Report from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Cocial Committee and the Committee of the Regions on the implementation of the guidelines for trans-european energy networks in the period 2002-2004 Pursuant to Article 11 of Decision 1229/2003/EC {SEC(2006) 1059}
Date: 2006-08-07
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: electrical energy, energy grid, energy supply, management of resources, natural gas, security of supply, trans-European network

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 

Brussels, 7.8.2006 
COM(2006) 443 final 

REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN 
PARLIAMENT, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND 
THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS 

ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE  
GUIDELINES FOR TRANS-EUROPEAN ENERGY NETWORKS  
IN THE PERIOD 2002 –2004 

Pursuant to Article 11 of Decision 1229/2003/EC 

{SEC(2006) 1059} 

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This  report  is  written  in  accordance  with  Article  11  of  Decision  No  1229/2003/EC  of  the 
European Parliament and of the Council of 26 June 2003 laying down a series of guidelines 
for trans-European energy networks and repealing Decision No 1254/96/EC1 . 

This implementation report presents the synopsis of the framework underlying the policy of 
Trans-European  Energy  Networks  (TEN-E)  and  the  scope  and  objectives  of  the  guidelines 
together with a summary of the progress in implementation achieved during the period 2002 
to 2004. It is based on information received from the transmission system operators and from 
Member States’ experts. 

The annex to this report presents the details concerning the implementation of electricity and 
gas connections during the period 2002 to 2004. 

1. Framework of the TEN-E Policy 

The security of energy supply and the functioning of the internal energy market are key policy 
goals.  This  is  mirrored  in  the  Trans-European  Energy  (TEN-E)  guidelines  aiming  at  the 
installation of an electricity and gas network of truly European character by linking better the 
fragmented national networks.  

The  European  Union  policy  concerning  Trans-European  Networks  is  based  on  three 
cornerstones: the legal basis for TENs, Articles 154-156 of the EC Treaty, introduced by the 
Treaty  on  European  Union,  the  regulation  on  TEN  financial  support2  and  the  guidelines 
Decision  for  Energy  TEN’s,  which  identifies  axes  for  priority  projects  and  projects  of 
common interest.  

The  purpose  of  the  Community  action,  set  by  the  Treaty,  is  to  promote  the  interconnection 
and  interoperability  of  national  networks  as  well  as  access  to  such  networks  within  the 
framework of open and competitive energy markets. 

The guidelines present the purpose, scope and objectives of Community action, together with 
project lists in the annexes. The guidelines specify the eligibility criteria, according to which 
projects  can  obtain  financial  support.  As  a  result,  the  financial  regulation  can  support  a 
number of well defined projects of common interest.  

2. TEN-E guidelines 

The  European  Community  guidelines  for  TEN-Energy  were  adopted  in  1996,  comprising  a 
list of projects of common interest. The list of projects has been revised twice, in 1997 and in 
1999. The recent revision of the guidelines came into force in June 2003. It identifies axes for 
priority projects and projects of common interest, the implementation of which is analysed in 
this report. 

1 
2 

OJ L 176, 15.7.2003, p. 11. 
OJ  L  228,  23.9.1995,  p.  1,  Council  Regulation  (EC)  N°  2236/95  of  18  September  1995  laying  down 
general rules for the granting of Community financial aid in the field of Trans-European Networks, as 
last amended by Regulation (CE) N° 1159/05 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 July 
2005 (OJ L 191, 22.7.2005, p. 16.) 

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The  guidelines  for  the  development  of  the  trans-European  energy  networks  aim  to  establish 
the  effective  operation  of  the  internal  energy  market,  developing  cohesion  in  the  Union, 
reinforcing security of supply and protecting the environment. Linking national networks and 
constructing additional interconnections between Member States is an element of integration, 
introducing a European energy transmission network. Of key importance is the completion of 
a  selection  of  projects  on  the  priority  axes  which  are  of  cross-border  nature  or  which  have 
significant impact on cross-border transmission capacity. 

The axes for priority projects take account of the connections that are required for the efficient 
operation  of  the  internal  market  and  for  security  of  energy  supply.  The  challenges  for 
electricity and gas networks are different: 

i)  The  existing  capacities  of  the  electrical  interconnections  are  largely  insufficient  for  the 
further  increase  of  exchange  and  trade.  Consequently,  in  March  2002  at  the  Barcelona 
European  Council,  the  heads  of  state  and  government  agreed  to  set  a  target  for  Member 
States, according to which the level of electricity interconnections should be equivalent to at 
least 10% of their installed production capacity by 2005. 

ii) Concerning natural gas, there will be a strongly increasing dependence on gas imports in 
the next 20-30 years. Within the TEN-E policy, a realistic target was to set up an additional 
gas import capacity of 70 Billion Cubic Meter by 2013, from sources in Russia, North Africa, 
the Caspian Sea region and the Middle East. The main suppliers of natural gas at present are 
Norway,  Russia  and  North  Africa.  In  the  future,  the  Caspian  Sea,  the  Middle  East  and  the 
Gulf  region  will  become  additional  important  suppliers.  These  sources  define  the  natural 
transit routes.  

The  axes  for  priority  projects  that  follow  from  these  challenges  are  described  in  the  annex, 
section 1. 

2.1 Identification and Prioritisation of the TEN-Energy Projects  

Community action for the development of energy networks concerns the main transportation/ 
transmission networks for electricity and natural gas, excluding distribution networks. 

A  project  may  be  of  common  interest  if  it  corresponds  to  the  objectives  and  priorities 
specified  in  the  guidelines  and  displays  potential  economic  viability.  The  inclusion  of  a 
project in the list of projects of common interest is without prejudice to the assessment of its 
environmental impact. 

Whereas  originally  ten  projects,  the  so-called  “Essen  Projects”  adopted  by  the  Essen 
European Council in December 1994, were considered necessary, this list was increased very 
quickly through a bottom-up approach to about 200 projects of common interest in 1999. In 
the revision adopted in 2003, more than 220 projects were decided upon. 

In  the  recent  revision,  a  hierarchy  in  the  projects  was  introduced.  In  addition  to  improving 
connections in general, specific links need to be developed and given high priority. This led to 
a  shift  in  strategy,  namely  to  a  top-down  strategy  tackling  the  highest  priorities.  As  a 
consequence, the guidelines Decision for energy that was adopted in June 2003 identifies, in 
addition to the projects of common interest, axes for priority projects. In this way, the TEN-E 
programme responds to the increased dependence on gas imports, which implies a significant 

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in  natural  gas 

increase 
increased  electricity 
interconnection capacity between the Member States, which would facilitate a more reliable 
and efficient grid operation and avoid black-outs.  

transport  capacity,  and 

the  need  for 

Figures 1) and 2) display the axes for priority projects. The need to connect separate markets 
in the electricity sector is evident as well as the need for additional gas supply routes. 

2.2 Implications from the TEN-E guidelines 

The  report  and  its  annex  presents  the  progress  made  in  the  implementation  of  energy 
transmission  infrastructure  in  accordance  with  the  objectives  of  the  European  Union  policy 
concerning  Trans-European  Energy  networks  (TEN-E).  An  essential  aspect  is  that  the 
typology of projects was modified by the revised guidelines adopted by the Council and the 
European Parliament in June 2003. Due to the long time scales needed for authorisation and 
construction,  typically  5  to  10  years,  it  was  considered  necessary  also  to  include  the  period 
1996  to  2000  in  the  analysis.  The  connection  between  the  new  and  old  classification  was 
made.  Therefore,  the  implementation  report  is  based  on  the  typology  of  projects  that  was 
introduced in the guidelines Decision adopted in June 2003. 

Further, the annex shows relevant information concerning the projects listed in the guidelines 
already  in  force  as  well  as  the  contracts  awarded  under  the  TEN-E  budget  line.  The  data 
contained  in  the  related  tables  was  validated  by  Member  States’  experts  designated  by  the 
TEN-E committee, in the course of 2005. 

3. Progress in Implementation 

Since 1996, the gas and electricity sectors have displayed a different pattern concerning the 
implementation of projects. Whilst the security of gas supply has been managed well to-date, 
the  lack  of  both  electricity  generation  capacity  and  interconnection  adequacy  has  led  to 
serious congestion of specific lines, even to a series of electricity black-outs in the year 2003. 

Of  the  list  of  ‘Essen  Projects’  defined  in  1994,  the  five  specific  gas  projects  went  into 
operation soon afterwards. These were the main gas pipelines Algeria - Morocco - Spain and 
Russia - Belarus - Poland - E.U. and the new gas networks in Greece, Portugal and the south 
and west of Spain. 

Of  the  five  specific  electricity  projects,  two  projects  became  operational,  the  connection 
between  the  north  of  Portugal  and  Spain  and  the  Italy  -  Greece  interconnection.  The  three 
other projects have not been able to overcome the difficulties of administrative authorisations 
(for the France - Italy and France – Spain projects) or have lacked a construction decision (for 
the connection between the eastern and western parts of Denmark). This trend has continued 
for the projects put into operation during the period 1996-2001, which included 18 projects in 
the gas sector and 6 in the electricity sector. 

3.1 Finalised Projects 

In Figures 3) and 4) (with details given in Table 1 and Table 2 in the annex) the projects that 
went  into  operation  after  2001  are  displayed;  they  comprise  45  electricity  projects,  a 
significant number in Spain, Portugal and south-east Europe, and 16 gas projects. Fourteen of 
these projects were supported by contracts under the TEN-E budget. 

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The  corresponding  cross-border  projects  (and  those  with  high  impact  on  cross-border 
transmission) that are priority projects include electricity connections on the axes EL.1, EL.2, 
EL.3,  EL.4,  EL.6  and  EL.7  and  further,  gas  connections  on  the  axes  NG.2  and  NG.4,  as 
indicated in the figures 3) and 4). 

3.2 Projects under Construction 

In Figures 3) and 4) (with details given in Table 2 and Table 3 in the annex) the projects are 
displayed which are currently under construction. This list comprises 14 electricity projects, a 
significant  number  in  Spain  and  Portugal,  and  11  gas  projects.  Nine  of  these  projects  were 
supported by contracts under the TEN-E budget. 

The  corresponding  cross-border  projects  (including  one  with  high  impact  on  cross-border 
transmission) that are priority projects include electricity connections on the axes EL.3, EL.4, 
EL.6 and EL.7 and further, gas connections on the axis NG.3 and NG.4, as indicated in the 
figures 3) and 4).  

3.2b Impact of additional cross-border connections 

The  assessment  of  the  impact  of  the  finalised  cross-border  connections  and  those  under 
construction  is  based  on  the  capacity  increase  listed  in  tables  2  and  4  in  the  annex.  For 
electricity connections, it is measured in ‘net additional capacity’ which is related to the ‘net 
transfer capacity’ of the country under consideration.  

For Belgium, the net capacity increase of 900 MVA by the additional line Avelin-Avelgem to 
France corresponds to 16% of the actual net transfer capacity. For Italy, the increase provided 
by the phase shifter in Rondissone and the completed connection to Switzerland yields 22% 
of the net transfer capacity. The two lines connecting to Ernestinovo in Croatia correspond to 
38% of the net transfer capacity. The two additional lines connecting Portugal with Spain can 
carry a major part of the net transfer from and to Spain. This implies that, in the case of a loss 
of one line, the second one still has sufficient capacity for essential power transmission. For 
Portugal, security of supply is, therefore, strongly increased.  

These  additional  lines  increase  the  electricity  exchange  significantly.  In  particular,  Portugal 
now  exceeds  the  10%  interconnection  capacity  target.  However,  other  countries,  including 
Spain, Italy, Greece, Ireland and United Kingdom, are still below this target. This articulates 
the  need  to  strengthen  security  of  supply  in  the  Community  by  tackling  congestion  in  the 
electricity networks and to respond to the actual transmission needs of the market. Therefore, 
additional cross-border electricity interconnections along the priority axes are still necessary. 

For  gas  connections,  the  capacity  increase  is  measured  in  billion  cubic  metres  per  year 
(Bcm/a).  The  Table  2  and  4  reveal  that  the  new  gas  pipelines  from  Libya  to  Italy,  from 
Algeria to Spain and from North Sea fields to the UK increase the import volume by up to 20 
Bcm/a. The liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals in operation or under construction increase 
the import volume by further 50 Bcm/a. 

These  figures  constitute  a  significant  part  of  the  additional  imports  to  the  EU  of  more  than 
200  Bcm/a  that  will  be  needed  from  2020  onwards,  but  new  gas  pipelines  will  still  be 
necessary for securing and diversifying additional gas import capacity.  

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3.3 Authorisation phase 

The authorisation phase of the project implementation covers a wide range of issues, implying 
a rather lengthy list of tasks before the authorisation phase is completed. The list of projects in 
the authorisation phase (with details given in the annex) comprises 80 projects, 61 electricity 
and  19  gas  transmission  projects.  Twenty-nine  of  these  projects  were  supported  under  the 
TEN-E budget.  

The  large  number  of  these  projects  indicates  that  streamlining  authorisation  procedures  is 
essential  for  acceleration  of  implementation,  in  particular  for  cross-border  projects  of  high 
European interest.  

The  cable  link  between  Estonia  and  Finland  (ESTLINK)  constitutes  the  first  and  so  far  the 
only  electricity  connection  of  the  Baltic  states  with  other  Member  States  of  the  European 
Union.  Consequently, 
this  connection  was  high.  The 
implementation took in total 7 years, of which 3 years were needed for the authorisation phase 
and only two years for the construction. 

the  motivation 

to  complete 

The development plan for the connection between Italy and Switzerland, S. Fiorano-Robbia, 
was  started  in  1992.  In  2001,  the  studies  on  technical  and  environmental  feasibility  were 
carried  out.  Once  the  feasibility  and  preliminary  design  were  achieved,  a  long  and  painful 
authorisation  process  started.  It  is  worth  mentioning  that  the  approval  of  the  project  was 
obtained thanks  to a  series  of  compensation measures and environmental impact  mitigation, 
such as the dismantling of existing overhead lines in the area affected by this new project. The 
new line was finally completed at the end of 2004 (after 12 years) and its operation began on 
20 January 2005. 

These  examples  confirm  that,  for  electricity  lines,  the  total  duration  for  a  project  to  be 
completed is 5 years when there is no obstacle or opposition. Even without major obstacles, 
the reality is that in the most recent cases, the delay between the first planning and its entry 
into  operation  is  usually  about  10  years.  When  there  are  real  obstacles  and  opposition, 
projects  are  not  reaching  the  construction  phase  after  12  to  20  years  (Bescano  (ES)-Baixas 
(FR) is an example and still not agreed). In some cases, they never take off after 10 or more 
years of discussions, as is the case for the line Lienz (AT) – Cordignano (IT). 

There are major differences in the public perception of the risks and impacts associated with 
high-voltage  overhead  lines  compared  to  gas  pipelines,  which  face  typically  less  delays. 
Recently, objections to the construction of LNG terminals were raised, both on the local and 
regional  level.  In  the  case  of  the  terminal  at  Rosignano  (IT)  there  was,  in  spite  of  the 
agreement at national level, significant opposition to the project by the local municipality of 
Rosignano, which wanted certain parts of the plant to be constructed at another location in its 
territory  further  inland.  After  three  years  of  additional  environmental  impact  assessment,  a 
solution appears feasible and construction could start soon. 

3.4 Progress during the period 2002-2004 

Concerning the gas network, an important link between France and Spain and new liquefied 
natural  gas  (LNG)  terminals  in  Carthagena,  Bilbao  and  Barcelona,  Spain,  have  come  into 
operation.  Furthermore,  a  number  of  LNG  terminals  are  under  construction  in  Italy,  Spain, 
Greece  and  the  UK.  In  addition,  a  new  pipeline  from  Lybia  to  Italy  (Sicily)  has  come  into 
operation.  

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Major projects in the authorisation phase include the pipeline from the Caspian Sea through 
Turkey  to  Austria,  the  Greece  –  Italy  interconnector  and  the  interconnector  Denmark  – 
Germany – Sweden, as well as a significant number of LNG terminals in Italy and Spain and 
an underground storage in Spain. 

Concerning  the  electricity  network,  the  existing  link  between  France  and  Italy  has  been 
increased  in  capacity,  a  missing  link  between  France  and  Belgium  and  a  new  line  between 
Italy  and  Switzerland  have  come  into  operation,  as  well  as  additional  connections  between 
Spain and Portugal, in south-east Europe, between Sweden and Norway, Finland and Russia, 
inside  Ireland  and  in  Denmark.  Furthermore,  an  under-sea  connection  between  Finland  and 
Estonia,  a  new  interconnection  between  Bulgaria  and  the  former  Yugoslav  Republic  of 
Macedonia, lines between Spain and Portugal and lines in Ireland are under construction.  

Major projects in the authorisation process include the connections between France and Spain, 
the  Netherlands  and  the  United  Kingdom,  in  south-east  Europe,  including  links  between 
Greece  and  Bulgaria/  the  former  Yugoslav  Republic  of  Macedonia/  Turkey,  between 
Germany and Poland, Germany and Austria, Austria and Hungary and Austria and the Czech 
Republic. 

The implementation of projects on priority axes during the period 2002-2004 is discussed in 
detail in the annex. 

In  addition,  the  implementation  of  projects  in  isolated  regions  was  effectively  supported  by 
grants under the TEN-E budget line (with details given in the annex). 

3.5 Community funding 

Under the TEN-E budget line, from 1995 to 2004, support of a total amount of 174 million 
EUR was awarded. This budget has mainly been spent on the co-financing of studies.  

It  is  worthwhile  to  look  at  the  support  granted  from  the  priority  axis  point  of  view. 
Concerning the amount spent for priority projects in the period 2001-2004, about 64 % of the 
available budget was awarded to these projects. The larger part of this amount was spent on 
the gas network, namely 62.8 %, and the smaller part of 37.2% was spent on the electricity 
network. 

These  figures  were  confirmed  under  the  2004  call  for  proposals,  which  was  based  on  the 
guidelines  adopted  in  June  2003,  where  the  priority  projects  selected  for  funding  received 
close to 64% of the total budget. The gas networks received 65% of the budget, which was 
spent  on  priority  projects.  These  figures  show  that  the  priorities  set  previously  are  in 
accordance with the priority axes defined in the 2003 decision. 

This shows clearly that the choice of the priority axes adopted in 2003 reflects the required 
improvement  of  energy  infrastructure  at  European  level.  Secondly,  it  reveals  that  essential 
political and financial support can be focussed on the undertaking of priority projects.  

3.6 Pivotal role of the TEN-E budget 

The  size  of  the  annual  TEN-E  budget  is  very  modest  in  view  of  the  required  investments, 
namely about 0.2-0.5 % (Table 1 and Table 3 in the annex relating the TEN-E support given 
to  the  total  costs).  Nevertheless,  the  support  given  for  studies  can  be  essential  for  project 
planning in isolated or island regions. The related feasibility and engineering-type studies are 

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essential  for  these  projects  to  start  and  can  shorten  the  time-frame  of  the  construction 
decision. In addition, the support for novel technologies for electricity transmission, such as 
putting lines underground or joint use of rail and road tunnels, provides a strong stimulus for 
such projects. Financial support for the engineering phase also accelerates the project and can 
trigger the construction decision. Cross-border projects received significant support under the 
TEN-E budget line, as detailed in the annex. In a few, well justified cases, it was possible to 
grant support for the construction phase. In these cases, the high profile support through the 
TEN-E  budget  is  the  essential  element,  not  the  size  of  the  financial  intervention.  When  the 
missing link has only a short length and, consequently, the total costs of the project are low, 
the TEN-E contribution can reach the order of 10%, otherwise it is smaller.  

Specific TEN-E support for novel technologies: 

Cable technology: 

Support was granted to a number of sub-sea cable projects, where The Netherlands / Norway 
interconnector  will  be  the  longest  sub-sea  cable  operated,  including  the  cable  connecting 
Scotland and England, with a view to the greater use of renewable electricity generation and 
several sub-sea cables for connecting different markets or islands with the main synchronous 
system. A novel  approach is pursued  for the implementation of gas insulated lines (GIL) to 
connect European off-shore wind generated power sites.  

Synergy between high-voltage lines and rail/road tunnels: 

Support was granted to study the  possibility of a new connection  through the Brenner basis 
tunnel between Austria and Italy as well as the integration of electricity and rail transport in 
the Lyon – Turin high-speed railway tunnel. The potential of new cable or GIL technology is 
analysed in detail. 

Grid studies of European dimension: 

Due to its strategic importance, 75% of the eligible costs are granted to study connections and 
interface between the extended western synchronous system, the Union for the Coordination 
of  Transmission  of  Electricity  (UCTE),  and  the  eastern  synchronous  area,  including  the 
Unified  Power  System  (UPS)  of  Russia  including  the  Kaliningrad  area,  the  Interconnected 
Power  Systems  (IPS)  of  Belarus,  Ukraine,  the  Power  Systems  of  Moldova,  Georgia, 
Azerbaijan, the IPS of Baltic States and other connected systems. The result of this feasibility 
study will provide the essential information for the implementation decision.  

Another  example  is  the  project  analysing  new  connections  between  the  Union  for  the 
Coordination of Transmission of Electricity and CENTREL (eastern Europe) systems. 

3.7 EIB Loans and other Community grants 

As  explained  in  the  annex,  energy  infrastructure  receives  significant  support  through  loans 
from the EIB or grants from other Community sources. However, a significant fraction of this 
support is often dedicated to energy infrastructure in general, including distribution networks, 
and not exclusively to interconnectors.  

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4. Conclusions 

Based  on  the  report  in  the  annex,  the  Commission  arrives  at  the  following  general 
conclusions: 

•  The objective of focussing the support on priority projects is being implemented.  

The fact that, in the period 2001-2004, more than 60% of the TEN-E support was allocated to 
priority projects shows that the priority axes adopted in 2003 reflect the required improvement 
in the transmission infrastructure. 

•  Coordination measures concerning implementation should receive a high priority for TEN-

E policy. 

To  accelerate  the  implementation  of  projects,  special  attention  needs  to  be  given  to 
monitoring  the  progress  in  detail  and  to  regular  exchange  of  information  concerning  cross-
border  connections.  The  appointment  of  a  European  coordinator,  as  adopted  in  the  TEN-T 
guidelines  for  transport,  could  constitute  an  appropriate  measure  and  is  proposed  in  the 
revision of the TEN-E guidelines.  

•  The political support by means of the ‘TEN-E label’ is becoming more and more essential 
for public acceptance and for accelerating the authorisation procedure. However, it is noted 
that  authorisation  procedures  remain  a  major  problem,  since  the  delay  between  first 
planning and entry into operation is usually about 10 years. 

The feedback from the transmission system operators shows that the Community expression 
of  a  specific  European  interest  is  seen  as  equally  important  to  financial  support  and  can 
contribute to the timely start of the construction. 

•  Within the long list of projects of common interest, a relatively large number of projects 
have progressed well – apparently without much support under TEN-E. But a closer look 
at cross-border connections, in particular along the priority axes, has revealed that in this 
sub-class, the impact of the TEN-E program was important (see Table 2 and Table 4 in the 
annex). 

•  The TEN-E budget, although relatively small, made a significant contribution to  

- initialising projects in isolated or island regions, 

- projects exploring the potential use of novel technologies or  

- triggering the construction decision for specific projects. 

•  The  European  Investment  Bank  (EIB)  is  well  suited  to  playing  a  major  role  in  better 
integrating  the  EU  gas  and  electricity  markets.  Financing  of  the  gas  and  electricity 
transmission  infrastructure  is  already  a  traditional  activity  of  the  EIB,  which  should  be 
pursued with regard to priority projects even more strongly in the future. 

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•  It has become evident that an update of both the priority axes and the project lists3 is a pre-
requisite  for  increasing  support  for  better  connecting  the  new  Member  States  and  the 
accession countries. 

The  full  inclusion  of  the  ten  Member  States  that  acceded  on  1  May  2004  in  the  priority 
projects  requires  an  update  of  the  priority  axes.  The  proposed  revision  of  the  TEN-E 
guidelines includes the corresponding additional axes for priority projects.  

The main conclusions for electricity and gas networks are: 

Electricity networks: 

•  The  priority  projects  take  into  account  the  importance  of  cross-border  trade  for  the 
liberalisation  of  the  electricity  market.  Interconnections  are  still  largely  insufficient 
concerning the Barcelona 10 % target although progress was made. 

•  The  completed  connections  and  the  connections  under  construction  make  a  major 
contribution  to  removing  congestion  along  the  priority  corridors.  In  particular,  the  cross-
border links between France and Belgium (EL.1), between Italy and Switzerland and the 
phase  shifter  between  Italy  and  France  (EL.2),  several  lines  between  Portugal  and  Spain 
(EL.3),  cross-border  lines  in  south-east  Europe  (EL.4),  connections  increasing  the 
transmission capacity between Ireland and Northern Ireland (EL.6), between Denmark and 
Germany, connections between Finland and Estonia, Finland and Russia and Sweden and 
Norway (EL.7) increase the transmission capacity considerably. 

Gas Networks: 

•  The  priority  projects  take  into  account  the  importance  of  cross-border  trade  for  the 

liberalisation of the gas market. 

•  The  completed  connections  and  the  connections  under  construction  make  a  major 
contribution to increasing the gas import capacity along the priority corridors. In particular 
the  cross-border  link  for  gas  supplies  from  Algeria via Morocco  (NG.2), from Turkey to 
Greece  or  Austria  (NG.3)  and  a  series  of  new  LNG  terminals  (NG.4)  in  Spain,  Italy, 
Greece and the United Kingdom increase the import capacity considerably. 

Figure captions: 

Figure 1: Axes for Priority Projects concerning electricity networks. 

Figure 2: Axes for Priority Projects concerning gas networks. 

Figure 3: Progress in Implementation since 2001 for electricity networks. 

Figure 4: Progress in Implementation since 2001 for gas networks. 

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Commission proposal for a revision of the TEN-E guidelines COM(2003) 742 final of 10/12/2003. 

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