Energy infrastructure: €600 million in EU investment to support cross-border European networks

Today, the European Commission opened a call for proposals under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) to help invest in trans-European energy infrastructure projects. This infrastructure will be essential in achieving the Energy Union objective of connectivity. Up to €600 million will be made available with priority given to projects of common interest and actions that enhance the EU’s security of energy supply, increase competitiveness and contribute to sustainable development and the protection of the environment. Once finalised, the projects will help complete the EU internal energy market and create a resilient Energy Union with a forward-looking climate change policy, a priority of the Juncker Commission. With a total indicative budget of €800 million for grants foreseen in 2016, this is the second of the two calls scheduled for this year for the Connecting Europe Facility in the field of energy. The deadline to submit applications is 8 November 2016. A decision on the selection of proposals to be funded is expected by March 2017. Vice-President for the Energy Union Maroš Šefčovič said: “Cross-border energy connections are at the heart of the Energy Union. They make us stronger together in the EU. With this CEF call we provide new investment opportunities for cleaner and smarter energy infrastructures“. EU Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy Miguel Arias Cañete said: “The Paris Agreement sent a clear signal that the clean energy transition is here to stay. The Commission is committed to support this transition and invest where it is needed. The proposals will become the building blocks of this larger energy transformation, help connect the existing energy infrastructure across Europe, and bring significant benefits to our economy and our climate”. EU financing for energy infrastructure under the Connecting Europe Facility is €5.35 billion for the period 2014-2020. Find more information about the call for proposal and the Energy Union online. Furthermore, the Investment Plan for Europe (EFSI) has already helped to finance 24 projects in the energy and climate action sector.