The European Union member states have agreed on the Commission's proposal to invest €444m in priority European energy infrastructure projects. The 18 selected electricity, smart grids and gas projects will contribute to achieving the Energy Union's goals by connecting European energy networks, increasing security of energy supply, and contributing to the sustainable development by integrating renewable energy sources across the EU.
Seven projects will be related to the electricity sector (€176m), including :
- €40.2m for a study on the development of the SuedLink project in Germany (700 km of high-voltage cables between Brunsbüttel-Grοβgartach and Wilster-Grafenrheinfeld to increase capacity at Northern and Southern borders);
- €6.25m for additional studies for the new Atlantic electrical interconnection between Spain and France ("Biscay Gulf" project);
- €14.5m for final detailed studies for the EuroAsia Interconnector project between the Attica region (mainland Greece), Korakia (Crete, Greece), Kofinou (Cyprus) and Hadera (Israel);
- €10m to support the construction of a power link between two power plants in Latvia (Riga CHP 2 and Riga HPP);
- €4m for a study on the "Celtic Interconnector" project between La Martyre (France) and Great Island or Knockraha in Ireland.
A €90m EU grant will also support the implementation of an innovative energy storage project, the compressed air energy storage (CAES) in Larne, Northern Ireland (United Kingdom).
A smart grid project (SINCROGRID project) that will lead to more efficient use of the existing electricity transmission grid in both Slovenia and Croatia will receive financial support of €40m.
The EU will also invest €228m in ten gas projects, including €102m to support the construction of an off-shore LNG terminal on the Croatian island of Krk and €108m to support construction works for the Poland - Slovakia Gas Interconnection project.
The project support is part of the Connecting Europe Facility, which has allocated a total of €5.35bn to trans-European energy infrastructure for the period 2014-2020.