Trans-European energy networks, guidelines: list of projects of common interest

On behalf of the Committee, rapporteur Mr ADAM (PSE,UK) will propose to the plenary the endorsement of the Commission proposal for an EP and Council decision intended to update the list projects of common interest for the trans-European energy networks (codecision procedure, 1st reading). The original guidelines on trans-European energy networks were adopted by the Council and the European Parliament in June 1996 and have already been modified once - in May 1997. Justifying the present updating, the Commission cites the rapid development of the natural gas market, the need for diversified sources of supply and increased storage capacity as well as the need to set up interconnected energy networks on European scale. The Commission proposes the addition of a total of 19 projects to the list of projects of common interest - in four cases the Commission proposes to change the description of projects which are already on the list. The new projects aim at connecting isolated electricity and gas networks to European interconnected networks, increasing gas reception, transmission and storage capacities and diversifying supply sources and routes for natural gas as well as developing internal connections. The committee will only table three amendments adding to the list projects to strengthen and develop internal connections in Spain, as well as connections between the Greek islands and between these islands and the mainland. �