The work on projects of common interest and projects of mutual interest (PCIs and PMIs) is coordinated by regional groups, dedicated to each of the following types of energy infrastructure: electricity, offshore grid development, hydrogen and electrolysers, smart electricity grids, smart gas grids and CO2 networks, in line with the scope of the Trans-European Networks for Energy (TEN-E) Regulation.
How can a project become a PCI or PMI?
The energy infrastructure project must have a significant impact on energy markets and market integration in at least 2 EU countries. It should boost competition on energy markets and help the EU's energy security by diversifying sources, as well as contribute to the EU's climate and energy goals by integrating renewables.
Projects are selected as PCIs if they
- have a significant impact on at least 2 EU countries
- enhance market integration and contribute to the integration of EU countries' networks
- increase competition on energy markets by offering alternatives to consumers
- enhance security of supply
- contribute to the EU's energy and climate goals
- facilitate the integration of energy from renewable energy sources
Projects between EU countries and countries outside the EU must show a high level of convergence of the non-EU country’s policy framework with that of the EU. This provision is presumed for Energy Community Contracting Parties and countries in the European Economic Area.
PMI candidates must demonstrate their contribution to the overall energy and climate objectives of the EU and relevant partner countries in terms of security of supply, decarbonisation and significant net socio-economic benefits at EU level.
Only electricity transmission, offshore hybrid interconnectors, hydrogen transmission and CO2 networks, possibly linked to storage projects, can be selected as PMIs.
Establishing the PCI and PMI list
Every 2 years since 2013, the Commission draws up a new Union list of projects of common interest. With the entry into force of the revised TEN-E Regulation in 2022, the list also includes projects of mutual interest.
So far, 6 PCI lists have been adopted
- First Union list of PCIs and PMIs (EU) 2024/1041 of 28 November 2023, Technical Document accompanying the PCI/PMI list
- Fifth PCI list: Regulation (EU) 2022/564 of 19 November 2021
- Fourth PCI list: Regulation (EU) 2020/389 of 31 October 2019
- Third PCI list: Regulation (EU) 2018/540 of 23 November 2017
- Second PCI list: Regulation (EU) 2016/89 18 November 2015
- First PCI list: Regulation (EU)1391/2013 of 13 October 2013
Call for applications
For electricity and gas projects to be eligible for inclusion on the PCI and PMI list, they must be part of the latest available 10-year network development plan (TYNDP). Every 2 years the European Network of Transmission System Operators (ENTSOs for Electricity and for Gas) first establishes the system’s needs under different future and disruption scenarios. Then, a cost-benefit analysis (CBA) is performed for all submitted projects, assessing their contribution to meeting the system’s needs.
For smart grids, CO2 networks and oil projects, specific assessment methods are used.
Promoters of projects that are potentially eligible for PCI or PMI status can apply to be included in the selection process through the open call for applications, launched by the Commission.
Project assessment in the regional groups
Regional groups assess the compliance of applications with the specific PCI and PMI selection criteria, as defined under Article 4 of the TEN-E Regulation. Following this assessment, the applications are ranked by the Decision-Making Bodies of the regional groups, consisting of EU countries and the Commission.
Regional Groups
Chaired by the Commission, regional groups include representatives from EU countries, transmission system operators and their European networks, project promoters, national regulatory authorities, as well as the Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER).
Their role is to assess the projects' potential contribution to EU energy infrastructure priorities, their fulfilment of the relevant criteria and their maturity. Stakeholders are invited to take part in these meetings and can offer their insights on infrastructure bottlenecks and the candidate PCIs and/or PMIs. Decision-making in the Regional Groups is reserved for a body comprising of EU countries and the Commission.
The revised TEN-E regulation identifies the following infrastructure priorities, based on priority corridors and thematic areas
- North-South electricity interconnections in Western Europe (‘NSI West Electricity’)
- North-South electricity interconnections in Central Eastern and South-Eastern Europe (‘NSI East Electricity’)
- Baltic energy market interconnection plan in electricity (‘BEMIP electricity’)
- Northern Seas offshore grids (NSOG)
- Baltic Energy Market Interconnection Plan offshore grids (BEMIP offshore)
- South and West offshore grids (SW offshore)
- South and East offshore grids (SE offshore)
- Atlantic offshore grids
- Hydrogen interconnections in Western Europe (HI West)
- Hydrogen interconnections in Central Eastern and South Eastern Europe (HI East)
- Baltic Energy Market Interconnection Plan in hydrogen (BEMIP Hydrogen)
- Smart electricity grids
- Smart gas grids
- CO2 networks
Finalising the list
The assessment results in several regional lists of proposed PCIs and PMIs, which the Commission adopts as an EU-wide list in the form of a delegated act.
The Commission submits the list of projects to the European Parliament and the Council. These institutions have 2 months to oppose the list as a whole or ask for an extension of 2 months to finalise their position – they cannot request amendments. If neither institution rejects the list, it enters into force.
The process of the 2nd PCI/PMI list
The process for establishing the 2nd Union list of projects of common interest and of projects of mutual interest will be opened in Autumn 2024. The Commission held an informative session on 17 June 2024.