European Commission projects

To help create an integrated EU energy market, the European Commission has drawn up a list of 195 key energy infrastructure projects known as projects of common interest (PCIs). These are essential for completing the European internal energy market and for reaching the EU's energy policy objectives of affordable, secure and sustainable energy

PCIs may benefit from accelerated planning and permit granting, a single national authority for obtaining permits, improved regulatory conditions, lower administrative costs due to streamlined environmental assessment processes, increased public participation via consultations, increased visibility to investors and access to financial support totalling €5.35 billion from the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) from 2014-2020. The funding is intended to speed-up the projects and attract private investors.

To become a PCI, a project must have a significant impact on the energy markets and market integration of at least two EU countries, boost competition on energy markets and boost the EU's energy security by diversifying sources, and contribute to the EU's climate and energy goals by integrating renewables.

The first list of PCIs was published in 2013. The list is updated every two years to integrate newly needed projects and remove obsolete ones. The next PCI list update will take place in 2017.

CEF funding 2016

A total of €800 million in grants is set aside for PCIs in 2016.

• First CEF Energy call for proposals in 2016

Under the first CEF Energy call for proposals in 2016, €263 million was allocated to PCIs and 9 proposals were selected to receive grants for studies or works. Of those, 5 are in the gas sector and 4 in the electricity sector. The bulk of the support goes to projects in the Baltic Sea region.

List of projects selected for funding under the first 2016 CEF Energy call for proposals

CEF funding 2015

In 2015 a total of €366 million was allocated to 35 PCIs. Of those, 20 were in the gas sector and 15 in the electricity sector. The bulk of the support went to projects in Central Eastern and South Eastern Europe as well as in the Baltic region.

List of projects selected for funding under the first 2015 CEF Energy call for proposals

List of projects selected for funding under the second 2015 CEF Energy call for proposals

CEF funding 2014

Under the 2014 CEF call, €647 million was allocated to PCIs and 34 proposals were selected to receive grants for studies or works. The majority of projects involve electricity and gas transmission lines, but the list also features electricity storage projects, underground gas storage projects and LNG terminals. The bulk of funds went to proposals addressing urgent security of supply needs in the Baltic region.