Debate: Revision of the guidelines for trans-European energy infrastructure - Objection pursuant to Rule  Union list of projects of common interest
Date: MONDAY, 10 FEBRUARY 2020
Speaker: Cristian-Silviu Buşoi
Country: Poland
Language: EN

The TEN—E regulation sets priority corridors and thematic areas of trans—European energy infrastructure and provides guidelines for the selection of Projects of Common Interest (PCI). The first list of PCIs was established by a delegated act in 2013. Now we are on the fourth PCI list, which was adopted by the Commission on 31 October 2019 with 151 PCIs. As reflected in Parliament’s first reading position of 17 April 2019 on the proposal for a regulation on the Connecting Europe Facility for the period 2021—2027, the co—legislators provisionally agreed that the Commission should evaluate the effectiveness and policy coherence of the TEN—E regulation. For that evaluation, I would like to remind you that the Commission should consider inter alia the Union energy and climate targets for 2030, the EU long—term decarbonisation commitment and energy efficiency as a first principle.  I’d also like to stress that the TEN—E regulation was adopted before the adoption of the Paris Agreement. Energy plays a central role in the transition to a net—zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions economy, and therefore efforts to continue decarbonising the energy systems are necessary to enable the Union to reach its ambitious target and be world leader, while at the same time ensuring a coherent and inclusive transition of other sectors, maintaining the security of energy supply in the Union and coping with an increased demand for electricity.  With the aim of achieving its climate and energy goals and enhancing innovation, sustainability and growth, it is at the same time very important to remain competitive worldwide. The Union needs an up-to-date, high—performance energy infrastructure that is future-proof, cost-efficient and can provide a security of energy supply, including diversification of root sources and suppliers. Priority corridor scenarios, as well as eligibility criteria, should follow the evolution of the energy system and continue to be consistent with Union policy priorities, in particular in the context of long—term decarbonisation pathways. Adequate infrastructure, deployment and energy efficiency projects and policies should be used in a complementary way to help reach the Union’s objectives and targets. Building on the success of the Energy Union, we need to strengthen our efforts to improve energy efficiency, speed up deployment of clean energy and technologies, increase interconnectivity, and also of course further integrate our energy single market. In its resolution of January on the European Green Deal, Parliament called on the Commission to revise the TEN-E guidelines before the adoption of the next PCI list. The Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) welcomes the announcement in the European Green Deal Communication that the revision of the TEN—E guidelines will take place in 2020 and asks for a clear timetable.  As regards the fourth PCI list, new gas infrastructure under the fourth PCI list is designed to last at least 40 to 50 years, and in some cases even longer. May I remind you that the very same infrastructure will be able to be used in not so many years from now to transport biogas and hydrogen, and also – during the transition phase – gas pipelines and interconnections, which play an important role in ensuring the energy security supply, affordability and sustainability. We need a balanced and realistic approach to achieve our common goal of carbon neutrality, and I would like to remind you that we still have 41 coal regions to support and sustain in a just and inclusive transition.