Brussels, Belgium – Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs, has today welcomed the Council decision to adopt the Commission’s proposal for a revision of the Trans-European Energy Network (TEN-E) Guidelines. The European Parliament already endorsed these Guidelines on 4 April. “The guidelines identify a European-wide electricity and gas transmission network, which is indispensable for the correct functioning of the internal energy market and to improve security of supply. The new rules will make authorisation procedures easier and attract the necessary investment for cross-border projects of high European interest”, said Commissioner Piebalgs.

In particular, the guidelines integrate fully the ten new Member States into the network and present 42 projects of European interest. In addition, they provide the framework for increased coordination, exchange of information and the possibility of the appointment of a European Coordinator. The revised guidelines clearly reflect the three main objectives of Europe’s energy policy, namely sustainability, competitiveness and security of supply.

The TEN-E guidelines are an important policy instrument for establishing the effective operation of the internal energy market and reinforcing the security of energy supply by better linking the national markets and by strengthening relations with third countries in the energy sector. Increasingly interlinked regional and national markets give customers the benefit of better service quality, a wider choice of the energy mix and competitive prices. On the top of that, the integration of large-scale wind generated electric power into the grid constitutes a Europe-wide challenge, exceeding already today the national dimension.

Concerning the implementation of the ‘Projects of European Interest’ they foresee coordination meetings for cross-border sections, monitoring of progress in implementation carried out by Commission and Member States (jointly with companies) and, when appropriate, Community support, including incentives by the European Investment Bank.