2988/95, Regulation (Euratom, EC) No 2185/96 and 
with Regulation (EC) No 1073/1999 
32 Due to the adding of the LNG terminal to the list of projects co-financed  by the progrramme, the 
amount allocated to TEN-E projects may increase by up to € 250 million – meaning 24% of the total 
allocation of priority X. 
 
EN 56   EN however conditional upon their fulfilment of all merit and selection criteria set by the Polish 
Managing Authority as well as  their approval by the EC. 
Table 7 – Breakdown of co-financing allocated pe r sector within priority X in the Polish 
Operational Programme "Infra structure and Environment"* 
Electricity (TEN-E) 21,2 %
Natural gas 39,9 %
Natural gas (TEN-E) 20,4 %
Petroleum products 15,7 %
Renewable energy: wind, solar, biomass, hydro, geothermal 2,8 %
* Total allocation for prior ity amounts to € 974,3 million 
Due to the fact that investments in traditional energy sources are in most cases considered as 
state aid, the possible le vel of EU support is limited. The co-f inancing level fo r this priority 
was set at a maximum of 57 %. Four TEN-E proj ects are being prepared for submission to the 
EC in the 2007-2013. The detailed ERDF co-f inancing amounts foreseen for the above-
mentioned projects are indicated is Table 8. 
Table 8 – List of TEN-E projects foreseen to be supported within the OP "Infrastructure and 
Environment" for Poland 
TEN-E project Foreseen ERDF 
co-financing33 
Underground gas storage in Wierzchowice € 109 million 
Underground gas storage in Mechelinki, Kosakowo € 28 million 
LNG terminal in Swinoujscie  € 114 million  
Poland-Lithuania electricity interconnection ( connection Elk-Alytus 
including the necessary reinforcement of the Polish electricity network)  € 170 million 
For the period 2007-2013 the Operational Programme "Increase of the Economic 
Competitiveness" in Romania  has allocated 95.771.306 € in orde r to support TEN-E projects 
through the European Regional Development F und. However, no commitment has been made 
by now for any specific project as the list of the projects concerned is  not available yet. 
The Structural Funds (ERDF) ma y also finance infrastructure projects in the gas and/or 
electricity sectors including interconnections which are relevant for the TEN-E, in Bulgaria, 
Cyprus, Germany, Greece, Italy, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain and United 
Kingdom under the sector codes "Electricity" an d "Natural Gas" (respe ctively No 33 and 35). 
As an example, the ERDF for Bulgaria  will allocate € 51 million34 for the construction of the 
Nis (Serbia) - Sofia (Bul garia) gas interconnector35. 
                                                 
33 The implementation of the two underground gas storage projects has encountered delays due to the 
infringement procedures related to the non respect by Poland of the gas Directive 2009/73. The 
approval of the projects by the EC is therefore pe nding upon solving of the infringement cases and 
issuing a state aid deci sion for the projects. 
34 The national participation foreseen amounts to € 9 million 
35 The agreement on this interconnect or is expected in 2010 and works are foreseen to start in 2011/2012 
 
EN 57   EN The priorities defined for the Cohesion Fund (CF)  are not relevant for energy infrastructure 
projects. 
3.3.2.  IPA / ISPA instruments 
Currently there are no TEN-E projects fi nanced under the pre-accession assistance 
instruments (IPA/ISPA) in any of the three candidate countries (Croatia, Turkey and 
fYROM). 
3.3.3.  European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI) 
Since 2007 EC assistance to the countries of  the European Neighbour hood Policy is provided 
under the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument  (ENPI).  It is designed to 
financially  support the agreed prioritie s in the ENP Action Plans (as well as the Strategic 
Partnership with Russia). 
EU support to regional ener gy cooperation in the Easter n neighbourhood countries and 
Central Asia is provided through the INOGATE programme , which has its secretariat in 
Kiev with a branch office in Georgia (Tbilisi) . The INOGATE programme is addressing the 
political priorities as defi ned under the Baku Initiative: 
(1) Converging energy markets  on the basis of the principles of the EU internal energy 
market taking into account the part icularities of the involved countries 
(2) Enhancing energy security  by addressing the issues  of energy exports/imports, 
supply diversification, ener gy transit and energy demand 
(3) Supporting sustainable energy development , including the deve lopment of energy 
efficiency, renewable energy and demand side management 
(4) Attracting investment  towards energy projects of common and regional interest. 
Besides, the INOGATE Programme also supports the political priorities of the Eastern 
Partnership. 
Projects supported under the INOGATE programme  mainly involve T echnical Assistance. 
The programme has however supported a number  of projects targeting infrastructure 
development enhancing the security supply situat ion of the region and Europe. Notable for the 
TEN-E are: 
• IFI Technical Assistance Support Fund fo r Facilitating Investments in Energy 
Projects, completed in May 2008, € 2,62 million : This project provided technical, 
financial, legal and environmental expertise to energy Investments in Eastern Europe and the Caucasus with a view to preparing s ound investment projects for financing by IFIs. 
Support was provided to 8 investment projects including in the field of oil, gas storage 
facility, electricity, CNG, LPG terminal in Ukraine and Armenia as well as the feasibility 
Study for a Trans Caspian Black Sea Gas Corridor . 
• Pre-investment project for the implementati on of the Trans-Caspian - Black Sea Gas 
Corridor, € 5 million: Cooperation via Multi-Donor Trust Fund with World Bank and 
EIB looking into possibilities of joint pur chasing mechanism, Caspian Development 
Corporation (CDC), and for studies required before cons truction of infrastructure. 
 
EN 58   EN Other projects focus on regulation and legislativ e reforms as well as capacity building in the 
areas of internal market c onvergence, sustainable energy a nd energy security including the 
enhancement of the investment environmen t. Between 2002 and 2009, the EC committed a 
total of about € 70 million to INOGATE, und er the Tacis Regional programme, the ENPI-
East regional programme and the DCI Central Asia regional programme. 
Support to energy cooperation  in the South  is led by the political dialogue held within the 
framework of the Euro-Mediterranean ener gy cooperation. Notably at the 5th Euro-
Mediterranean Energy Ministerial Conference th at took place in Limassol a Priority Action 
Plan 2008-2013 for the Euro-Mediterranean coop eration in the field of energy was adopted. 
Furthermore support is provided contributing to  the objectives of the Mediterranean Solar 
Plan as one of the priority actions under the Union for the Mediterranean. 
The project support under the regional ener gy cooperation mainly involves technical 
assistance. Projects of importance to the TEN-E concern: 
• Study on the “Mediterranean Electric Ring" that was launched in  2000. The study 
aimed at analysing in detail the behaviour of th e system as a whole; assessing the potential 
energy exchanges between the countries; proposi ng solutions to increase the reliability of 
the system; training experts and operators on system management and energy trading. An 
update of the study was carried out from July 2009 until February 2010; 
• EAMGM – Euro-Arab Mashreq Gas Market Project : The Euro-Arab Mashreq Gas 
Market (EAMGM) The project is run by the Euro-Arab Mashreq Gas Cooperation Centre 
(EAMGCC), established in Damascus. The overall objective of this project is to contribute 
to the integration of th e gas markets in the four benefici ary countries in order to create a 
regional gas market in the Mashreq, which woul d be a first step towards integration with 
the EU gas market. The project  has contributed to the deve lopment of the Euro-Arab gas 
pipeline with pre-feasibility studies, networ k analysis and a regional gas Master Plan. A 
first phase of the project was finished end 2009 involving € 6 million EU co-finance. A 
second phase (€ 5 million) will be launched in 2010. 
• Paving the way for the Mediterranean Solar Plan (€ 5 million): This is an upcoming 
project which is expected to start in the first half of 2010 for a period of  three years. It will 
assist the partner countries in establishing favourable conditions fo r the development of 
Renewable energy and Energy Efficiency including legislative reforms, institutional capacity, technological development and im provement of the business climate. 
Other projects in the field of  regional energy cooperation in the South focus on regulation and 
legislative reforms as well as capacity building in the areas of intern al market convergence 
and sustainable energy. 
Energy infrastructure development could possibly also be financed through the ENPI Cross-
Border Cooperation (CBC) programme  since it is foreseen that support for CBC on the 
EU's external border will draw on funds from both the external and the internal headings of 
the EC budget. This is an important innova tion. The programmes under the ENPI-CBC are 
planned to receive € 1,18 billion between 2007 and 2013. 
Besides regional support, the EU  is also providing support to the neighbouring countries 
through bilateral assistance. 
 
EN 59   EN 3.3.4.  NIF / FEMIP 
The Neighbourhood Investment Facility (NIF)  is an innovative financial mechanism aimed 
at mobilising additional funding to cover the investment needs of the Neighbouring region for infrastructures in sectors such as Transport, Energy, the Environment and Social issues (e.g. 
construction of schools or hospitals). The Faci lity will also support  the private sector 
particularly through risk capita l operations targeting Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). 
It is intended to provide Co mmunity and Member States' grant support for lending operations 
led by European multilateral development-finance institutions and by bilateral development finance institutions of the Member States. 
The NIF combines 2 sources of funding: th e EC Budget and Member States' direct 
contributions though the NIF Trust Fund. 
During the period 2007- 2013, the Commission intends to se t aside a total amount of € 700 
million for the NIF. Regarding the NIF Trust Fu nd, Member States have pledged in 2008 and 
2009 € 47 million of additional contribution. 
The NIF has supported a number of investments that are relevant to the TEN-E and the 
security of supply of the neighbourhood region a nd Europe in general. For example support is 
being provided to the Black Sea Energy Tran smission allowing the link between the power 
supply systems of the Southern Caucasus coun tries with Turkey and Europe. Furthermore 
support has been granted to rein forcement of the electricity ne twork in Ukraine improving the 
energy security and reliability in Ukraine while also contributing to regional integration in the field of energy, includin g cross-border links with the European Union. 
In case of the countries of the South and Southeast Mediterranean, the NIF is providing 
support to 200 MW Wind Farm proj ect in the Gulf of El Zayt . Furthermore, the NIF is 
financing a feasibility study for Concentrated Solar Power in Tunisia, contributing to the 
Mediterranean Solar Plan as priority ac tion under the Union for the Mediterranean. 
Furthermore, the European Union contribute s with € 32 million per year (2007-2013) to the 
Facility for Euro-Mediterranean Investment and Partnership (FEMIP) , managed by the 
EIB. The facility is among others financin g a study on the Financin g of Renewable Energy 
Investments in the Southern and Eastern Medite rranean region that will be presented in May 
2010. 
3.3.5.  Research and Development related Programmes 
The European Union supports the electricity  grid policy through ambitious and highly 
innovative technology development. The electricity grid receives the highe st priority in the 
Strategic Energy Technology plan
36 of the EU. The electricity grid forms the centre piece of 
all European Industrial Initiativ es of the Strategic Energy T echnology plan. Since a few years 
the electricity grid has also become the cen tre piece of the seventh Research Framework 
Programme (FP) and the "Intel ligent Energy – Europe" (IEE)  Programme. These programmes 
encourage the key trans-European energy networks objectives such as an increased security and diversity of energy supply. In particular, these programm es both support projects related 
to large scale electricity storage and massive market penetration of large scale centralised 
                                                
 
36 COM(2009)519 
 
EN 60   EN renewable electricity, such as for example th e short term construction of 150 GW off-shore 
wind turbines in the North Sea (400 GW total). 
Under the 7th Framework Programme37 (FP7), more than EUR 50 million of EU grants has 
been allocated to several demonstration projects  (up to commercial scale) and studies with the 
aim to support the strategic TEN-E dimension, as for example: 
– SUSPLAN – Development of regi onal and Pan-European guidelines for more efficient 
integration of renewable energy into future infrastructures 
– REALISEGRID – Research, methodologies and technologies for the effective 
development of pan-European key GRID infr astructures to support the achievement of a 
reliable, competitive and sustainable electricity supply 
– IRENE-40 – Infrastructure roadmap for energy networks in Europe 
– TWENTIES38 
– EWIS – European Wind Integration Study 
– SUPWIND – Decision Support for Large Scale Integration of Wind Power 
– WINDGRID – Wind on the Grid: An integrated approach 
– NORSEWIND – Northern seas wind index database 
– DINEMO – Distribution Networ ks Modernization Incentives in Pre-accession Countries 
In addition, the 6th Framework Programme39 (FP6) supported the GROW-DERS40, IS-
POWER41 and VSYNC42 projects which include a TEN-E dimension as well. 
Last, the "Intelligent Energy – Europe" Programme43 supported projects like: 
– GREENNET-INCENTIVES – Prom oting grid-related incentives for large-scale RES-E 
integration into the different European electricity systems 
– RESPOND – Renewable Electricity Supply interactions with conventional POwer 
generation, Networks and Demand 
                                                 
37 Detailed information on FP7 projects can be found on http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/home_en.html  
38 This project aims at large scale demonstration of  the benefits and the impacts of several critical 
technologies required to consolidat e the wind power generation into th e European electricity system and 
to improve the pan-European transmission network 
39 Detailed information on FP6 projects can be found on http://cordis.europa.eu/fp6/projects.htm  
40 Grid Reliability and Operability with Distributed Generation using Flexible Storage 
41 This project aims at developing technical and regulatory frameworks for improving the performance of 
insular energy systems (reliability and supply guaranty) and for making easier the integration of 
renewable energies and other distributed generation 
42 Virtual synchronous machines for frequency stabilisation in future grids with a significant share of 
decentralized generation 
43 Further information on the IEE projects can be found on 
http://ec.europa.eu/energy/intelligent/index_en.html  
 
EN 61   EN – TRADEWIND – Wind Power Integration and Exchange in the Trans-European Power 
Markets 
– OFFSHOREGRID – Regulat ory Framework for Offshore Grids and Power Markets in 
Europe: Techno-economic Assessment of Different Design Options 
– WINDSPEED – SPatial Deployment of offshore WIND Energy in Europe 
 
EN 62   EN Annexes  
Table A1: List of the electricity projects of Eu ropean interest as sp ecified in Annex I of 
the TEN-E Guidelines  
Table A2: List of the gas projects of Europ ean interest as specified in Annex I of the 
TEN-E Guidelines 
Table A3: State of implementation of projects of European interest in the electricity 
sector 
Table A4: State of implementation of projects of European interest in the gas sector 
Table A5: List of priority projects in the electricity sector  finalised and under 
construction 
Table A6: List of priority projects in the gas sector fi nalised and under construction 
Table A7: List of cross-border projects in the electricity sector finalised and under 
construction 
Table A8: List of cross-border projects in th e gas sector finalised and under construction 
Table A9: State of implementation of LNG pr ojects as listed in the Annex III of the 
TEN-E Guidelines 
Figure A1: Progress of electr icity projects of European interest – EL1, EL5 and EL6 
Figure A2: Progress of electricity project s of European interest – EL3 and EL9 
Figure A3: Progress of electr icity projects of European interest – EL2, EL4 and EL8 
(partly) 
Figure A4: Progress of electric ity projects of European interest – EL7 and EL8 (partly) 
Figure A5: Progress of gas projects  of European interest – NG1 
Figure A6: Progress of gas projects of European interest – NG2 and NG6 
Figure A7: Progress of gas projects  of European interest – NG3 
   
 
EN 63   EN Table A1: List of the electricity projects of European interest as specified in Annex I of 
the TEN-E Guidelines44 
Priority axis Project of European interest title Ref. Annex III of 
TEN-E guidelines 
EL1 Avelin (FR) – Avelgem (BE) line 2.2 
 Moulaine (FR) – Aubange (BE) line 2.1 
EL2 Lienz (AT) – Cordignano (IT) line 2.16 
 New interconnection between Italy and Slovenia 2.35 
 Udine Ovest (IT) – Okroglo (SI) line 2.36 
 S. Fiorano (IT) – Nave (IT) – Gorlago (IT) line 3.8 
 Venezia Nord (IT) – Cordignano (IT) line 3.9 
 St. Peter (AT) – Tauern (AT) line 3.60 
 Südburgenland (AT) – Kainachtal (AT) line 3.61 
 Austria – Italy (Thaur-Brixen) inte rconnection through the Brenner rail 
tunnel 2.18 
EL3 Sentmenat (ES) – Bescan ό (ES) – Baixas (FR) line 2.10 
 Valdigem (PT) – Douro Internacional  (PT) – Aldeadávila (ES) line and 
‘Douro Internacional’ facilities 2.14 
EL4 Philippi (EL) – Hamidabad (TR) line 4.9 
EL5 Undersea cable to link England (UK) and the Netherlands 2.21 
EL6 Undersea cable to link Ireland and Wales (UK) 1.1 
EL7 Kassø (DK) – Hamburg/Dollern (DE) line 2.22 
 Hamburg/Krümmel (DE) – Schwerin (DE) line 3.48 
 Kassø (DK) – Revsing (DK) – Tjele (DK) line 3.2 
 Vester Hassing (DK) – Trige (DK) line 3.2 
 Submarine cable Skagerrak 4: between Denmark and Norway 4.27 
 Poland – Lithuania link, including necessary reinforcement of the 
Polish electricity network and the Poland-Germany profile in order to enable participation in the internal energy market 2.29 
 Submarine cable Finland – Estonia (Estlink) 2.30 
 Fennoscan submarine cable be tween Finland and Sweden 2.15 
 Halle/Saale (DE) – Schweinfurt (DE) 3.49 
EL8 Neuenhagen (DE) – Vierraden (DE) – Krajnik (PL) line 2.28 
 Dürnrohr (AT) – Slav ětice (CZ) line 2.33 
 New interconnection between Germany and Poland 2.32 
 Veľký Kapušany (SK) – Lemešany (SK) – Moldava (SK) – Sajóivánka 
(HU) line 2.26/3.75/3.76 
 Gab číkovo (SK) – Vel'ký Ďur (SK) line 3.77 
 Stupava (SK) – south-east Vienna (AT) line 2.27 
EL9 Electricity connection to link Tunisia and Italy 4.25 
                                                 
44 OJ L 262, 22.9.2006, p. 1 
 
EN 64   EN Table A2: List of the gas proj ects of European interest as  specified in Annex I of the 
TEN-E Guidelines45 
Priority axis Project of European interest title Ref. Annex III of 
TEN-E guidelines 
NG1 North European gas pipeline 9.3 
 Yamal – Europe gas pipeline 9.16 
 Natural gas pipeline linking Denmark, Germany and Sweden 7.24 
 Increase in transmission capacity on the Germany – Belgium – United 
Kingdom axis 7.17 
NG2 Algeria – Tunisia – Italy gas pipeline 9.34 
 Algeria – Italy gas pipeline, via Sardinia and Corsica, with a branch to 
France 9.34 
 Medgas gas pipeline (Algeria – Spain – France – Continental Europe) 9.6 
NG3 Turkey – Greece – Italy gas pipeline 7.12/9.22 
 Turkey – Austria gas pipeline 7.16 
NG6 Libya – Italy gas pipeline 9.20 
 
                                                 
45 OJ L 262, 22.9.2006, p. 1 
 
EN 65   EN Table A3: State of implementation  of projects of European int erest in the electricity sector Ref. Annex III 
2006  
Axis (2006) 
Countries 
involved Project specification Sub-section/ 
routing/more 
specific title Known 
project 
status 
(March 
2010) Additional 
capacity 
(MVA) Length 
(km) Esti- 
mated 
total 
cost 
(M€) (Indi-
cative) 
In 
opera-
tion 
date Delay 
on 
initial 
schedule Elements of 
complexity of the 
project EIB 
loan 
(M€) EEPR 
max 
con-
tribu-
tion 
(M€) TEN-E 
grant(s) 
allocated 
(€) Applica- 
tion for 
TEN-E 
grant 
(ref.) 
2.1 EL1 BE, FR Moulaine (FR) - 
Aubange (BE) line - Construction 
phase 400 15 11 
(FR) 2010 na none 4 - 503.450 E205/05 
2.2 EL1 BE, FR Avelin (FR) - 
Avelgem (BE) line - Finalised 1000-1500 43 21,5 2005 5 years None. Additional delay 
(prolongation till June 
2011) will be needed for the financial and 
administrative closing 
of the project. The line is operational. Last 
works will be achieved 
on June 2010  na - 1.005.900 E191/04 
2.16 EL2 AT, IT Lienz (AT) - 
Cordignano (IT) line - Pre-Study 
phase 1000 154 140 2015 na Increasing sensibility of 
population against new line projects, optical 
impact and EMF. A 
new optimised line routing is necessary  na - 82.500 
355.000 E011/95 
E136/01 
2.18 EL2 AT, IT Austria - Italy (Thaur 
- Brixen) 
interconnect-tion 
through the Brenner rail tunnel - Study phase 2x1000 
2x1500 57-65 300 2025 na Crossing the Alps, 
coordination and 
integration with 
Railway project (commissioning time, 
cost and risk 
synergies), network rationalisation outside 
the tunnel, use of 
HVDC or a new technology solution: gas insulated line (more 
references needed)  na - 964.000 
449.500 E158/02 
E202/05 
 
EN 66   EN 2.35 EL2 IT, SI New interconnections 
between Italy and Slovenia Vrtojba - 
Redipuglia (110 kV); 
 
Dekani - Žavlje (110 kV) 
 
Divača - Italy 
(110 or 400 
kV) Study phase ca. 500 
MVA (110 kV) or ca. 
1000 
MVA (400 kV) 20 km 
  
 
5 km  
 20 
(110 kV) na na Previous project has 
been deleted, now identification of new 
projects in 110 kV or 
400 kV voltage levels between: Vrtojba – 
Redipuglia, Dekani - 
Zavlje   na - - - 
2.36 EL2 IT, SI Udine Ovest (IT) - 
Okroglo (SI) line - Study phase 1000-1500 120 80 2018 7 years Difficult identification 
of the cross border 
points between Italy 
and Slovenia (two possible crossing 
points), highly 
populated area on Italian side, definition 
of the routing: 35% of 
SI territory is devoted to Natura 2000 
programme, opposition 
of local population: EMF, landscape view, 
pre-condition on SI 
side: completion of Berecevo-Krsko line and interconnection to 
HU, need to enhance IT 
grid  na - 467.630  E194/04 
3.8 EL2 IT S. Fiorano (IT) - 
Nave (IT) - Gorlago (IT) line - Finalised  na 10 10 2003 none The reconstructing of 
the line Fiorano - Nave was stopped because 
the real-time 
monitoring system on the line Fiorano-Robbia 
improved the capacity. 
The route Nave -Gorlago was rebuilt on 
10 km due to an 
archeological site  na - - - 
3.9 EL2 IT Venezia Nord (IT) - 
Cordignano (IT) line now Venezia 
Nord (IT) - Volpago (IT) Study/ 
Authorisation phase 1000 75 25 2014  na Consultation with local 
authorities ongoing  na - - - 
 
EN 67   EN 3.60 EL2 AT  St. Peter (AT) - 
Tauern (AT) line 380-kV-
Salzburgleitung Tauern - 
Salzach neu Authorisation 
phase 1800 115 380 2017 na Opposition of local 
population: EMF, landscape view, 
protected birds and 
bugs, forest trees may be cut in defined 
seasons, difficult terrain  na - 2.660.400  E217/06 
3.60 EL2 AT  St. Peter (AT) - 
Tauern (AT) line 380-kV-
Salzburgleitung 
Salzach neu - 
St. Peter Authorisation/ 
Construction 
phase 2 x 1525 46 70 2011 na None, project is under 
construction yes - 843.600 
1.228.200 E184/04 
E256/09 
3.61 EL2 AT  Süd-Burgenland 
(AT) - Kainachtal (AT) line  - Finalised 1800 98 146 2009 na None 90 - 1.462.900  E228/07 
2.10 EL3 ES, FR Eastern Pyrenees 
connection between 
France and Spain Sentmenat (ES) 
- Becano (ES) - 
Baixas (FR) 
line Authorisation/ 
Construction 
phase (re-
routing for some part)  na 257 104,8 2010-
2013 na Local population 
opposition, natural 
protected areas na - 220.000  
394.150  E035/96 
E118/00 
2.14 EL3 ES, PT Valdigem (PT) - 
Douro Internacional 
(PT) - Aldeadavila 
(ES) line and 'Douro Internacional' 
facilities 400 kV Douro 
interconnection 
Aldeadávila 
(ES) - Lagoaça (PT) Construction 
phase 3210 204 88 2010 na Technical constraints, 
local Natura 2000 sites 
in the cross-border 
point area, local political concerns na 50 1.807.650  E196/05 
4.9 EL4 EL, TR Philippi (GR) - 
Hamitabat (TR) line  - Finalised 2x1400 
1x1200 (EL) 220 70 2008 none na na  - 195.000  
350.000  E106/99 
E129/00 
2.21 EL5 NL, UK Submarine cable 
between South-
Eastern England and 
central Netherlands Netherlands - 
UK 
Interconnector 
Project (BritNed cable) (Isle of Grain 
in Kent (UK) - 
Maasvlakte (NL)) Construction 
phase 1000 260 600 2011 none Technical constraints, 
commercial and 
regulatory 
complexities, cross-border cooperation na - 500.000  
2.053.000  
2.000.000  
800.000  1.625.000  1.000.000  
1.028.585  
2.669.000  1.075.000  E044/96 
E117/00 
E132/01 
E155/02 E160/03 E190/04 
E197/05 
E212/06 E262/09 
1.1 EL6 IE, UK Submarine cable 
Ireland-Wales (UK) East-West 
interconnector, 
Co. Wicklow - 
North Wales Authorisation 
phase 370 135 244 2013 none Finance/ credit 
problems, technology, 
permits/ planning 
issues, short run financed, non-existence 
of long run contracts, 
seasonal restrictions on marine activity na - - - 
 
EN 68   EN 1.1 EL6 IE, UK Submarine cable 
Ireland-Wales (UK) Meath (IE) - 
Deeside (UK-Wales) Authorisation 
phase 520 256 600 2012 none Finance/Credit 
problems, technology, permits/Planning 
issues, short run 
financed, non-existence of long run contracts, 
seasonal restrictions on 
marine activity 300 110 350.000  
610.000  2.000.000  E097/99 
E193/04 E226/07 
2.15 EL7 FI, SE Connections north of 
the Gulf of Bothnia 
and Fennoscan 
submarine cable between Finland and 
Sweden Fennoscan 
subsea cable 
between 
Finland and Sweden Construction 
phase 800 300 300 2011 1 year Time consuming permit 
process (environmental 
permits): Swedish 
water-rights, delays experienced by the 
cable suppliers to 
deliver the cable according to the 
original time schedule na - 75.000  
75.000  
120.750  
475.000  E002/95 
E005/95 
E114/00 
E209/06 
2.22 EL7 DE, DK Reinforcement of 
connections between 
Denmark and Germany, e.g. the Kasso - Hamburg 
line - Authorisation 
phase 3500 215 na 2018 na Densely populated 
area: numerous land 
owners. Foreseeing a very large amount of wind power to be 
transmitted between 
DE and DK. Time schedule for grid 
reinforcement and 
extension depends on dynamics of wind farm 
installation onshore and 
offshore with connection to grid in 
Schleswig-Holstein as 
well as on the development of grid 
integration of new 
power plants in the northern part of the 
E.ON Netz control 
zone na - 150.000  E099/99 
 
EN 69   EN 2.29 EL7 PL, LT Poland - Lithuania 
link (Elk - Alytus) Connection of 
Poland and Lithuania, 
enabling the 
participation of the Baltic 
States in the 
internal energy market Study phase 1000 154-
156 261 2015-
2020 none Rights of the land 
(population density), technical constraints, 
natural protected areas. 
Additional reinforcements in the 
Polish internal grid are 
necessary before the connection between 
Poland and Lithuania na - 1.900.000  
2.366.508  E243/08 
E263/09 
2.30 EL7 EE, FI Submarine cable to 
link Finland and 
Estonia (Estlink) Estlink Finalised 350 105 110 2006 na Weather conditions  na  - 670.000  E095/99 
2.30 EL7 EE, FI Submarine cable to 
link Finland and Estonia (EstLink 2) EstLink 2 Authorisation 
phase 650 165-
170 300 2014 na Parallel planning 
process in two countries: difficult 
public procurement 
procedures. Complicated general 
economic situation: 
investments into grid reinforcements are 
limited and higher risk 
involved in subcontracting. Positive 
development in market 
opening in Baltic countries necessary. Processes for receiving 
different permits 
(cross-border project) and different 
environmental aspects. na 100 - -  
3.2 EL7 DK Connections on the 
Danish north-south 
axis  Vester Hassing 
(DK) - Trige 
(DK) line Construction 
phase 900 114 160 2014 na Depends on other 
projects especially 
between DK and DE (e.g. Kasso-
Hamburg/Dollern and 
Skagerrak IV) and wind power allocation, 
difficult acceptance 
from land owners, restructuring period of 
authorities na - - -  
3.2 EL7 DK Connections on the 
Danish north-south 
axis  Kasso (DK) - 
Revsing (DK) - 
Tjele (DK) line Authorisation 
phase 2000 180 200 2014 na Public acceptance for 
OHL, natural protected 
areas na - 1.498.000  E253/09 
 
EN 70   EN 3.48 EL7 DE Hamburg/Krümmel 
(DE) - Schwerin (DE) line   Authorisation/ 
Construction phase 2x1800 90 85 2010 1 year Opposition from local 
population: routing, fear of EMF, 
deterioration of 
landscape view, perception of supra-
regional or European 
perspectives is low, time-consuming public 
consultation 
procedures, numerous stakeholders, special 
requirements on 
detailed documentation by state authority in 
Schleswig-Holstein na - - -  
3.49 EL7 DE Halle/Saale region 
(DE) - Schweinfurt 
region (DE) line Section 1 
(Lauchstaedt - 
Vieselbach) 
Section 2 (Vieselbach - 
Altenfeld) 
Section 3 (Altenfeld - 
Border 
Bavaria) Section 4 Authorisation 
phase/ 
Finalised  2x2400 205 350 2013 3 years Managing the different 
administrative areas 
crossed by the projects 
(three Federal States of Germany), 
authorisation 
procedures, technical constraints and use of 
new technology, public 
acceptance, crossing large wooden areas na 100 290.000  E224/07 
4.27 EL7 DK Upgrading of 
connections between Denmark and 
Norway Skagerrak 4 Authorisation 
phase 700 260 375 
 2014 none Difficult terrain 
conditions for cable landing (subsea), 
technical constraints 
and innovative technology solutions to 
be investigated na - 856.000  E266/09 
2.26 EL8 HU, SK Moldava (SK) - 
Sajoivanka (HU) now Rimavská 
Sobota (SK) - 
Sajóivánka 
(HU) (see project 2.25) Cancelled 2x1385 11 60 2017 na Through environmental 
problems on the 
Hungarian side this  
interconnection is not feasible na - - - 
 
EN 71   EN 2.27 EL8 SK, AT Stupava (SK) - south-
east Vienna (AT) line - Cancelled 1400 50 80 > 2015 na Depends on 
strengthening the Austrian grid from 
north to south. High 
number of lines in the region of Vienna. Level 
of EMF. Protected area 
and wildlife. Priority given in AT to other 
projects na - - - 
2.28 EL8 DE, PL Neuenhagen (DE) - 
Uckermark/Vierraden 
(DE) - Krajnik (PL) 
line Conversion of 
existing 220-
kV double 
circuit line into a 400-kV line 
together with 
phase shifting transformers 
installation on 
400 kV lines: Krajnik (PL) - 
Vierraden (DE) 
and Mikulowa (PL) - 
Hagenwerder 
(DE) Study/ 
Authorisation 
phase na 125 439+ 
47 2015 na Study phase: depends 
on strengthening the 
Polish grid according to 
the development studies and results of 
PL - DE bilateral WG 
study Poland states:Problems 
in financing, necessary 
substantial support from EU na - 283.000   E199/05 
2.28 EL8 DE, PL Neuenhagen (DE) - 
Vierraden (DE) - 
Krajnik (PL)) New 
connection 
including upgrading of 
the PL grid 
according to connection as 
in the 
Vierraden (DE) - Krajnik (PL) Study phase  na 65 260 2015 na Legal frame on DE-side 
prevents relevant 
expropriations for the interconnection. Study 
phase: depends on 
strengthening the Polish grid according to 
the development 
studies and results of PL-DE bilateral WG 
study. 
Poland states: Problems in financing, necessary 
substantial support 
from EU na - - - 
2.32 EL8 DE, PL New connections to 
link the UCTE and CENTREL systems New 
interconnection between 
Germany and 
Poland Study phase na na  na >2015 na  na na -  - - 
2.33 EL8 AT, CZ Dürnrohr (AT) - 
Slavetice (CZ) line   Finalised 900 96 9 2008 na none - - - - 
 
EN 72   EN 3.75 EL8 SK Lemesany (SK) - 
Moldava (SK) First phase: 
2x400 kV line Moldava (SK) - 
Switching 
substation Košice (SK) 
Second phase: 
2x400 kV line Switching 
substation 
Košice (SK) – Lemešany (SK) Construction 
phase/ Finalised 2x1662 43 60 2011 none No major problems 
encountered so far na - 1.039.034  E272/09 
3.76 EL8 SK Lemesany (SK) - 
Vel'ky Kapusany (SK)  - Study phase 2x1385 110 86,3 2017 na Negotiation with land 
owners, permitting procedures na - 210.000  E242/08 
3.77 EL8 SK Gabcikovo (SK) - 
Vel'ky Dur (SK) line  - Authorisation 
phase 2x1385 93 100 2022 11 years No major problems 
encountered. 
Environmental Impact Assessment 
successfully 
accomplished.  Project is associated 
with other investments 
in Slovak transmission grid and therefore its 
realisation is/could be 
postponed na - - - 
4.25 EL9 IT, 
Tunisia Electricity 
connection to link Tunisia and Italy - Authorisation 
phase 1000 350 500-
700 2015 na Need of increase 
investments on the HV grid in Sicily and Calabria Regions. Need 
to increase generation 
capacity in Tunisia. At this aim, a generation 
project called 
“ELMED” (1200 MW) based on a mix between 
conventional and RES 
will be realised. na - - - 
 
EN 73   EN Table A4: State of implementati on of projects of European  interest in the gas sector Ref. Annex III 
2006 
Axis (2006) 
Countries 
involved Project 
specification Sub-section/ 
routing/more 
specific title Known 
project 
status 
(March 
2010) Additional 
capacity 
(Bcm/y) Length 
(km) Estima-
ted 
total 
cost 
(M€) (Indica-
tive)  
In 
operation 
date Delay 
on 
initial 
schedule Elements of 
complexity of the 
project EIB 
loan 
(M€) EEPR 
max 
con-
tribu-
tion 
(M€) TEN-E 
grant(s) 
allocated 
(€) Applica- 
tion for 
TEN-E 
grant 
(ref.) 
7.17 NG1 DE, 
NL, 
UK Interconnecting 
pipelines 
between United Kingdom, the 
Netherlands and 
Germany, linking the main 
sources and 
markets of North West Europe Eemstunnel 
Rysum-
Midwolda (part of North-South 
project 
Rysum/Oude Statenzijl - 
Zelzate/‘s-
Gravenvoeren, NL) Construction 
phase Entry= 
31,8 
Exit= 12,5 400 1156 2010 na Lengthy permitting 
procedures (incl. EIA 
report), protected natural areas, crossing 
natural barriers, 
escalation of contractor pricing caused by 
limited capacity and 
increasing costs of energy 500 - 2.819.004 
 
1.587.056  G157/08 
(NL) 
G163/09 (DE) 
7.17 NG1 DE, 
NL, 
UK Interconnecting 
pipelines 
between United Kingdom, the 
Netherlands and 
Germany, linking the main 
sources and 
markets of North West Europe GWWL pipe 
line 
(Grijpskerk-Workum-
Wieringermeer 
lijn) Finalised na 110 350 2007 na Nothi ng reported na - 362.825  G108/04 
7.17 NG1 DE, 
NL, 
UK Interconnecting 
pipelines 
between United 
Kingdom, the Netherlands and 
Germany, 
linking the main sources and 
markets of North 
West Europe Bacton (UK) - 
Balgzand (NL) Finalised 8 230 500 2006 na Protected natural areas 
(re-routing needed) na - - - 
 
EN 74   EN 7.17 NG1 DE, 
NL, UK Interconnecting 
pipelines between United 
Kingdom, the 
Netherlands and Germany, 
linking the main 
sources and markets of North 
West Europe Extension of 
transport capacity from 
Emden / OSZ 
(German border) to 
Balgzand 
(interconnector to the UK) - 
Integrated 
Open Season Gasunie (NL) 
PART I Authorisation 
phase >10 100 300 2014 na Lengthy permitting 
procedures (incl. EIA report), protected 
natural areas, crossing 
natural barriers, escalation of contractor 
pricing caused by 
limited capacity and increasing costs of 
energy na - - - 
7.17 NG1 DE, 
NL, 
UK Interconnecting 
pipelines 
between United 
Kingdom, the Netherlands and 
Germany, 
linking the main sources and 
markets of North 
West Europe Extension of 
transport 
capacity from 
Emden / OSZ (German 
border) to 
Balgzand (interconnector 
to the UK) - 
Integrated Open Season 
Gasunie (NL) 
PART II Authorisation 
phase >10 100 300 2015 na Lengthy permitting 
procedures (incl. EIA 
report), protected 
natural areas, crossing natural barriers, 
escalation of contractor 
pricing caused by limited capacity and 
increasing costs of 
energy na - - - 
7.17 NG1 DE, 
NL, UK Interconnecting 
pipelines between United 
Kingdom, the 
Netherlands and Germany, 
linking the main 
sources and markets of North 
West Europe LNG West: 
Connection LNG terminal 
GATE towards 
CS Wijngaarden Construction 
phase 12 80 191 2011 na Lengthy permitting 
procedures (incl. EIA report), protected 
natural areas, crossing 
natural barriers, escalation of contractor 
pricing caused by 
limited capacity and increasing costs of 
energy na - - - 
7.17 NG1 DE, 
NL, 
UK Interconnecting 
pipelines 
between United Kingdom, the 
Netherlands and 
Germany, linking the main 
sources and 
markets of North West Europe Pipeline 
Ommen- 
Ravenstein towards 
Belgium border Construction 
phase 20 180 550 2012 na Lengthy permitting 
procedures (incl. EIA 
report), protected natural areas, crossing 
natural barriers, 
escalation of contractor pricing caused by 
limited capacity and 
increasing costs of energy na - - - 
 
EN 75   EN 7.17 NG1 DE, 
NL, UK Interconnecting 
pipelines between United 
Kingdom, the 
Netherlands and Germany, 
linking the main 
sources and markets of North 
West Europe UGS Alkmaar 
– Bergermeer connection 
(Pipeline and 
10 MW compression) Authorisation 
phase 4 2 60 2013 na Lengthy permitting 
procedures (incl. EIA report), protected 
natural areas, crossing 
natural barriers, escalation of contractor 
pricing caused by 
limited capacity and increasing costs of 
energy na - - - 
7.17 NG1 DE, 
NL, 
UK Interconnecting 
pipelines 
between United Kingdom, the 
Netherlands and 
Germany, linking the main 
sources and 
markets of North West Europe Integrated 
Open Season 
Gasunie Germany 
(Pipelines and 
25 MW compression 
station) Authorisation 
phase 12 100 450 2014 na Lengthy permitting 
procedures (incl. EIA 
report), protected natural areas, crossing 
natural barriers, 
escalation of contractor pricing caused by 
limited capacity and 
increasing costs of energy na - - - 
7.17 NG1 DE, 
NL, 
UK Interconnecting 
pipelines 
between United 
Kingdom, the Netherlands and 
Germany, 
linking the main sources and 
markets of North 
West Europe Ravenstein 
(NL) - Vinkel 
(BE) Finalised na na na 2003 na Nothing reported na - - - 
7.24 NG1 DE, 
DK, SE The Baltic gas 
interconnect-tor between 
Denmark - 
Germany - Sweden Baltic gas 
interconnector (BGI) Authorisation 
phase completed 3 200 
(off-shore) 300 na 3 years Diversity of 
authorisation counterparts in 
Germany, time-
consuming procedures; implementation delayed 
due to considerations 
for linking Nord Stream to the Swedish gas 
pipeline network na - 1.750.000  G051/99 
9.3 NG1 RU, 
DE North European 
gas pipeline: Russia, Baltic 
Sea, Germany Nord Stream 
(offshore section) Authorisation 
phase 27,5 
(2011) 55 (2012) 1220 7400 2012 na Protected natural areas, 
opposition of some Member States in the 
Region (eg. Sweden) na - - - 
9.16 NG1 DE, 
PL, BL Yamal - Europe 
II natural gas pipeline  - Pre-study 
phase 43 680 1500 na na Lack of interest from 
potential partners, studies not yet started na - 924.500  G103/04 
 
EN 76   EN Table A5: Priority projects in the electrici ty sector finalised and under construction Ref. Annex 
III 2006 
Axis (2006) 
Countries 
involved Project specification Sub-section/ routing/ more 
specific title Addi-
tional 
capacity 
(MVA) Length 
(km) Esti- 
mated 
total cost 
(M€) (Indica-
tive)  
In 
operation 
date EIB loan 
(M€) EEPR 
max 
contri-
bution
(M€) TEN-E 
grant(s) 
allocated 
(€) Application 
for TEN-E 
grant (ref.) 
Finalised 
2.5 EL1 DE, FR Vigy (FR) - Uchtel fangen (DE) line - na na na 2002 na  - 230.000 E085/98 
3.58 EL1 BE Installation of phase shifters and/or capacitor 
batteries in Belgium Different locations na na 57 na na - 2.000.000 E219/07 
2.6 EL2 FR La Praz (FR) phase transformer - na na 13 2002 na  - 344.200 E098/99 
2.7 EL2 FR, IT Further increase of capacity through existing 
interconnection between France and Italy Phase shifter in Rondissone na  na 23 2004 na -  -  - 
3.14 EL2 IT Rizziconi (IT) - Feroleto (IT) - Laino (IT) line - na na 80 2005 na - 296.300 E090/98 
3.6 EL2 IT Turbigo (IT) - Rho (IT) - Bovisio (IT) line - na 31 40 2006 na -  -  - 
4.1 EL2 IT, CH New interconnection Italy - Switzerland  San Fiorano (IT) - Robbia 
(CH) line 1400 196 77 2005 na  - 249.000 E135/01 
2.11 EL3 ES, PT Connections between northern Portugal and north-
western Spain Cartelle-Lindoso II na na na 2004 na - - - 
2.12 EL3 ES, PT Sines (PT) - Alqueva (PT) - Balboa (ES) line - na na 39 2004 na  - 125.000 
538.500 E064/97 
E065/97 
2.9 EL3 ES New trans-Pyrenean interconnection between 
France and Spain Vic phase shifter na na na 2002 na - - -  
2.9 EL3 ES, FR New trans-Pyrenean interconnection between 
France and Spain Hernani-Argia (upgrade) na na na 2002 na - - - 
2.9 EL3 FR, ES  New trans-Pyrenean interconnection between 
France and Spain Cantegrit-Mougerre (220kv)-
(Arkale) na na na  2002 na - - - 
2.9 EL3 ES, FR New trans-Pyrenean interconnection between 
France and Spain Installation of a 225 kV 
phase displacement 
transformer at the Pragneres substation (FR) na 550 
(FR-ES) na 1998 na - 100.000 E068/97 
2.9 EL3 ES, FR New trans-Pyrenean interconnection between 
France and Spain Pirineo connection substation 
electricity line; Restructuring of the network around Baixas na na na 1997 na - 140.000 E027/95 
 
EN 77   EN 3.18 EL3 ES New connections on the North axis of Spain Boimente - ln/Aluminio-
Puentes I y II na na na 2003 na - - - 
3.19 EL3 ES New connections on the Mediterranean axis of 
Spain La Eliana - La Plana II na na na 2003 na - - - 
3.19 EL3 ES New connections on the Mediterranean axis of 
Spain Litoral - Rocamora II na na na 2003 na - - -  
3.19 EL3 ES New connections on the Mediterranean axis of 
Spain Nueva Escombreras - El 
Palmar na 101 22,2 2007 150 - - - 
3.20 EL3 ES New connections on th e Galicia (ES) - Centro (ES) 
axis Cartelle - ln/ Castrelo-Ve lle na na na 2002 na - - - 
3.21 EL3 ES New connections on the Centro (ES) - Aragon (ES) 
axis Trillo - Magallón na na na 2002 na - - - 
3.25 EL3 ES New connections in Andalucia (ES) Pinar - Estrecho II na  na na 2002 na - - - 
3.28 EL3 PT Picote (PT) - Pocinho (PT) line (upgrading)  - na na 4 2004 na - - - 
3.30 EL3 PT Pego (PT) - Batalha (PT) line and Ba talha facilities  - na na 18 2006 na - 347.630 E150/02 
3.31 EL3 PT Sines (PT) - Ferreira do Alentejo (PT) I line 
(upgrading)  -  na  na 3 2005 na - - - 
3.33 EL3 PT Pereiros (PT) - Zêzere (PT) Santarem (PT) lines 
and Zêzere facilities  -  na na  28 2004 na - - - 
3.34 EL3 PT Batalha (PT) - Rio Major (PT) I and II lines 
(upgradings)  - 350 11 5,4 2003 na - - - 
3.35 EL3 PT Carrapatelo (PT) - Mourisca (PT) line (upgrading)  - na na 4 2005 na -  - - 
3.36 EL3 PT Valdigem (PT) - Viseu (PT) - An adia (PT) line  - na na 28 2006 na - 1.194.720 E171s/03 
3.43 EL3 ES Connections in the north-east and west of Spain, in 
particular to connect to the network wind-power generation capacities Magallón - ln/ Serna-
Peñaflor na na na 2002 na - - - 
3.43 EL3 ES Connections in the north-east and west of Spain, in 
particular to connect to the network wind-power 
generation capacities Santurce - Zierbana na na na 2002 na  -  - - 
3.43 EL3 ES Connections in the north-east and west of Spain, in 
particular to connect to the network wind-power 
generation capacities Cartelle - Trives II na  na na 2003 na - - - 
3.43 EL3 ES Connections in the north-east and west of Spain, in 
particular to connect to the network wind-power generation capacities Meson - Cartelle II na na na 2003 na - - - 
3.38 EL4 EL Thessaloniki (EL), Lamia (EL) and Patras (EL) 
substations and connecting lines Thessaloniki X substation na na 4,5 2008 na - - - 
 
EN 78   EN 3.39 EL4 EL Connection of the regions of Evia (EL), Lakonia 
(EL) and Thrace (EL) Expansion of the 400 kV 
System to the area of Thrace with the construction of the 
400 kV OHL (double circuit) 
Filippoi – N. Santa and the 400 kV OHL connection the 
Systems of Greece and 
Turkey (see Project 4.22) na na na na na - - - 
3.40 EL4 EL Strengthening of existing connections of the 
peripherical regions in the mainland in Greece Enhancement of the 
connection of the island of 
Corfu to the mainland na 44 32 2007 na  - - - 
4.20 EL4 BG, TR Connections in the Black Sea Electricity Ring: 
Russia – Ukraine – Romania – Bulgaria – Turkey – 
Georgia  Maritsa East 3 - Hamitabat na na 24 2002 na - - - 
4.3 EL4 EL, 
FYROM Meliti* (EL) - Bitola (Former Yugoslav Republic 
Of Macedonia) line   *The project has substituted 
the initially scheduled OHL Amyntaio – Bitola na 18 5 (GR) 2007 na - 125.000 E059/96 
4.6 EL4 BH Mostar (Bosnia and Herzegovina) substation and 
connecting lines Kakanj - Prijedor na na 1 2003 na - - - 
4.6 EL4 BH Mostar (Bosnia and Herzegovina) substation and 
connecting lines Mostar - Gacko na na 4 2004 na - - - 
4.6 EL4 BH Mostar (Bosnia and Herzegovina) substation and 
connecting lines Mostar - Sarajevo na na 7 2005 na - - - 
4.6 EL4 BH Mostar (Bosnia and Herzegovina) substation and 
connecting lines Tuzla - Visegrad na na 4 2006 na - - - 
4.7 EL4 HR, BH Ernestinovo (Cro atia) substation and connecting 
lines Ernestinovo - Ugljevik na na 11 2003 na - - - 
4.7 EL4 HR, FRY Ernestinovo (Cro atia) substation and connecting 
lines Ernestinovo - Mladost na na 11 2003 na - - - 
4.7 EL4 HR Ernestinovo (Croa tia) substation and connecting 
lines Ernestinovo - Zerjavinec na na 2 2003 na - - - 
4.8 EL4 GR New connections between Greece and Albania, 
Bulgaria and the Former Yugoslav Republic of 
Macedonia Florina Amyndeo / 
Amyntaio na  na na 2003 na - - - 
4.8 EL4 EL, AL, 
BG, 
FYROM New connections between Greece and Albania, 
Bulgaria and the Former Yugoslav Republic of 
Macedonia OHL Stip – C. Mogila 
(FYROM – Bulgaria) 650 na 50 2009 na - - - 
3.41 EL6 IE  Tynagh (IE) - Cashla (IE) line - na na 33 2003 na  - 685.000 
550.000 E069/97 
E084/98 
3.53 EL6 UK Connections in the North-West of the United 
Kingdom Isle of Man Submarine link na 105 410 2000 na - 435.000 
1.015.000 E043/96 
E071/97 
3.54 EL6 UK Island Magee-Coylton (MOYLE) - na na 225 2002 na - - - 
 
EN 79   EN 2.23 EL7 SE, DK Reinforcement of the connections between 
Denmark and Sweden na na na 35 2006 na - - - 
4.13 EL7 PL Connections for the Baltic Electricity Ring: 
Germany - Poland - Russia - Estonia - Latvia - Lithuania - Sweden - Finland - Denmark - Belarus Dobrzen- Wielopole na na 46 2003 na - - - 
4.14 EL7 FI, RU Southern Finland - Russi a link Kymi-St.Petersburg II na na 300 - 
1000 na na - 240.000 E055/96 
4.15 EL7 SE, NO New connections between North Sweden and North 
Norway Reinforcement of the 
existing connection and a 
new transformer was 
installed in Grundfos, Sweden na na na 2004 na - - - 
4.17 EL7 NO Borgvik (SE) - Hoesle (NO) - Oslo region (NO) 
line Oslo West Line na na na 2005 na - - - 
3.65 EL8 PL Ostrów (PL) - Tr ębaczew (Rogowiec) (PL)  - na 110 95,3 2008 na - - - 
3.67 EL8 PL Tarnów (PL) - Krosno (PL)  - na 75 25 2006 na - - - 
4.12 EL9 ES, MA Submarine cable between South Spain and 
Morocco (strengthening of existing connection) i.a. Estrecho-Melloussa II na 31 69,2 2006 na - 637.500 
1.127.000 E003/95 
E131/01 
4.22 EL9 GR, IT New connections in  the Mediterranean Electricity 
Ring: France – Spain – Morocco – Algeria – Tunisia – Libya – Egypt – near-eastern Countries – 
Turkey – Greece - Italy Ipiros-Puglia na na na 2002 100 - - E191/04 
4.11   NL, NO Eemshaven (NL) - Feda (NO) link  NorNed cable na  na 565 2007 na  - 1.500.000 
4.215.000 
3.000.000 E052/96 
E088/98 
E198/05 
4.19   HU Connections and interface between the extended 
UCTE system and Belarus, Russia and Ukraine, 
including relocation of HVDC conversion stations 
operating previously betw een Austria and Hungary, 
Austria and the Czech Republic, and Germany and 
the Czech Republic Györ-Szombathely na 89,9 60 2006 na - - - 
4.29   HU, RO Békéscsaba (HU) - Or adea (RO) Now Békéscsaba (HU) - 
Nadab(RO) - Arad(HU) as due to problems with land 
owners a small part between 
Nadab and Oradea could not be constructed na na 18,5 2008 na - 435.000 
1.580.000 E203/05 
E237/07 
4.7   HR Ernestinovo (Croa tia) substation and connecting 
lines Szombathely-Hévíz 
interconnection (HU) na 77,8 47 2009 na - 691.250 
2.000.000 E208/06  
E238/07 
Construction phase 
3.4 EL1 FR New connections in south- western France Upgraded 400 kV and 225 
kV lines na na na 2014 na - - - 
 
EN 80   EN 2.31 EL2 SI Installation of fl exible alternating current 
transmission systems linking Italy and Slovenia Phase Shift Transformer - 
PST, Diva ča Substation - 
400 kV, 2x600 MVA 2x600 - 52,8 2012 21,5 - 1.054.400  E268/09 
2.7 EL2 FR, IT Further increase of capacity through existing 
interconnection between France and Italy  - 600 200 102-114 2012 na - 588.000  E183/04 
2.8 EL2 FR, IT New interconnection between France and Ital y Piossasco (IT) - Cornier (FR) 600 100 (IT) na 2012 na - - - 
3.12 EL2 IT Tavarnuzze (IT) - Casellina (IT) line Tavernuzze - Casellina - 
Santa Barbara  na 37 120 2010 na - - - 
3.13 EL2 IT Tavarnuzze (IT) - S. Barbara (IT) line  - na 35 120 2010 na - 87.500  E014/95 
1.6 EL3 IT Submarine cable Sardinia (IT) - Italy Mainland  - 1000 420 750 2010 na - 725.000  E181/04 
1.9 EL3 ES New connections in the Balearic and Canary 
Islands (ES) Electrical connection by 
submarine cable between the Balearic Islands and the 
Spanish peninsular network 400 250 419,3 2011 na  - 856.000  E161/03  
2.10 EL3 ES Eastern Pyrenees connection between France and 
Spain Sentmenat - Bescano - Vic na na na 2010 na - - - 
2.13 EL3 ES, PT Connection betwee n southern Portugal and south-
western Spain Portimão (PT) - Tavira (PT) 
- P. Gusman (ES) - Guillena (ES) line and Tavira facilities 
(400 kV South 
interconnection Guillena (ES) - Tavira (PT)) 1860 301 90,9 2011 na 50 - - 
3.18 EL3 ES New connections on the North ax is of Spain Cantabrian Sea: Penagos - 
Gueñes electricity line na 150 46 2010 na - 150.000 E023/95 
3.18 EL3 ES New connections on the North axis of Spain Cantabrian Sea: Soto - 
Penagos electricity line na 178 79,9 2011 na - 90.000 
55.000 E025/95 
E076/97 
3.20 EL3 ES New connections on th e Galicia (ES) - Centro (ES) 
axis Tordesillas-San Sebastian de 
los Reyes na 380,8 103,62 2010 na - - -  
3.20 EL3 ES New connections on th e Galicia (ES) - Centro (ES) 
axis Trives-Tordesillas na 476,6 150,8 2011 na - - - 
3.20 EL3 ES New connections on th e Galicia (ES) - Centro (ES) 
axis Arcos-Cabra na 289,2 86,4 2010 na - - - 
3.20 EL3 ES New connections on th e Galicia (ES) - Centro (ES) 
axis Cabra-Guadame na 148 36,8 2010 na - - - 
3.43 EL3 ES Connections in the north-east and west of Spain, in 
particular to connect to the network wind-power 
generation capacities Abanto - ln/ Penagos - 
Güeñes na 36,4 11,5 2011 na - - - 
3.43 EL3 ES Connections in the north-east and west of Spain, in 
particular to connect to the network wind-power 
generation capacities Abanto - Zierbana na 10,4 3,6 2010 na - - - 
 
EN 81   EN 3.38 EL4 EL Thessaloniki (EL), Lamia (EL) and Patras (EL) 
substations and connecting lines New Thessaloniki (Lagadas) 
EHV Substation (Air Insulated Substation - AIS) 2 x 202 80 43 2010 na - - - 
3.39 EL4 EL Connection of the regions of Evia (EL), Lakonia 
(EL) and Thrace (EL) 150 kV OHL Polypotamos – 
S. Evia and 150 kV OHL and 
submarine cables 
Polypotamos - N. Makri (Attica) na 73 42 2011 na - - -  
4.8 EL4 EL, AL, 
BG, 
FYROM New connections between Greece and Albania, 
Bulgaria and the Former Yugoslav Republic of 
Macedonia Zlatitsa-Karlovo-Plovdiv na na 15 2010 na - - - 
3.1 EL7 DK Connections on the Danish east-west axis: 
connection between Denmark's western (UCTE) and eastern (NORDEL) networks Great Belt sea cable from 
Funen to Sealand 600 26+32 169 2010 na - - - 
4.15 EL7 SE, NO New connections between North Sweden and North 
Norway Järpströmmen-Nea na na 66 2010 na - - - 
4.16 EL7 SE, NO New connections between Mid Sweden and Mid 
Norway  na na na 66 2010 na - 54.700 E115/00 
3.64 EL8 PL Ostrów (PL) - Plewiska (PL) - na 145 71,3 2010 na - - - 
3.72 EL8 SI Krsko (SI) - Bericevo (SI) - 1000 80 62 2013 29,3 (tbc) - 3.616.612  E245/08 
4.22 EL9 FR, ES, 
MA, DZ, TN, LY, 
EG, TR, 
EL, IT New connections in the Mediterranean Electricity 
Ring: France – Spain – Morocco – Algeria – Tunisia – Libya – Egypt – near-eastern Countries – 
Turkey – Greece - Italy  na na na 55 2009 na -  - - 
1.2   EL Connection of southern Cyclades (EL) (to the 
Interconnected System)  na na na 300 2014 na - 250.000  E111/99 
1.8   IT Connection Italy mainland - Sicily (IT): doubling of 
the connection Sorgente (IT) - Rizziconi New 380 kV AC submarine 
cable between Sicily - 
Continental Italy (Sorgente - Rizziconi) 2000 104 700 2013 200 110 - - 
2.34   MT Submarine electric ity connection to link Malta 
(MT) and Sicily (IT) Extension of the onshore 
network (MT) to the submarine electricity 
interconnector Italy-Malta 250 14 10 2012 na 5 - - 
4.31   HU, HR Pécs (HU) - Ernestinovo (HR) - 500 86,4 43,6 2010 na - 2.234.611  E246/08 
 
EN 82   EN Partly in construction phase 
3.59 EL1 BE Upgrading of 380 k V grid in Belgium to increase 
import capacity Development and upgrade of 
the 380 kV belgian grid on 
the northern border Belgium-
Netherlands within Antwerp Region (BRABO) (2 phases) 400 + 
1600 38 120 2012  
(1st 
phase) 
2016 (2nd phase) na - - - 
4.2 EL4 EL, BG Philippi (GR) - Maritsa 3 (Bulgaria) line - na na  10 +30,3 2012-
2015 na - 450.000  
150.000 E060/96 
E079/98 
 
EN 83   EN Table A6: Priority projects in the gas sector finalised and under construction Ref. Annex 
III 2006 
Axis (2006) 
Countries in-
volved Project specification Sub-section/ routing/ more 
specific title Addi-
tional 
capacity 
(Bcm/y) Length 
(km) Esti- 
mated 
total cost 
(M€) (Indica-
tive) In 
operation 
date EIB loan 
(M€) EEPR 
max 
contri-
bution 
(M€) TEN-E 
grant(s) 
allocated 
(€) Application 
for TEN-E 
grant (ref.) 
Finalised 
7.10 NG1 AT Bad Leonfelden (AT) – Linz (A T) pipeline - na na 23 2005 na  -  -  - 
7.22 NG1 DK Connection between offshore facilities in the 
North Sea, or from Danish offshore to United 
Kingdom onshore facilities - na na na 2004 na  - -  - 
7.27 NG1 BE Upgrading of capacity along the north-west axis: 
Zelzate (BE) - Zeebrugge (BE) - 10 na 82,6 2009 - - - - 
9.19 NG1 DE, CZ, 
PL Increasing transport capacity of the STEGAL gas 
pipeline for transport of additional gas from the 
Czech-German border and from the Polish-German border through Germany to other Member States - na na 190 2006 na  - -  - 
7.4 NG2 FR, ES Lussagnet (FR) - Bilbao (ES) pipeline - 0,5-3 na  25 2005 na - 911.350 G061/00 
9.6 NG2 DZ, ES, 
FR New gas pipelines from Algeria to Spain and 
France and related capacity increase of the 
internal networks in these countries Network in Andalucia na  na na 2002 na  -  -  - 
9.7 NG2 DZ, 
MA, ES Increasing transport capacity of the Algeria - 
Morocco - Spain (up to Córdoba) pipeline - na  na na 2004 na - -  - 
9.8 NG2 ES Córdoba (ES) - Ciudad Real (ES)  pipeline - na  na  na na na - -  - 
9.9 NG2 ES Ciudad Real (ES) - Madrid (ES) pipeline - na  na  na na na  -  -  - 
9.22 NG3 EL, TR Greece-Italy interconnec tion pipeline Interconnector Turkey-
Greece-Italy (ITGI) Branch Greece-Turkey 11 295 82,2 (EL) 2007 na - 4.330.000 G082/02 
8.20 NG5 IE Developping underg round gas storage facilities in 
Ireland - 0,25 25 na 2002 na - 318.000 
4.950.000 G016/96 
G030/97 
8.28 NG5 PT Storage in Carriço (PT), new site - 1,4 - 110 2009 na - -  - 
8.30 NG5 DK Storage at Stenlille (DK) and Lille Torup (DK), 
extending existing site Storage at Stenlille na - na na na - 1.712.000 
2.546.000 G018/96 
G036/98 
8.32 NG5 AT Storage at Puchkirchen (AT), extending existing 
site, including pipeline to the Penta West system near Andorf (AT) - 1,1 na na 2007 
(phase I) na - 2.912.000 G029/97 
8.34 NG5 AT Storage at Haidach (AT), new site, including 
pipeline to the European gas grid Storage at Haidach (stage I)  1,2 - 390 2007 na - 741.000 G047/99 
 
EN 84   EN 6.1   IE, UK Developing gas netw ork from Belfast towards the 
north-west region of Northern Ireland (UK) and, if appropriate, to the western coast of Ireland - 1,7 na 86 2004 na  - -  - 
6.1   IE, UK Developing gas netw ork from Belfast towards the 
north-west region of Northern Ireland (UK) and, if 
appropriate, to the western coast of Ireland Pipeline to the western coast 
of Ireland na na  383 2002 na  -  -  - 
6.7   EL High pressure branch to Thrace (EL) Extension of gas network to 
Komotini na  na 54 2000 na - 770.000 G006/95 
6.8   EL High pressure branch to Corint h (EL) - na na 23 2007 na - 770.000 G006/95 
7.1   IE, UK Additional gas in terconnection pipeline between 
Ireland and Scotland - na  na 292 2002 - - 150.000 G001/95 
7.2   IE, UK North-South interconnection, including Dublin-
Belfast pipeline Gormanstown, Dublin in 
Republic of Ireland to Antrim in Northern Ireland 1,46 156 108 2006 - - 250.000 
575.000 G033/98 
G050/99 
7.6   PT, ES Increasing transport capacity of gas pipelines 
supplying Portugal through South Spain and 
Galicia and Asturias through Portugal - na na na na na - - - 
8.26  ES Storage on the North-South axis of Spain (new 
sites) in Cantabria, Aragon, Castilla y Leon, 
Castilla - La Mancha and Andalucia Serrablo (Aragon) 1,1 - na na na - - - 
9.28   DE Increasing transport capacity of the TENP gas 
pipeline running from the Netherlands through Germany to Italy Pipeline extension and 
repowering of compression units na na 348 2005 na - -  - 
9.29   FR, CH Taisnieres (FR) - Oltingue (CH)  gas pipeline - na na  na na na -  -  - 
9.36   NO, UK Gas pipeline from Norway to United Kingdom Nyhamna (NO) - 
Sleipner(NO) - Easington 
(UK)  25 1200 2,3 2007 na - -  -  
Construction phase 
7.17 NG1 DE, NL, 
UK Interconnecting pipelines between United 
Kingdom, the Netherlands and Germany, linking 
the main sources and markets of North West 
Europe Eemstunnel Rysum-
Midwolda (part of North-
South project Rysum/Oude 
Statenzijl - Zelzate/‘s-Gravenvoeren, NL) Entry = 
31,8 
Exit = 
12,5 400 1156 2010 500 - 2.819.004 
 
1.587.056 G157/08 
(NL) 
G163/09 
(DE) 
7.17 NG1 DE, NL, 
UK Interconnecting pipelines between United 
Kingdom, the Netherlands and Germany, linking 
the main sources and markets of North West 
Europe LNG West: Connection LNG 
terminal GATE towards CS 
Wijngaarden 12 80 191 na na - - - 
7.17 NG1 DE, NL, 
UK Interconnecting pipelines between United 
Kingdom, the Netherlands and Germany, linking 
the main sources and markets of North West 
Europe Open Season 2012: Pipeline 
Ommen- Ravenstein towards 
Belgium border 20 180 550 2012 na - - - 
 
EN 85   EN 7.18 NG1 DE, PL Connections between north-east Germany (Berlin 
area) and north-west Poland (Szczecin area) with a branch from Schmö lln to Lubmin (DE, 
Greifswald area) - 3 160 260 2013 - - - - 
7.26 NG1 BE Zeebrugge (BE) - Eynatten (BE) capacity upgrade Opwijk – Raeren 10 170 345,5 2011 110 35 1.184.500 G137/07 
9.13 NG2 ES, DZ, 
FR Algeria - Spain submarine pipeline and pipelines 
for the connection to France MEDGAS gas pipeline 8 208 630- 800 2010 500 - 2.000.000  
2.000.000  G115/04 
G134/07 
8.22 NG5 FR Storage at Lussagnet (FR), extending existing site Aquifer type 2,4->3,5 - 4,5 2010-
2012 na - 1.500.000 G080/02 
8.26 NG5 ES Storage on the North-South axis of Spain (new 
sites) in Cantabria, Aragon, Castilla y Leon, Castilla - La Mancha and Andalucia Yela (Castilla-La-Mancha) 1 - na 2011 na - - - 
8.26 NG5 ES Storage on the North-South axis of Spain (new 
sites) in Cantabria, Aragon, Castilla y Leon, 
Castilla - La Mancha and Andalucia Marismas (Andalucia) 0,9 - na 2013 na - - - 
8.27 NG5 ES Storage on the Mediterranean axis of Spain (new 
sites) in Catalonia, Valencia and Murcia Castor (Valencia) 1,3 - na 2012 na - - - 
8.29 NG5 BE Storage at Loenhout (BE) , extending existing site - na na 125 2010-
2011 na - 3.391.000 G035/98 
8.34 NG5 AT Storage at Haidach (AT), new site, including 
pipeline to the European gas grid Storage at Haidach (stage II) 1,2 - 250 2011 na - - - 
8.35 NG5 IT Developing underg round gas storage facilities in 
Italy Cotignola - San Potito 0,9 - na 2012 na - - - 
8.36 NG5 PL Storage at Wierzchowice, extending existing side 
(PL) - 0,625 - 584 2011-
2012 Pending - - - 
8.37 NG5 PL Storage at Kosakowo (PL), developing 
underground storage - 0,25 - 190 2013 
(phase 1) Pending - - - 
7.13   EL Compression station on the main pipeline in 
Greece - na na 34 2011 na - 980.000 G034/98 
 
EN 86   EN Table A7: Cross-border projects in the electr icity sector finalised and under construction Ref. Annex 
III 2006 
Axis (2006) 
Countries 
involved Project specification Sub-section/ routing/ more 
specific title Addi-
tional 
capacity 
(MVA) Length 
(km) Esti- 
mated 
total cost 
(M€) (Indica-
tive) In 
operation 
date EIB loan 
(M€) EEPR 
max 
contri-
bution 
(M€) TEN-E 
grant(s) 
allocated 
(€) Application 
for TEN-E 
grant (ref.) 
Finalised 
2.2 EL1 BE, FR Avelin (FR) - Avelgem (BE) line - 1000-
1500 43 21,5 2005 na - 1.005.900 E191/04 
2.5 EL1 DE, FR Vigy (FR) - Uchtel fangen (DE) line - na na na 2002 na - 230.000 E085/98 
2.7 EL2 FR, IT Further increase of capacity through existing 
interconnection between France and Italy Phase shifter in Rondissone na na 23 2004 na - - - 
4.1 EL2 IT, CH New interconnection Italy - Switzerland  San Fiorano (IT) - Robbia 
(CH) line 1400 196 77 2005 na - 249.000 E135/01 
2.11 EL3 ES, PT Connections between northern Portugal and north-
western Spain Cartelle-Lindoso II na  na  na 2004 na - - - 
2.12 EL3 ES, PT Sines (PT) - Alqueva (PT) - Balboa (ES) line - na na 39 2004 na - 125.000 
538.500 E064/97 
E065/97 
2.9 EL3 ES, FR New trans-Pyrenean interconnection between 
France and Spain Hernani-Argia (upgrade) na na na 2002 na - - - 
2.9 EL3 FR, ES  New trans-Pyrenean interconnection between 
France and Spain Cantegrit-Mougerre (220kv)-
(Arkale) na na na 2002 na - -  - 
2.9 EL3 ES, FR New trans-Pyrenean interconnection between 
France and Spain Installation of a 225 kV 
phase displacement 
transformer at the Pragneres substation (FR) na 550 
(FR-ES) na 1998 na - 100.000 E068/97 
2.9 EL3 ES, FR New trans-Pyrenean interconnection between 
France and Spain Pirineo connection substation 
electricity line; Restructuring 
of the network around Baixas na na na 1997 na - 140.000 E027/95 
4.3 EL4 EL, 
FYROM Meliti* (EL) - Bitola (Former Yugoslav Republic 
Of Macedonia) line   *The project has substituted 
the initially scheduled OHL 
Amyntaio – Bitola na 18 5 (EL) 2007 na - 125.000 E059/96 
4.7 EL4 HR, BH Ernestinovo (Cro atia) substation and connecting 
lines Ernestinovo - Ugljevik na na 11 2003 na - - - 
4.7 EL4 HR, FRY Ernestinovo (Cro atia) substation and connecting 
lines Ernestinovo - Mladost na na 11 2003 na - - - 
4.8 EL4 EL, AL, 
BG, FYROM New connections between Greece and Albania, 
Bulgaria and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia OHL Stip – C. Mogila 
(FYROM – Bulgaria) 650 na 50 2009 na - - - 
 
EN 87   EN 4.9 EL4 EL, TR Philippi (GR) - Hamidabad (TR) line  - 2x1400 
1x1200 (EL) 220 70 2008 na  - 195.000 
350.000 E106/99 
E129/00 
2.23 EL7 SE, DK Reinforcement of the connections between 
Denmark and Sweden  - na na 35 2006 na - - - 
2.30 EL7 EE, FI Submarine cable to link Finland and Estonia 
(Estlink) Estlink 350 105 110 2006 na  - 670.000 E095/99 
4.14 EL7 FI, RU Southern Finland - Russi a link Kymi-St.Petersburg II na na 300 - 
1000 na na - 240.000 E055/96 
4.15 EL7 SE, NO New connections between North Sweden and North 
Norway Reinforcement of the 
existing connection and a 
new transformer was 
installed in Grundfos, Sweden na na na 2004 na - - -  
2.33 EL8 AT, CZ Dürnrohr (AT) - Slavetice (CZ) line   900 96 9 2008 - - - - 
4.12 EL9 ES, MA Submarine cable between South Spain and Morocco 
(strengthening of existing connection) i.a. Estrecho-Melloussa II na 31 69,2 2006 na - 637.500 
1.127.000 E003/95 
E131/01 
4.22 EL9 GR, IT New connections in  the Mediterranean Electricity 
Ring: France – Spain – Morocco – Algeria – 
Tunisia – Libya – Egypt – near-eastern Countries – Turkey – Greece - Italy Ipiros-Puglia na na na 2002 100 - - E191/04 
4.11   NL, NO Eemshaven (NL) - Feda (NO) li nk  NorNed cable na na 565 2007 na - 1.500.000 
4.215.000 
3.000.000 E052/96 
E088/98 
E198/05 
4.29   HU, RO Békéscsaba (HU) - Or adea (RO) now Békéscsaba (HU) - 
Nadab(RO) - Arad(HU) as 
due to problems with 
landowners a small part between Nadab and Oradea 
could not be constructed na na 18,5 2008 na - 435.000 
1.580.000 E203/05 
E237/07 
Construction phase 
2.1 EL1 BE, FR Moulaine (FR) - Aubange (BE) line - 400 15 11 (FR) 2010 4 - 503.450  E205/05 
2.7 EL2 FR, IT Further increase of capacity through existing 
interconnection between France and Italy - 600 200 102-114 2012 na - 588.000  E183/04 
2.8 EL2 FR, IT New interconnection between France and Ital y Piossasco (IT) - Cornier (FR) 600 100 (IT) na 2012 na - - - 
2.31 EL2 SI Installation of fl exible alternating current 
transmission systems linking Italy and Slovenia Phase Shift Transformer - 
PST, Diva ča Substation - 
400 kV, 2x600 MVA 2x600 - 52,8 2012 21,5 - 1.054.400  E268/09 
 
EN 88   EN 2.13 EL3 ES, PT Connection betwee n southern Portugal and south-
western Spain Portimão (PT) - Tavira (PT) 
- P. Gusman (ES) - Guillena (ES) line and Tavira facilities 
(400 kV South 
interconnection Guillena (ES) - Tavira (PT)) 1860 301 90,9 2011 na 50 - - 
2.14 EL3 ES, PT Valdigem (PT) - Douro Internacional (PT) - 
Aldeadavila (ES) line and 'Douro Internacional' facilities 400 kV Douro 
interconnection Aldeadávila (ES) - Lagoaça (PT) 3210 204 88 2010 na 50 1.807.650 E196/05 
4.8 EL4 EL, AL, 
BG, 
FYROM New connections between Greece and Albania, 
Bulgaria and the Former Yugoslav Republic of 
Macedonia Zlatitsa-Karlovo-Plovdiv na na 15 2010 na - - - 
2.15 EL7 FI, SE Connections north of the Gulf of Bothnia and 
Fennoscan submarine cable between Finland and 
Sweden Fennoscan subsea cable 
between Finland and Sweden 800 300 300 2011 na - 75.000  
75.000  
120.750  
475.000  E002/95 
E005/95 
E114/00 
E209/06 
3.1 EL7 DK Connections on the Danish east-west axis: 
connection between Denmark's western (UCTE) 
and eastern (NORDEL) networks Great Belt sea cable from 
Funen to Sealand 600 26+32 169 2010 na - - - 
4.13 EL7 SE, LT, 
LV Connections for the Baltic Electricity Ring: 
Germany - Poland - Russia - Estonia - Latvia - Lithuania - Sweden - Finland - Denmark - Belarus Interconnection Sweden-
Baltic States, and strengthening of the grid in 
Baltic states (Nordbalt) 700+600 440+380 750 2016 na 175 - - 
4.16 EL7 SE, NO New connections between Mid Sweden and Mid 
Norway - na na 66 2010 na - 54.700 E115/00 
4.22 EL9 FR, ES, 
MA, DZ, TN, LY, 
EG, TR, 
EL, IT New connections in the Mediterranean Electricity 
Ring: France – Spain – Morocco – Algeria – Tunisia – Libya – Egypt – near-eastern Countries – 
Turkey – Greece - Italy - na na 55 2009 na - - - 
4.31   HU, HR Pécs (HU) - Ernestinovo (HR) - 500 86,4 43,6 2010 na - 2.234.611 E246/08 
Partly in construction phase 
4.2 EL4 EL, BG Philippi (GR) - Maritsa 3 (Bulgaria) line - na na 10+30,3  2012-
2015 na - 450.000  
150.000  E060/96 
E079/98 
2.32 EL8 AT, HU New connections to link the UCTE and CENTREL 
systems Wien - Györ 1100 120 30 2011 na  20 -  - 
 
EN 89   EN Table A8: Cross-border projects in the gas  sector finalised and under construction Ref. Annex 
III 2006 
Axis (2006) 
Countries 
involved Project specification Sub-section/ routing/ more 
specific title Addi-
tional 
capacity 
(Bcm/y) Length 
(km) Esti- 
mated 
total cost 
(M€) (Indica-
tive) In 
operation 
date EIB loan 
(M€) EEPR 
max 
contri-
bution 
(M€) TEN-E 
grant(s) 
allocated 
(€) Application 
for TEN-E 
grant (ref.) 
Finalised 
7.17 NG1 DE, NL, 
UK Interconnecting pipelines between United 
Kingdom, the Netherlands and Germany, linking 
the main sources and markets of North West Europe GWWL pipe line 
(Grijpskerk-Workum-
Wieringermeer lijn) na 110 350 2007 na - 362.825 G108/04 
7.17 NG1 DE, NL, 
UK Interconnecting pipelines between United 
Kingdom, the Netherlands and Germany, linking the main sources and markets of North West 
Europe Bacton (UK) - Balgzand 
(NL) 8 230 500 2006 na - - - 
7.17 NG1 DE, NL, 
UK Interconnecting pipelines between United 
Kingdom, the Netherlands and Germany, linking the main sources and markets of North West 
Europe Ravenstein - Vinkel (NL-BE) na na na 2003 na - - - 
7.22 NG1 DK Connection between offshore facilities in the 
North Sea, or from Danish offshore to United Kingdom onshore facilities  - na na na 2004 na - - - 
9.19 NG1 DE, CZ, 
PL Increasing transport capacity of the STEGAL 
gas pipeline for transport of additional gas from 
the Czech-German border and from the Polish-
German border through Germany to other Member States  - na na 190 2006 na - - - 
7.4 NG2 FR, ES Lussagnet (FR) - Bilbao (ES) pipeline  - 0,5-3 na 25 2005 na - 911.350 G061/00 
9.34 NG2 DZ, TN, 
IT Algeria - Tunisia - Italy gas pipeline  TRANSMED II 6,5 160 200 2008 500 - - - 
9.6 NG2 DZ, ES, 
FR New gas pipelines from Algeria to Spain and 
France and related capacity increase of the internal networks in these countries Network in Andalucia na  na na 2002 na - - - 
9.7 NG2 DZ, MA, 
ES Increasing transport capacity of the Algeria - 
Morocco - Spain (up to Córdoba) pipeline   na na na 2004 na - - - 
9.22 NG3 EL, TR Greece-Italy interconnec tion pipeline Interconnector Turkey-
Greece-Italy (ITGI)
Branch Greece-Turkey 11 295 82,2 (EL) 2007 na - 4.330.000 G082/02 
8.10 NG4 EL LNG at Revithoussa (EL), extending existing 
terminal 1st extension 5,3 - 50 2007 na - 800.000 G074/01 
8.12 NG4 IT LNG offshore in the north Adriatic Sea (IT) Rovigo (Porto Levante 8 - 1000 2009 na - - - 
 
EN 90   EN offshore) 
8.17 NG4 BE LNG at Zeebrugge (BE, second phase of 
capacity extension) LNG terminal 
Zeebrugge/Dudzele 
extension, Including the 
doubling of the regasification capacity and a fourth tank 4,5 -> 9 - na 4/2008 na  - - - 
8.18 NG4 UK LNG at Isle of Grain, Kent (UK)  2nd phase of implemen tation 13,5 - 190 (total 
£ 1Bn) 2008 na - - - 
8.2 NG4 FR LNG at Fos-sur-mer (FR) Extension (Fos-Tonkin) 7 - 400 2007 na - - - 
8.3 NG4 ES LNG at Huelva (ES), extending existing 
terminal LNG Huelva II 11,8 - 72 2009 na - - - 
8.4 NG4 ES LNG at Cartagena (ES), extending existing 
terminal LNG terminal Cartagena I na - na 2002 na - - - 
8.4 NG4 ES LNG at Cartagena (ES), extending existing 
terminal LNG terminal Cartagena II 10,5 - 79 2008 na - - - 
8.5 NG4 ES LNG at Galicia (ES), new terminal Mugardos 3,6 - 416 2008 na  - - - 
8.6 NG4 ES LNG at Bilbao (ES), new terminal   7 - 280 2003 na - - - 
8.7 NG4 ES LNG in the Valencia region (E S), new terminal Sagunto 8-9 - 340 2009 225 - - - 
8.8 NG4 ES LNG in Barcelona (ES°, extending existing 
terminal  - na - 72 2005 na - - - 
8.9 NG4 PT LNG in Sines (PT), new terminal Gas sources= Algeria, 
Nigeria 5,5 - na 2004 na - 934.500 G049/99 
9.20 NG6 IT, LY Gas pipeline from Libyan res ources to Italy Greenstream (Mellitah (LY) - 
Gela (IT)) 8 520 1400 2004 na - - - 
9.20 NG6 IT, LY Gas pipeline from Libyan resources to Italy Extension of capacity 3 na na na na -  - - 
6.1   IE, UK Developing gas network from Belfast towards 
the north-west region of Northern Ireland (UK) 
and, if appropriate, to the western coast of Ireland  - 1,7 na 86 2004 na - - - 
6.1   IE, UK Developing gas network from Belfast towards 
the north-west region of Northern Ireland (UK) 
and, if appropriate, to the western coast of Ireland Pipeline to the western coast 
of Ireland  na na 383 2002 na - - - 
7.1   IE, UK Additional gas in terconnection pipeline between 
Ireland and Scotland  -  na na 292 2002 - - 150.000 G001/95 
7.2   IE, UK North-South interconnection, including Dublin-
Belfast pipeline Gormanstown, Dublin in 
Republic of Ireland to Antrim in Northern Ireland 1,46 156 108 2006 - - 250.000 
575.000 G033/98 
G050/99 
7.6   PT, ES Increasing transport capacity of gas pipelines 
supplying Portugal through South Spain and 
Galicia and Asturias through Portugal  - na na na na na - - - 
9.28   DE Increasing transport capacity of the TENP gas 
pipeline running from the Netherlands through 
Germany to Italy Pipeline extension and 
repowering of compression 
units na na 348 2005 na - - - 
9.29   FR, CH Taisnieres (FR) - Oltingue (C H) gas pipeline  - na na na na na - - - 
 
EN 91   EN 9.36   NO, UK Gas pipeline from Norway to United Kingdom Nyhamna (NO) – Sleipner 
(NO) - Easington (UK)  25 1200 2,3 2007 na - - - 
Construction phase 
7.17 NG1 DE, NL, 
UK Interconnecting pipelines between United 
Kingdom, the Netherlands and Germany, linking the main sources and markets of North West 
Europe Eemstunnel Rysum-
Midwolda (part of North-South project Rysum/Oude 
Statenzijl - Zelzate/‘s-
Gravenvoeren, NL) Entry = 
31,8 Exit = 
12,5 400 1156 2010 500 - 2.819.004 
 1.587.056 G157/08 
(NL) G163/09 
(DE) 
7.18 NG1 DE, PL Connections between north-east Germany 
(Berlin area) and north-west Poland (Szczecin 
area) with a branch from Schmölln to Lubmin 
(DE, Greifswald area)  - 3 160 260 2013 0 - - - 
9.3 NG1 RU, DE North European gas pipeline: Russia, Baltic Sea, 
Germany Onshore section in Russia na 917 na na na - - - 
9.13 NG2 ES, DZ, 
FR Algeria - Spain submarine pipeline and pipelines 
for the connection to France MEDGAS gas pipeline 8 208 630-800 2010 500 - 2.000.000  
2.000.000 G115/04 
G134/07 
8.13 NG4 IT LNG on the south Adriatic coast (IT) Brindisi 7,6+ 
16 - 500 2010 na - - - 
8.15 NG4 IT LNG on the Tyrrhenian coast (IT) LNG terminal at Livorno 
(Toscana offshore) 3,75 - 250 2010 na - - - 
8.18 NG4 UK LNG at Isle of Grain, Kent (UK)  3rd phase of implemen tation 20,5 - 190 (total 
£ 1Bn) 2010  na -  - - 
 
 
EN 92   EN Table A9: State of implementation of LNG projects as listed in the Annex III of the TEN-E Guidelines Ref. Annex 
III 2006 
Axis (2006) 
Countries in-
volved Project specification Sub-section/ routing/ more 
specific title Addi-
tional 
capacity 
(MVA; 
Bcm/y) Length 
(km) Esti- 
mated 
total cost 
(M€) (Indica-
tive) In 
operation 
date EIB loan 
(M€) EEPR 
max 
contri-
bution 
(M€) TEN-E 
grant(s) 
allocated 
(€) Application 
for TEN-E 
grant (ref.) 
Finalised 
8.10 NG4 EL LNG at Revithoussa (EL), extending existing 
terminal 1st extension 5,8 - 50 2007 na  - 800.000 G074/01 
8.12 NG4 IT LNG offshore in the north Adriatic Sea (IT) Rovigo (Porto Levante 
offshore) 8 - 1000 2009 na - - -  
8.17 NG4 BE LNG at Zeebrugge (BE, second phase of capacity 
extension) LNG terminal 
Zeebrugge/Dudzele 
extension, Including the 
doubling of the regasification capacity and a fourth tank 4,5 -> 9 - na 2008 na - - - 
8.18 NG4 UK LNG at Isle of Grain, Kent (UK)  2nd phase of implemen tation 13,5 - 190 (total 
investment 
for 3 
phases is € 1,1 Bn) 2005 na - - - 
8.2 NG4 FR LNG at Fos-sur-mer (FR) Extension (Fos-Tonkin) 7 - 400 2007 na - - - 
8.3 NG4 ES LNG at Huelva (ES), extending existi ng terminal LNG Huelva II 11,8 - 72 2009 na - - - 
8.4 NG4 ES LNG at Cartagena (ES), extending existing 
terminal LNG terminal Cartagena I na - na 2002 na - - - 
8.4 NG4 ES LNG at Cartagena (ES), extending existing 
terminal LNG terminal Cartagena II 11,8 - 79 2008 na  - - - 
8.5 NG4 ES LNG at Galicia (ES), new terminal Mugardos 3,6 - 416 2007 na  - - - 
8.6 NG4 ES LNG at Bilbao (ES), new terminal   7 - 280 2003 na - - - 
8.7 NG4 ES LNG in the Valencia region (E S), new terminal Sagunto 8-9 - 340 2009 225 - - - 
8.8 NG4 ES LNG in Barcelona (ES), extending existing 
terminal   17 - 72 2009 na  - - - 
8.9 NG4 PT LNG in Sines (PT), new terminal  5,5 - na 2004 na - 934.500 G049/99 
 
EN 93   EN Construction phase 
8.13 NG4 IT LNG on the south Adriatic coast (IT) Brindisi 8 (phase 
1) 
16 
(phase 2) - 500 2010 na  - - - 
8.15 NG4 IT LNG on the Tyrrhenian coast (IT) LNG terminal at Livorno 
(Toscana offshore) 3,75 - 250 2010 na - - - 
8.18 NG4 UK LNG at Isle of Grain, Kent (UK) 3r d phase of implementation 20,5 - na 2010 na  - - - 
8.2 NG4 FR LNG at Fos-sur-mer (FR) LNG Fos-Cavaou 8,25 - 600 2010 na  - - - 
Authorisation phase 
- NG4 PL LNG terminal in Poland Swinoujscie 5 - 869 2014 - 55 - - 
6.2 NG4 ES LNG terminal in Sa nta Cruz de Tenerife, Canary 
Island (ES) Tenerife (Arico-Granadilla) 1, 3 - na 2013 na - 800.000  G109/04 
6.3 NG4 ES LNG in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ES) Gran Canaria (Arinaga) 1,3 - 152 2013 na - - - 
8.11 NG4 IT LNG on the north Adriatic coast (IT) Trieste zaule 8 - 600 2013 na - - -  
8.13 NG4 IT LNG offshore in the north Adria tic Sea (IT) Falconara Marritima (Marche 
region) 4 19,5 158 03/2012 na - 618.657  G164/09 
8.14 NG4 IT LNG on the Ionian Coast (IT) Priolo (Siracusa) (Sicily 
Region) 8+4 2,7 700-800+ 
200 12/2015 na - 500.000  G147/08 
8.14 NG4 IT LNG on the Ionian Coast (IT) Taranto 8 - 600 na na - - - 
8.14 NG4 IT LNG on the Ionian Coast (IT) Rada  di Augusta, Siracusa 8 - na na na - - - 
8.15 NG4 IT LNG on the Tyrrhenian coast (IT) Gioia Tauro / San Ferdinando 
Rosarno (Calabria) (LNG 
Medgas) 12 - 924 12/2014 na - 1.610.000  G143/07 
8.15 NG4 IT LNG on the Tyrrhenian coast (IT) LNG term inal at Rosignano 8 - 650 2015 na - 1.372.000  G076/02 
8.16 NG4 IT LNG on the Ligurian Coast (IT) Panigaglia LNG terminal 
(Portovenere) 4,5   na 2014 na - - - 
8.4 NG4 ES LNG at Cartagena (ES), extending existing 
terminal LNG terminal Cartagena III, 
extending existing terminal 14,5 - 60 na na - - - 
8.6 NG4 ES LNG at Bilbao (ES), new terminal Extension (2 additional 
tanks) 12,3 - na 2011 na - - - 
Study phase 
6.11 NG4 CY LNG in the island of Cyprus, Vasilikos Energy 
Center   0,7-1,5 
(gradual 
increase 
until 2035) - 670 2014 na - - - 
 
EN 94   EN 6.13 NG4 EL LNG in the island of Crete (EL)   - - - 2016 na - 970.000  G017/96 
6.4 NG4 PT LNG in Madeira (PT)   na - 80 2014 - - - - 
8.1 NG4 FR LNG at Le Verdon-sur-mer (FR, new terminal) 
and pipeline to Lussagnet (FR) storage   na - 400 2013 na - - - 
8.10 NG4 EL LNG at Revithoussa (EL), extending existing 
terminal 2nd extension (3rd tank - 
current capacity 5,3 Bcm/y since 2000) na - na na na - - - 
8.11 NG4 IT LNG offshore in the north Adriatic Sea (IT) Trieste offshore 8 - 580 na na - - - 
8.17 NG4 BE LNG at Zeebrugge (BE, second phase of capacity 
extension) Current capacity = 9 Bcm/y na - 1000 12/2016 na - 1.610.350  G160/09 
8.2 NG4 FR LNG at Fos-sur-Mer (FR) Fos Foster LNG Terminal 6-9 - na 2013 na - - - 
 
EN 95   EN Figure A1: Progress of electricity projects  of European interest – EL1, EL5 and EL6 
 
 
EN 96   EN Figure A2: Progress of electricity projec ts of European interest – EL3 and EL9 

 
EN 97   EN Figure A3: Progress of electricity projects of European interest – EL2, EL4 and EL8 
(partly) 

 
EN 98   EN Figure A4: Progress of electricity projects of European interest – EL7 and EL8 
(partly) 

 
EN 99   EN Figure A5: Progress of gas project s of European interest – NG1 

 
EN 100   EN Figure A6: Progress of gas projects of  European interest – NG2 and NG6 

 
EN 101   EN Figure A7: Progress of gas projects  of European interest – NG3