Member states of the European Union agreed on a proposal from the European Commission to invest EUR 263 million in key trans-European energy infrastructure projects. Of the nine projects, four are in the electricity sector, with support worth EUR 53 million.
The list will include the construction of a 100 kilometre electricity line between Dobrudja and Burgas in Bulgaria that will strengthen the resilience of the domestic electricity grid. The investment is worth EUR 29.9 million.
The selection follows a call for proposals under Connecting Europe Facility (CEF). The selected priority projects aim to increase energy security, connect isolated member states to the wider European grid and contribute to the Energy Union objectives of affordable, secure and sustainable energy, the press release said.
With a total of EUR 800 million available for grants under CEF-Energy this year, the second call for proposals will close on November 8. Under the facility, a total of EUR 5.35 billion was allocated to trans-European energy infrastructure for the period 2014-2020.
In order to be eligible for a grant, a proposal has to be a project of common interest. There are currently 195 which ensure significant benefits for at least two member states, enhance security of supply, contribute to market integration and further competition and reduce carbon dioxide emissions. The list is updated every two years.
Under the first call for Connecting Europe Facility – energy in 2014, 34 projects were awarded grants of EUR 647 million. Last year 35 projects received EUR 366 million in financial support.
