3.6.2022
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
L 152/47
(8)
While the objectives of Regulation (EU) No 347/2013 remain largely valid, the current trans-European energy networks framework does not yet fully reflect the expected changes to the energy system that will result from the new political context and in particular the upgraded Union 2030 targets for energy and climate and the 2050 climate neutrality objective under the European Green Deal.
Therefore, among other aspects, both climate mitigation and climate adaptation objectives need to be adequately reflected in the revised trans-European energy networks framework.
Besides the new political context and objectives, technological development has been rapid in the past decade.
That development should be taken into account in the energy infrastructure categories covered by this Regulation, the selection criteria for projects of common interest as well as the priority corridors and areas.
At the same time, the provisions of this Regulation should not affect a Member State’s right to determine the conditions for exploiting its energy resources, its choice between different energy sources and the general structure of its energy supply, in accordance with Article 194 TFEU.
(9)
Directives 2009/73/EC (9) and (EU) 2019/944 (10) of the European Parliament and of the Council provide for an internal market for energy.
While there has been very significant progress in the completion of that market, there is still room for improvement by better utilising existing energy infrastructure, integrating the increasing amounts of renewable energy, and system integration.
(10)
The Union’s energy infrastructure should be upgraded in order to prevent technical failure and to increase its resilience against such failure, natural or man-made disasters, adverse effects of climate change and threats to its security, in particular as regards European critical infrastructures pursuant to Council Directive 2008/114/EC (11).
(11)
The Union’s energy infrastructure should be resilient to the unavoidable impacts that climate change is expected to create in Europe in spite of the mitigation efforts.
Hence, strengthening the efforts on climate adaptation and mitigation, resilience building, disaster prevention and preparedness is crucial.
(12)
The development of trans-European energy infrastructure should take into account, where technically possible and most efficient, the possibility of repurposing existing infrastructure and equipment.
(13)
Security of supply, as a main driver behind the adoption of Regulation (EU) No 347/2013, has been significantly improved through projects of common interest.
Moreover, the Commission’s impact assessment accompanying the Commission communication of 17 September 2020 entitled ‘Stepping up Europe’s 2030 climate ambition – Investing in a climate-neutral future for the benefit of our people’ expects the consumption of natural gas to be reduced significantly because its non-abated use is not compatible with carbon neutrality.
On the other hand, the consumption of biogas, renewable and low-carbon hydrogen and synthetic gaseous fuels is expected to increase significantly towards 2050.
For gas, the infrastructure is now better connected and supply resilience has improved substantially since 2013.
The planning of energy infrastructure should reflect this changing gas landscape.
However, not all Member States are yet connected sufficiently to the European gas network and island Member States in particular continue to face significant challenges in terms of security of supply and energy isolation.
Although 78 % of gas projects that are projects of common interest are expected to be commissioned by the end of 2025, a number of them are experiencing significant delays, including due to permitting problems.
This Regulation should therefore not negatively affect projects of common interest that have not yet been completed on the date of its entry into force.
Therefore, projects of common interest included in the fifth Union list of projects of common interest established pursuant to Regulation (EU) No 347/2013, for which an application file has been accepted for examination by the competent authority should be able to maintain their rights and obligations as regards permitting for a period of four years after the date of entry into force of this Regulation.
(9) Directive 2009/73/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 July 2009 concerning common rules for the internal market in natural gas and repealing Directive 2003/55/EC (OJ L 211, 14.8.2009, p. 94).
(10) Directive (EU) 2019/944 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 June 2019 on common rules for the internal market for electricity and amending Directive 2012/27/EU (OJ L 158, 14.6.2019, p. 125).
(11) Council Directive 2008/114/EC of 8 December 2008 on the identification and designation of European critical infrastructures and the assessment of the need to improve their protection (OJ L 345, 23.12.2008, p. 75).