Opinion of the Committee of the Regions on 'the Proposal for a European Parliament and Council decision amending Decision No. 1254/96/EC laying down a series of guidelines for trans-European energy networks'
Date: 1999-09-15
Institutions: European Committee of the Regions
Subjects: electrical energy, energy grid, management of resources, natural gas, security of supply, trans-European network

C 374/30

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

23.12.1999

Opinion of the Committee of the Regions on ‘the Proposal for a European Parliament and Council
decision amending Decision No. 1254/96/EC laying down a series of guidelines for trans-European
energy networks’

(1999/C 374/07)

THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS,

having regard to the Proposal for a European Parliament and Council decision amending Decision
No. 1254/96/EC laying down a series of guidelines for trans-European energy networks [COM(1998)
542 final — 98/0284 (COD)] (1);

having regard to the decision taken by the Council of 23 October 1998, under Article 129d and the first
paragraph of Article 198c of the Treaty establishing the European Community, to consult the Committee
of the Regions on the matter;

having regard to the decision of its Bureau of 15 July 1998 to direct Commission 3 (Trans-European
Networks, Transport and Information Society) to draw up the relevant opinion;

having regard to the draft opinion (CdR 59/99 rev. 1) adopted by Commission 3 on 15 April 1999 (CdR
59/99 rev. 1) [rapporteur: Mr Koukoulo´ poulos (GR-PPE)],

unanimously adopted the following opinion at its 30th plenary session on 15 and 16 September 1999
(meeting of 15 September).

1.

Introduction

On 5 June 1996 the European Parliament and the
1.1.
Council adopted Decision No 1254/96/EC laying down a
series of guidelines for trans-European energy networks. The
Annex to this Decision contains an indicative list of projects
of common interest identified in the energy sector.

1.2.
The indicative list of projects of common interest was
updated by Decision No 1047/97/EC adopted by the European
Parliament and the Council on 29 May 1997. The updating
became necessary because of the accession of the three new
Member States, the ever faster expansion of interconnected
networks on the scale of the European continent and the
particularly rapid development of the natural gas market. The
indicative list currently contains 74 projects of common
interest.

1.3.
The European Commission proposes updating the
indicative list of projects of common interest annexed to
by Decision
as
Decision No 1254/96/EC,
No 1047/97/EC, for the following reasons:

amended

— the rapid development of the market, especially the natural
gas market, and the need for network infrastructure to
serve it (diversification of supply sources, for example, and
increased storage);

— to pursue the setting-up of interconnected energy networks

on the scale of the European continent.

1.4.

In practical terms, this means:

— in some cases, altering the description of projects of

common interest already on the list;

— adding to the list new projects which have reached an

advanced state of preparation.

2. General comments

2.1.
The Committee of the Regions believes that laying
down and implementing the trans-European energy networks
is important for the proper functioning of the internal market,
and for improving cohesion with frontier and remote regions
of the EU. Indeed, it has already expressed its views on the
trans-European energy networks
in two previous opin-
ions (2) (3).

2.2.
The fact that measures are being taken on trans-
European networks in the sphere of energy is particularly
significant, especially as regards measures relating to practical
investment planning. More specifically, there is a need to step
up Community involvement in the funding of networks that
deliver energy to frontier or remote regions of the Union.

The funding of projects to connect remote regions,
2.3.
especially isolated regions such as islands,
to the trans-
European energy networks also helps to improve the stability
of energy supplies to these regions. Not only is stable energy
supply a common objective of the European Union, but it
contributes to these regions’ economic and social development
and ultimately reinforces the principle of cohesion.

(1) OJ C 320, 17.10.1998, p. 12.

(2) CdR 46/94 fin — OJ C 217, 6.8.1994, p. 26.
(3) CdR 367/96 fin — OJ C 116, 14.4.1997, p. 96.

23.12.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 374/31

2.4.
The views of local and regional authorities have not
been taken into account in the process of planning the
trans-European energy networks. This absence of dialogue is
likely to substantially delay development of the networks. The
COR recommends that the Commission take into account the
views of local and regional authorities in its measures, which
should establish the practical framework for implementing the
trans-European energy networks.

2.5.
Local and regional authorities will be more likely to
accept the trans-European energy networks if their environ-
mental impact is properly assessed and the required specifi-
cations are met. The COR suggests that the environmental
impact of the trans-European energy networks be assessed and
that basic technical specifications be laid down to protect the
environment during the planning and implementing of the
networks. Promoting the market penetration of alternative
products on the energy market
is just as important as
establishing specifications.

2.6.
The COR has already asked the Commission to pro-
mote access for energy producers at local and regional level to
electricity and natural gas networks at national and EU level.
To ensure proper functioning of the internal market and
effective use of energy, this criterion must be reflected in EU
decisions affecting the linking up of all trans-European energy
networks.

3. Proposals

Two additional projects are proposed:

3.2.
In Annex II under the heading ‘Electricity Networks’
we would add the following: ‘Greece: connection of the islands
to the mainland and to each other.’

4. Conclusions

4.1.
The COR endorses the Commission’s proposal with
regard to the introduction of guidelines on trans-European
energy networks and the adjustment of decisions taken in
order to meet current needs.

4.2.
The COR particularly welcomes the introduction of
practical funding systems for connecting pan-European energy
networks, especially in remote and frontier regions of the EU.

4.3.
The COR for its part is prepared to work together with
the Commission and with local and regional authorities to
ensure that decisions taken are appropriate to the planning
process on this issue. Environmental impact analysis, technical
requirements to protect the environment and effective dialogue
with local and regional authorities will facilitate implemen-
tation of the networks in a practical way.

Energy producers at local and regional level must have

4.4.
access to the pan-European energy networks.

4.5.
The COR calls for the proposal for a Council Directive
to introduce rational planning techniques in the electricity and
natural gas distribution sectors (1) to also be applied to projects
relating to pan-European energy networks.

3.1.
In Annex I under the heading ‘Electricity Networks’ we
would add the following: ‘Spain: strengthening and develop-
ment of internal connections.’

(1) COM(95) 369 final — OJ C 1, 4.1.1996, p. 6.

Brussels, 15 September 1999.

The President

of the Committee of the Regions

Manfred DAMMEYER