European Commission - Press release

Commission proposes new list of Projects of Common Interest for a more

integrated and resilient energy market
Brussels, 19 November 2021
Today, the European Commission has adopted the fifth list of energy Projects of Common Interest
(PCIs). These are key cross-border energy infrastructure projects for building a more integrated and
resilient EU internal energy market and pursuing our energy and climate goals. This fifth PCI list
comprises 98 projects: 67 projects in electricity transmission and storage, 20 in gas, six CO2
network projects and five smart grid projects. All PCI projects are subject to streamlined permitting
and regulatory procedures and eligible for financial support from the EU's Connecting Europe Facility
(CEF).
The 67 electricity transmission and storage projects on the PCI list will make an important
contribution to the increased renewable energy ambition under the European Green Deal, while five
smart grid projects will improve efficiency of the networks, cross-border data coordination and safer
grid management. No new gas infrastructure project is supported by the proposal. The few, selected
gas projects, which have already been on the 4th PCI list, are projects that are necessary to ensure
security of supply for all Member States. A strengthened sustainability assessment has led to a
number of gas projects being dropped from the list.
Today's list is established under the existing Trans-European Network-Energy (TEN-E) Regulation. In
December 2020, the Commission proposed a revision of the TEN-E regulation which would end the
eligibility of oil and gas infrastructure projects for future PCI lists and create an obligation for all
projects to meet mandatory sustainability criteria as well as to follow the ‘do no significant harm'
principle as set out in the Green Deal.
Next steps
Following its adoption by the Commission today, the Delegated Act with the 5 th PCI list will be
submitted to the European Parliament and the Council. Both co-legislators have two months to either
accept or reject the list – a process which can be extended by a further two months, if needed.
Based on the applicable legal provisions, the co-legislators do not have the possibility to amend the
draft list.
For More Information
Delegated regulation on 5 th list of Projects of Common Interest
Annex on the 5 th list of Projects of Common Interest (5th PCI list)
Staff Working Document on the 5th list of Projects of Common Interest
Q&A on 5 th list of Projects of Common Interest
Projects of Common Interest webpage
PCI interactive map
Connecting Europe Facility (CEF)
IP/21/6094

Press contacts:
Tim McPHIE (+ 32 2 295 86 02)
Ana CRESPO PARRONDO (+32 2 298 13 25)
General public inquiries: Europe Direct by phone 00 800 67 89 10 11 or by email
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