Debate: Connecting Europe Facility - Streamlining measures for the realisation of the TEN-T - Railway safety and signalling: Assessing the state of play of the ERTMS deployment
Date: TUESDAY, 6 JULY 2021
Speaker: Adina-Ioana Vălean
Language: EN

As I mentioned earlier, with the adoption of CEF II regulation, we will now finalise all preparatory steps with our Agency CINEA to be able to launch the first call for proposals in September. As regard TEN-T, you know that we plan to come forward with a package on sustainable mobility in the Autumn and that will also focus on the TEN-T. The overarching goal of the revision of the TEN-T Regulation will be to contribute to the European Green Deal objectives and the realisation of the sustainable mobility strategy.  Indeed, since the adoption of the TEN-T Regulation in 2013, the policy context has changed substantially. The ongoing revision is thus the opportunity to modernise the legal framework and to step up our efforts in aligning the TEN-T with the new priorities.  As a result, the guiding principle of the revision is to complete the infrastructure backbone of the single European transport area and to make transport greener, more efficient and resilient. Since there were some worries about the link between CEF and the Union’s climate objectives, let me say a few words on that.  So again, the CEF will contribute at least 60% of its funding to the climate objectives and thus support sustainable and green transition. In the transport part it is expected that at least 70% of the budget allocated to measures under the CEF will contribute to climate objectives, in particular support of the construction and upgrade of railway infrastructure, including its electrification. Focus on the alternative fuels infrastructure will be the backbone of the investments.  Specifically, we will set up an alternative fuel facility to dedicate more than EUR 1 billion over three years to electricity and hydrogen recharging and refuelling stations. In addition, significant support will be provided to the inland waterways infrastructure, short sea shipping, telematic applications and multimodal transport.  Also to contribute to the climate objectives we will include synergies with the energy sector. For instance, the possibility to support the development of port capacities and facilities in relation with offshore wind farms. The support to grid connections in relation to electro mobility and onshore power supply, or the integration of onsite renewable energy generation in the supported projects. So these are just a few words to convince you that indeed CEF and the Union’s climate objectives are very much aligned.  And just a small word on the gas worries you have. As regards the financing from CEF energy, since 2014, CEF energy has provided almost 65% of its total budget of EUR 4.7 billion to electricity and smart grid projects, mirroring the increased focus on the electrification of our energy system.  The PCI status is a precondition for applying for CEF under the TEN-E window, but no guarantee for financing. And in its proposal for a revision of the TEN-E regulation, the Commission excludes natural gas infrastructure from the scope of TEN-E and makes sustainability assessment of all projects mandatory, thus ensuring the full alignment of the TEN-E policy with the European Green Deal objectives and climate neutrality.  Therefore, based on the Commission proposal and if agreement with the co—legislators will be reached now, gas natural gas infrastructure would receive PCI status under the six PCI list, which is expected to be adopted in 2023.  So these are some of the thoughts we, myself and colleagues, have as regards energy to align our investment with the objectives of our climate pact. In the end, I very much look forward to continuing our discussions on connecting Europe and the TEN-T revision and the interinstitutional debate that we will organise in September as part of our TEN-T days meet European Year of Rail Event. You are of course invited. Thank you very much for the debate today and your support.