EU Parliament “saves” list of common interest energy projects. Also Sicily-Tunisia cable

Brussels – From hydrogen to CO2 storage and power cables: The European Parliament’s Industry, Research, and Energy (ITRE) Committee today (Feb. 22) saved the latest list of projects of common interest (PCI) and mutual interest (PMI) adopted via delegated regulation last Nov. 28 by the European Commission, the first since the Trans-European Energy Network (TEN-E) review came into effect.

ITRE MEPs saved the list by rejecting by 11 votes in favour, 50 against, and two abstentions a draft motion for objection that had been submitted to oppose the construction of some of these projects involving new gas infrastructure, particularly the EastMed pipelines and the Malta interconnection.

Union list of projects of common interest and projects of mutual interest – draft motion for objection rejected
✅11
❌50
⭕2

— ITRE Committee Press (@EP_Industry) February 22, 2024

For EU Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson, it is good news that MEPs rejected the objection. “The timely entry into force of the new PCI/SME list is significant and will be crucial for our decarbonization.” Eunews learns from parliamentary sources that the EU Green and United Left (formerly GUE) groups may re-submit an objection in plenary, but there is no chance it will be upheld. Then, the consultation period will expire, and the commission can adopt the list. Being a delegated act, the regulation has been submitted for consideration by the European Parliament and the Council. They have two months to accept or reject the entire list, with no opportunity to amend it. This process can be extended by two months if requested by the colegislators.

Electrical interconnections, energy storage, and smart electricity and hydrogen projects: More than half (85) of the projects adopted by the European Commission involve electricity, offshore, and smart electricity grids, many of which are expected to be commissioned between 2027 and 2030. For the first time, the list includes those related to hydrogen and electrolyzers (65), while 14 are dedicated to carbon capture and storage. While projects of common interest (PCIs) are critical infrastructures to complete the European internal energy market, projects of mutual interest (PMI) are key cross-border energy infrastructures between the EU and third countries that contribute to the EU’s energy and climate policy goals.

  Of 166, eight projects also involve Italy. Among them, two are hydrogen-related: the corridor between Italy, Austria and Germany and the internal infrastructure in Italy (currently known as the H2 backbone). Then again, the Commission recognizes as a project of mutual interest the ELMED, i.e., the interconnection between Sicily and Tunisia; the Corsica-Sardinia interconnection; the project to connect Malta to the European grid with the interconnection to Italy at Gela; the “Callisto”, for the development of a CO2 emissions storage hub operated by Italy together with France; the electricity interconnection between Lienz (in Austria) and Veneto; and, finally, the offshore storage project for emissions from Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Greece, Italy, and Slovenia (by ship).