Projects of Common Interest (PCIs) is a category of projects that the

European Commission The European Commission (EC) is the executive of the European Union (EU). It operates as a cabinet government, with 27 members of the Commission (informally known as "Commissioners") headed by a President. It includes an administrative body ...

has identified as a key priority for interconnecting the

European Union The European Union (EU) is a supranational political and economic union of member states that are located primarily in Europe. The union has a total area of and an estimated total population of about 447million. The EU has often been ...

's energy system infrastructure. These projects are eligible to receive public funds. The PCI list is reviewed every two years.

Mission

Projects of Common Interest aim to achieve EU energy policy and climate objectives. These are affordable, secure and

sustainable energy Energy is sustainable if it "meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs". Most definitions of sustainable energy include considerations of environmental aspects such as green ...

for all its citizens, and its 2050

decarbonisation Climate change mitigation is action to limit climate change by reducing emissions of greenhouse gases or removing those gases from the atmosphere. The recent rise in global average temperature is mostly caused by emissions from fossil fuels bu ...

of the economy in accordance with the Paris Agreement. Major infrastructure facilities that connect energy networks across the union boost the use of

renewables Renewable energy is energy that is collected from renewable resources that are naturally replenished on a human timescale. It includes sources such as sunlight, wind, the movement of water, and geothermal heat. Although most renewable energy ...

and ensure that clean, secure and affordable energy can reach all its citizens.

PCI eligibility process

The project must have a significant impact on

energy markets Energy markets are national and international regulated markets that deal specifically with the trade and supply of energy. Energy market may refer to an electricity market, but can also refer to other sources of energy. Typically energy developme ...

and market integration in at least two EU states. It must also boost competition on energy markets and help the EU's energy security by diversifying sources as well as contribute to reduce climate change and increase renewable energy utilization. The PCI list completes the regulatory proposals of the Clean Energy Package with a clean infrastructure dimension.

Process

PCI projects are first assessed to identify if they can effectively solve a need through infrastructure. Once they pass this test, they are assessed against the criteria set out in the TEN-E Regulation to identify their contribution to the implementation of the respective energy infrastructure priority corridor and their fulfilment of the criteria. Projects meeting all requirements of the Regulation and making the largest contributions are proposed for inclusion in the Union list of Projects of Common Interest. The list is adopted by the European Commission and published in the

Official Journal A government gazette (also known as an official gazette, official journal, official newspaper, official monitor or official bulletin) is a periodical publication that has been authorised to publish public or legal notices. It is usually establis ...

Transparency and confidentiality

As part of the

European Transparency Initiative European, or Europeans, or Europeneans, may refer to: In general * ''European'', an adjective referring to something of, from, or related to Europe ** Ethnic groups in Europe ** Demographics of Europe ** European cuisine, the cuisines of Europe a ...

, organisations should use the Register of interest representatives to provide the Commission and the public with information about their objectives, funding and structures. Contributions received from surveys and the identity of the contributors are published on the Commission's website, unless the contributor objects to publication of the personal information. In this scenario, the contribution will be published in an anonymous form. The protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data by the institutions is based on Regulation (EC) N° 45/2001 of the European

Parliament In modern politics, and history, a parliament is a legislative body of government. Generally, a modern parliament has three functions: representing the electorate, making laws, and overseeing the government via hearings and inquiries. ...

and of the

Council A council is a group of people who come together to consult, deliberate, or make decisions. A council may function as a legislature, especially at a town, city or county/shire level, but most legislative bodies at the state/provincial or nati ...

of 18 December 2000.

Notes

References

{{Reflist, 30em

Sources

European Infrastructure

Current Major European Projects

Examples of Projects of Common Interest and their benefits

External links

Official website
Energy policies and initiatives of the European Union