On the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on guidelines for trans-European energy infrastructure, amending Regulations (EU) 2019/942, (EU) 2019/943 and (EU) 2024/1789 and repealing Regulation (EU) 2022/869
ENVI-AD-786822
Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety · Rapporteur: Elżbieta Katarzyna Łukacijewska
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The Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety gives its opinion on the proposed regulation on guidelines for trans-European energy infrastructure. It calls for a fully integrated energy market, technological neutrality, diversification of energy sources and stronger protection of critical infrastructure.¶¶¶ It asks that infrastructure planning stay aligned with climate neutrality by 2050, assess system needs holistically and avoid unnecessary costs and environmental impact.¶¶¶ It supports a central role for the Commission in defining the central scenario, in cooperation with member states and with input from ENTSO-E, ENTSOG and ENNOH.¶ It calls for more repurposing or retrofitting of existing natural gas pipelines for renewable and low-carbon gases, including hydrogen, where technically and economically feasible.¶
Committee position. The rapporteur proposes amendments to ensure technological neutrality, diversification of energy sources, holistic system needs assessment, stronger infrastructure protection, a Commission-led central scenario with member state consultation, and more repurposing of existing gas pipelines.¶¶¶
Key points
- The Union must strengthen its energy system for security of supply, resilience and affordability while staying on track towards climate neutrality by 2050.¶
- Infrastructure projects should be complementary and mutually reinforcing, integrating electricity, gases and other energy carriers to deliver climate goals cost-efficiently.¶
- Diversification of energy sources and supply routes is needed, with home-grown renewable electricity and low-carbon solutions such as hydrogen, biomethane and synthetic fuels.¶
- System needs should be assessed holistically, including firm and dispatchable low-carbon generation for system stability and congestion reduction.¶
- The principle of technological neutrality under Article 194(2) TFEU should be applied consistently, respecting member states' right to determine their energy mix.¶
- The resilience of the energy system should be strengthened through improved cyber and physical protection of critical infrastructure.¶
- The Commission should define and adopt the central scenario in cooperation with member states, in light of national energy and climate plans, and after consulting them in the Regional Groups.¶
- ENTSO-E, ENTSOG and ENNOH should keep their technical expertise and may develop additional models of the central scenario as an early-warning mechanism.
- More emphasis should be put on repurposing or retrofitting existing natural gas pipelines for renewable and low-carbon gases, including hydrogen, where feasible.¶
Who is affected
- Member states: their right to determine their energy mix is respected, and they are consulted on the central scenario.¶¶
- The Commission: it defines and adopts the central scenario in cooperation with member states.
- ENTSO-E, ENTSOG and ENNOH: their technical expertise is safeguarded and they may develop additional models.
- Operators of existing natural gas pipelines: their assets may be repurposed or retrofitted for renewable and low-carbon gases.¶
Figures and deadlines
Legal basis: Article 194(2) TFEU¶