Trans-European energy networks: guidelines

The committee adopted the report by Eduard BEYSEN (ELDR, B) amending the proposal under the 1st reading of the codecision procedure. The main amendments were as follows: - a specific reference to the development and connection of renewable energy resources was inserted into the proposal, on the grounds that this would contribute to the diversification of energy sources and thus to the security of energy supply; the committee also amended Annex I with a view to ensuring that projects could include the integration of offshore wind energy; - it was stressed that the key responsibility for ensuring adequate infrastructure lay with EU industry and companies, in line with market principles. The effects on competition should be taken into account when examining projects, and private financing or financing by the economic operators concerned should be encouraged; - the indicative project specifications in Annex III and the list of priority axes in Annex I should be modified through the codecision procedure rather than through the proposed regulatory procedure, in order to guarantee more stringent legislative supervision; - transborder projects should be given special priority and Member States should report every two years on the implementation and progress of such projects; - a revision of the Decision would be necessary in view of enlargement and the Commission should therefore present a proposal amending it three months before the accession of new Member States so that those countries could be involved immediately.�