Trans-European energy networks: guidelines
2001/0311(COD)
The European Parliament adopted a resolution drafted by Edouard BEYSEN (EPP-ED, Belgium) on the trans-European energy networks. (Please refer to the document dated 01/10/02.) Parliament stated in the recitals that, as a general rule, the construction and maintenance of energy infrastructure should be subject to market principles. The creation of a competitive and integrated internal energy market can be achieved much more cost-effectively by revising current competition policy legislation than it can by merely increasing infrastructure capacity, since competition is often hindered not by bottlenecks, but by a lack of contestability in the markets or by oligopolistic concentration.
Parliament went on to state that the Commission must submit a report describing the measures which are likely, in the event of an increase in Community subsidy from 10% to 20% to lead to more rapid completion of the relevant priority projects.
Finally, Parliament stipulated that evaluation of economic viability must be based upon a cost-benefit analysis which takes into account environmental matters, security of supply and contribution to economic and social cohesion. Such an evaluation is a precondition for projects to be identified as projects of common interest.�