Projects of Common Interest: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 11:58, 21 May 2021

Latest revision as of 19:20, 9 August 2025

(19 intermediate revisions by 5 users not shown)

Line 1:

{{Infobox organization

| formation = {{start date|2013}}<ref name="EUlex">{{Cite web |title=EUR-Lex - 32013R0347 - EN - EUR-Lex |url=https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2013/347/oj |access-date=2023-03-28 |website=eur-lex.europa.eu |language=en}}</ref>

| formation = {{start date|2013}}

| headquarters = [[Brussels]], [[Belgium]], [[European Union]]

| key_people = European Commission

Line 8:

}}

'''Projects of Common Interest''' ('''PCIs''') is a category of projects thatlaunched in 2013, which the [[European Commission]] has identified as a key priority forto interconnectinginterconnect the [[Europeanenergy Unioninfrastructure]]'s energyin systemthe infrastructure[[European Union]]. These projects are eligible to receive public funds. The PCI list is reviewed every two years.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.gastivists.org/pci-consultation/|title=Projects of Common Interest|website=gastivists.org/|language=en|access-date=2019-08-21}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-147329|title=What are the Projects of Common Interest? How do they improve and modernise Europe's energy grid?|website=audiovisual.ec.europa.eu|language=en|access-date=2019-09-21}}</ref> Since 2014, it is synoymously used with the term "Important Project of Common European Interest" (IPCEI) and includes innovation in microelectronics and [[communication technologies]].

==Mission, history==

In April 2013, the EU decided to codify "Projects of Common Interest" for cross-border energy projects,<ref name="EUlex"/> aimaiming to achieve EU energy policy and climate objectives. These are affordable, secure and [[sustainable energy]] for all its citizens, and its 2050 [[decarbonisation]] of the economy in accordance with the [[Paris Agreement]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.set-nav.eu/sites/default/files/common_files/deliverables/WP6/D6.5%20Issue%20Paper%20on%20PCI%20and%20gas%20producers%20pricing%20strategy.pdf|title=Navigating the roadmap for clean, secure and efficient energy innovation|website=set-nav.eu|language=en|access-date=2019-09-21}}</ref> Major infrastructure facilities that connect energy networks across the union boost the use of [[renewables]] and ensure that clean, secure and affordable energy can reach all its citizens.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://crossbowproject.eu/eu-invests-almost-e800-million-in-priority-energy-infrastructure-with-major-cross-border-benefits/|title=EU Member States voted to invest almost €800 million in key European energy infrastructure projects with major cross-border benefits|website=crossbowproject.eu|date=24 January 2019 |language=en|access-date=2019-09-21}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.euractiv.com/section/energy/opinion/four-priorities-for-a-future-oriented-connecting-europe-facility/|title=Four priorities for a future-oriented Connecting Europe Facility|website=euractiv.com|date=5 November 2018 |language=en|access-date=2019-09-21}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ec.europa.eu/commission/news/eu4-billion-investment-package-infrastructure-projects-across-10-member-states-2019-apr-02_en|title=€4 billion investment package for infrastructure projects across 10 Member States|website=ec.europa.eu|language=en|access-date=2019-09-21}}</ref>

In June 2014 the EC introduced the term "Important Project of Common European Interest" (IPCEI) in the context of financial aid for the Projects of Common Interest.<ref name="EUlex14">{{Cite web |title=EUR-Lex - 52014XC0620(01) - EN - EUR-Lex |url=https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex%3A52014XC0620%2801%29 |access-date=2023-03-28 |website=eur-lex.europa.eu |language=en}}</ref> IPCEI has since been used synonymously with PCI.

==PCI eligibility process==

The project must have a significant impact on [[energy markets]] and market integration in at least two EU states. It must also boost competition on energy markets and help the [[Energy policy of the European Union|EU's energy security]] by diversifying sources as well as contribute to reduce climate change and increase renewable energy utilization.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ec.europa.eu/energy/en/topics/infrastructure/projects-common-interest/overview|title=Projects of Common Interest|website=ec.europa.eu|language=en|access-date=2019-08-20}}</ref> The PCI list completes the regulatory proposals of the Clean Energy Package with a clean infrastructure dimension.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.europeanfiles.eu/energy/achieving-european-global-leadership-renewable-energy|title=Achieving European Global Leadership in Renewable Energy|website=europeanfiles.eu|language=en|access-date=2019-08-20}}</ref>

In 2018, the EU announced funding the IPCEI for innovation in microelectronics and [[communication technologies]] with €1.75 billion,<ref>{{Cite web |last=EU press corner |date=2018-12-18 |title=State aid: Commission approves plan by France, Germany, Italy and the UK to give €1.75 billion public support to joint research and innovation project in microelectronics |url=https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/home/en |access-date=2023-03-28 |website=European Commission - European Commission |language=en}}</ref> which was complemented in 2020 by the [[European Chips Act]].

In 2020, the EU overhauled their regulation regarding trans European energy infrastructure (TEN-E policy), as part of the [[Trans-European Networks]] in light of the [[European Green Deal]]. It reworked criteria IPCEII, for example introducing intelligent gas networks, hydrogen and [[electrolysis of water]] projects.<ref>{{Cite web |title=EUR-Lex - 52020PC0824 - EN - EUR-Lex |url=https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=COM%3A2020%3A824%3AFIN |access-date=2023-03-28 |website=eur-lex.europa.eu |language=en}}</ref>

==PCI eligibilityEligibility process==

TheA project must have a significant impact on [[energy markets]] and market integration in at least two EU states. It must also boost competition on energy markets andmarket, help the [[Energy policy of the European Union|EU's energy security]] by diversifying sources, as well as contributecontributing to reduceslowing climate change and increaseincreasing the use of renewable energy utilization.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ec.europa.eu/energy/en/topics/infrastructure/projects-common-interest/overview|title=Projects of Common Interest|website=ec.europa.eu|language=en|access-date=2019-08-20}}</ref> The PCI list completes the regulatory proposals of the Clean Energy Package with a clean infrastructure dimension.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.europeanfiles.eu/energy/achieving-european-global-leadership-renewable-energy|title=Achieving European Global Leadership in Renewable Energy|website=europeanfiles.eu|date=12 January 2018 |language=en|access-date=2019-08-20}}</ref>

==Process==

PCI projects are first assessed to identify if they can effectively solve a need through infrastructure. Once they pass this test, they are assessed against the criteria set out in the TEN-E Regulation to identify theirhow contributionthey contribute to the implementation of the respective energy infrastructure priority corridor and their fulfilment of the criteria. Projects meeting all requirements of the Regulation and making the largest contributions are proposed for inclusion in the Union list of Projects of Common Interest. The list is adopted by the European Commission and published in the [[Official Journal of the European Union|Official Journal]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ec.europa.eu/info/news/call-applications-candidate-projects-common-interest-pcis-electricity-2018-oct-15_en|title=Call for applications for candidate projects of common interest (PCIs) in electricity|website=ec.europa.eu|language=en|access-date=2019-09-20}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tyndp.entsoe.eu/2016/insight-reports/common-projects/|title=A push for Projects of Common Interest|website=tyndp.entsoe.eu|language=en|access-date=2019-09-20}}</ref>

==Transparency and confidentiality==

As part of the [[European Transparency Initiative]], organisations should use the Register of interest representatives to provide the Commission and the public with information about their objectives, funding and structures. Contributions received from surveys and the identity of the contributors are published on the Commission's website, unless the contributor objects to publication of the personal information. In this scenario, the contribution will be published in an anonymous form. The protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data by the institutions is based on Regulation (EC) N° 45/2001 of the European [[European Parliament|Parliament]] and of the [[Council of the European Union|Council]] of 18 December 2000.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ec.europa.eu/energy/en/consultations/evaluation-ten-e-regulation|title=Evaluation of the TEN-E regulation|website=ec.europa.eu|language=en|access-date=2019-09-20}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.euractiv.com/section/energy/opinion/projects-of-common-interest-or-waste-of-public-resources/|title=‘Projects'Projects of Common Interest’Interest', or waste of public resources?|website=euractiv.com|date=8 February 2018 |language=en|access-date=2019-09-20}}</ref>

==Examples==

In February 2023, the US chip manufacturer [[Wolfspeed]] announced it would build its first European factory in Germany.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Eddy |first=Melissa |date=2023-03-27 |title=Germany Wants More Chip Makers, but They Won't Come Cheap |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/27/world/europe/germany-chips-subsidies.html |access-date=2023-03-28 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> It is supposed to be on the site of a former coal plant in [[Ensdorf, Saarland]] with [[ZF Friedrichshafen]] as a coinvestor and susidized by the EU as an important project of common European interest (IPCEI) for Microelectronics and Communication Technologies.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-02-01 |title=Wolfspeed Announces Plan to Construct World's Largest, Most Advanced Silicon Carbide Device Manufacturing Facility in Saarland, Germany |url=https://www.wolfspeed.com/company/news-events/news/wolfspeed-announces-plan-to-construct-worlds-largest-most-advanced-silicon-carbide-device-manufacturing-facility-in-saarland-germany/ |access-date=2023-03-28 |website=www.wolfspeed.com |language=en-us}}</ref>

==See also==