L 152/46
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
3.6.2022
consistent with a pathway towards low greenhouse gas emissions and climate-resilient development.
On 12 December 2019, the European Council endorsed the objective of achieving a climate-neutral European Union by 2050, in line with the objectives of the Paris Agreement.
(4)
Regulation (EU) No 347/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council (6) lays down guidelines for the timely development and interoperability of priority corridors and areas of trans-European energy infrastructure in order to achieve the energy policy objectives of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) to ensure the functioning of the internal energy market, security of supply and competitive energy markets in the Union, to promote energy efficiency and energy saving and the development of new and renewable forms of energy, and to promote the interconnection of energy networks.
Regulation (EU) No 347/2013 puts in place a framework for Member States and relevant stakeholders to work together in a regional setting to develop better-connected energy networks with the aim to connect regions currently isolated from European energy markets, strengthen existing and promote new cross-border interconnections, and help integrate renewable energy.
By pursuing those objectives, Regulation (EU) No 347/2013 contributes to smart, sustainable and inclusive growth and brings benefits to the entire Union in terms of competitiveness and economic, social and territorial cohesion.
(5)
The evaluation of Regulation (EU) No 347/2013 has clearly shown that the framework has effectively improved the integration of Member States’ networks, stimulated energy trade and hence contributed to the competitiveness of the Union.
Projects of common interest in electricity and gas have strongly contributed to security of supply.
For gas, the infrastructure is now better connected and supply resilience has improved substantially since 2013.
Regional cooperation in regional groups and through cross-border cost allocation is an important enabler for project implementation.
However, in many cases the cross-border cost allocation did not result in reducing the financing gap of the projects, as intended.
While the majority of permitting procedures have been shortened, in some cases the process is still long.
The financial assistance from the Connecting Europe Facility, established by Regulation (EU) No 1316/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council (7), has been an important factor as grants for studies have helped projects to reduce risks in the early stages of development, while grants for works have supported projects addressing key bottlenecks that market finance could not sufficiently address.
(6)
In its resolution of 10 July 2020 on the revision of the guidelines for trans-European energy infrastructure (8), the European Parliament called for a revision of Regulation (EU) No 347/2013, taking into account, in particular, the Union’s 2030 targets for energy and climate and its 2050 climate neutrality objectives and the energy efficiency first principle.
(7)
The trans-European energy networks policy is a central instrument in the development of an internal energy market and necessary to achieve the objectives of the European Green Deal.
To achieve higher levels of greenhouse gas emission reductions by 2030 and climate neutrality by 2050 at the latest, Europe will need a more integrated energy system, relying on higher levels of electrification based on additional renewable and low-carbon sources and the decarbonisation of the gas sector.
The trans-European energy networks policy can ensure that the Union energy infrastructure development supports the required energy transition to climate neutrality in line with the energy efficiency first principle and technological neutrality while considering the potential for emission reduction in the end use.
It can also ensure interconnections, energy security, market and system integration, and competition that benefits all Member States, as well as energy at an affordable price for households and undertakings.
(6) Regulation (EU) No 347/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 April 2013 on guidelines for trans-European energy infrastructure and repealing Decision No 1364/2006/EC and amending Regulations (EC) No 713/2009, (EC) No 714/2009 and (EC) No 715/2009 (OJ L 115, 25.4.2013, p. 39).
(7) Regulation (EU) No 1316/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2013 establishing the Connecting Europe Facility, amending Regulation (EU) No 913/2010 and repealing Regulations (EC) No 680/2007 and (EC) No 67/2010 (OJ L 348, 20.12.2013, p. 129).
(8) OJ C 371, 15.9.2021, p. 68.