March 2010 Selection of projects for the European Energy Programme for Recovery Table of contents 1 General Introduction 1 2 Call for proposals legal framework 4 Gas and electricity infrastructure pro[.]
General Introduction
EEPR – helping the economy and responding to the challenges of security and climate change in the energy sector
The European Energy Programme for Recovery (EEPR) originated from the €200 billion European Economic Recovery Plan introduced by the Commission on November 26, 2008 This plan aimed to mitigate the crisis's effects by safeguarding jobs and purchasing power, enhancing infrastructure, and fostering employment in future low-carbon sectors It outlined a coordinated approach for Member States and the European Union to stimulate the economy and increase investment in strategic areas Notably, investments in energy interconnections were identified as crucial for economic recovery, and the plan received endorsement from the European Council in December 2008, prompting the Commission to compile a list of specific energy projects.
The EEPR Regulation, proposed by the Commission in January 2009 and adopted in July of the same year, established the EEPR programme, which entered into force in August 2009 With a substantial Union contribution of nearly €4 billion, the programme aims to co-finance energy projects across three sub-programmes: gas and electricity interconnections, offshore wind energy, and carbon capture and storage The EEPR is anticipated to play a crucial role in revitalizing the European economy by addressing key security and environmental challenges in the energy sector.
The EEPR aims to accelerate and secure investments in the energy sector, positively influencing the EU economy and job creation It enhances the security of supply for vulnerable Member States and connects 'energy islands' to the broader EU energy market, exemplifying solidarity within the European Union The energy crisis in January 2009, which severely impacted several Central and Southern European Member States due to gas supply disruptions, highlighted the vulnerabilities in Europe's energy supply and underscored the necessity for a swift and coordinated response.
The EEPR aims to accelerate the achievement of the 20/20/20 objectives for 2020 by facilitating the adoption of innovative technologies in renewable energy and carbon capture and storage.
The EEPR Regulation establishes a framework for substantial co-financing from the EU budget for essential energy projects, marking a historic commitment to energy infrastructure With a total budget of €3.98 billion designated for its implementation, this initiative represents the EU's unprecedented investment in enhancing energy systems across member states.
1 gas and electricity infrastructure projects: €2.365 billion (60% of budget)
2 offshore wind energy projects (OWE): €0.565 billion (14% of budget)
3 carbon capture and storage projects (CCS): €1.05 billion (26% of budget)
The EEPR Regulation prioritizes gas and electricity infrastructure, encompassing electricity and gas interconnections, Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminals, and gas storage facilities It also includes gas reverse flow projects aimed at preventing future gas supply disruptions The eligible projects strike a balance between those poised for immediate investment and those addressing long-term EU security of supply challenges Their implementation is expected to stimulate the EU economy by driving demand for equipment and creating construction jobs, aligning with the "2nd Strategic Energy Review" adopted by the Commission in November 2008.
1 Communication from the Commission to the European Council ‘A European Economic Recovery Plan’ COM(2008) 800
The EEPR Regulation (EC) N°663/2009, established by the European Parliament and Council on July 13, 2009, aims to support economic recovery through financial assistance for energy projects This crucial political document outlines the EU's energy priorities for the coming years, focusing on enhancing the energy market and bolstering energy supply security Key policy priorities include the development of gas and electricity infrastructure.
To enhance the internal energy market, it is crucial to adapt and develop energy networks that address bottlenecks, particularly those of a cross-border nature This involves tackling congestion and filling missing links while considering the demands of both the electricity and natural gas markets, as well as accommodating the expansion of the European Union.
Developing energy networks in islands and remote regions is essential for enhancing energy diversification and promoting renewable energy sources This initiative also focuses on connecting these networks when necessary to ensure a sustainable energy future.
Regarding offshore wind energy, while wind energy is now produced on an industrial scale in the
The EU is increasingly focusing on offshore wind farm developments due to environmental concerns limiting onshore projects Offshore sites offer higher quality wind resources and present an opportunity to enhance the energy mix, bolster electricity supply security, and meet EU renewable energy and greenhouse gas reduction goals Support from the EEPR will facilitate the validation of large-scale offshore wind projects, with a significant portion of the budget allocated to integrative initiatives for interconnecting wind farms and implementing large-scale storage systems These funded projects aim to improve the EU's offshore wind electricity supply chain, ensuring cost-effective delivery to end-users while maintaining a stable and secure grid.
Carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies offer a significant opportunity to combat climate change, yet they are not yet proven at a large scale or commercially viable The key challenge ahead is to establish the technical and economic feasibility of CCS in large power plants Additionally, CCS presents a strategic chance for Europe to take the lead in the global market To achieve this, support from the European Energy Programme for Recovery (EEPR) will be crucial in promoting the broader demonstration of CCS technologies across Europe.
From the Regulation to providing Union financial assistance to projects
To maximize the stimulus effect on real economies, the Recovery Plan emphasizes the importance of swiftly delivering financial assistance to projects The progress of the EEPR thus far indicates a shared commitment among European Institutions, Member States, and project promoters to this principle However, effective management of this complex process necessitates adherence to specific steps, and it is evident that achieving these goals will require time The simplified outline below illustrates the key stages of the process.
Adoption of the EEPR Regulation
Call for proposals Evaluation of the submitted proposals Proposal of the Commission on granting EEPR assistance to selected projects
Comitology – approval of Commission’s proposal Right of Scrutiny of the European Parliament Adoption of the Award Decision
Adoption of the Individual Decisions granting Union aid to individual projects / Signature of grant agreements
Implementation of individual decisions / grant agreements (pre-financing, further payments; monitoring)
The objective of this publication
The present report summarises the results of the Call for Proposals under the EEPR programme and outlines the progress made in the implementation of the EEPR.
Call for proposals - legal framework
Under the EEPR Regulation, the Commission is responsible for soliciting proposals to identify actions that will implement the projects outlined in its Annex, specifically parts A, B, and C.
The Annex was structured into three sections: Section A focused on eligible projects in gas and electricity infrastructure, Section B addressed offshore wind projects, and Section C covered carbon capture and storage initiatives While the Regulation established common financing rules for all three sub-programmes, it also outlined distinct eligibility, selection, and award criteria for each A single call for proposals was issued on May 19, 2009, encompassing the entire EEPR programme, yet it specified separate criteria for each sub-programme The Commission was responsible for evaluating the submitted proposals to ensure they met the outlined eligibility, selection, and award criteria as detailed in both the Call and the Regulation.
Gas and electricity infrastructure projects
Main requirements of eligibility and project selection criteria
To qualify for a grant under the EEPR Regulation, proposals must be submitted in writing and detail actions that align with the projects outlined in Annex, Part A, while adhering to the maximum EEPR assistance limits Eligible applicants include individual or multiple Member States acting together, as well as public or private entities, international organizations, or joint undertakings, either independently or in collaboration with others, with the consent of the relevant Member States involved in the project.
The selection criteria required proposals to showcase both the technical soundness and adequacy of their approach, as well as the robustness of the financial package intended for the complete investment phase of the project.
Further, in line with the EEPR Regulation, the compliance of the proposals with 8 award criteria was to be assessed on a point scale from 0 to 100 as follows:
Maturity will be evaluated based on the capital expenditure planned by December 31, 2010, in relation to the total eligible project costs Emphasis will be placed on assessing political, economic, and administrative commitments.
The article highlights the significant role that limited access to finance plays in hindering the implementation of projects It emphasizes the need to evaluate the potential impact of EEPR funds in facilitating or expediting project initiation Special focus is placed on the importance of commencing the project sooner and allocating funds effectively in 2009 and 2010.
(c) the extent to which EEPR assistance would stimulate public and private finance The commitment of potential investors to funding the action was to be assessed (Points 5/100)
The socio-economic impact of the project was evaluated through a cost-benefit analysis and ex-ante evaluation This assessment included an estimation of the expected job creation both during the implementation phase and throughout the operational period.
(e) environmental impact - The impact of the action inter alia on nature, emissions, noise, land use and the measures to reduce or compensate any negative impacts to be assessed (Points 10/100)
(f) the contribution to the continuity and interoperability of the EU's energy network, as well as to the optimisation of its capacity (i.e reverse flows) (Points 15/100)
(g) the contribution to the improvement of service quality, safety and security (Points 10/100) (h) the contribution to the creation of a well integrated energy market (Points 10/100)
To qualify for EEPR assistance, written proposals must implement projects outlined in Annex, Part B of the EEPR Regulation, adhere to the maximum funding limits, and meet the selection and award criteria of the specific sub-programme Proposals must be submitted collectively by one or more undertakings, as submissions from natural persons are not eligible.
The selection criteria were the following:
The project must demonstrate a sound and technically adequate approach, supported by a comprehensive work plan that outlines key milestones Participants were provided with detailed guidance and additional information as annexes to assist in the development of their proposals.
The financial viability of the project's full investment phase is crucial, requiring a comprehensive cost plan that outlines all related expenditures Applicants must demonstrate their commitment by contributing their own financial resources and identifying additional funding sources to ensure the project is fully financed, even if their contributions and EEPR funding fall short.
The Commission evaluated the proposals received under the call by applying specific award criteria Each submission was assessed independently, with marks awarded and comments provided Proposals were scored on a scale from 0 to 100 based on these criteria.
(a) maturity, defined as reaching the investment stage, and incurring substantial capital expenditure by the end of 2010 A detailed list of investment-related expenditure planned for
In 2010, it was essential to establish a comprehensive work plan that showcased effective management, incorporating a robust risk management strategy covering both technical and financial dimensions, along with the necessary permitting processes Additionally, the plan needed to present adequate proof that the anticipated expenditures could be successfully executed by the end of the designated period.
In 2010, applicants were required to submit a comprehensive list of all necessary permits along with a strategy for obtaining them They needed to demonstrate that all essential permits were either already secured or would be acquired soon to facilitate planned expenditures for the year Special emphasis was placed on the political, economic, administrative, and environmental factors involved in the project's development and deployment.
Lack of access to finance significantly hinders the implementation of the action plan The Business Plan must thoroughly outline all investment costs and co-funding schemes Proposals should clearly demonstrate that there are inadequate alternative financing sources to support the initial phase of the project.
The project aims to enhance existing installations and infrastructures that are currently under construction or in the planning stage Applicants must detail the technical and economic implications of their proposals, particularly focusing on how the funding will facilitate the scaling up or upgrading of the project This criterion is weighted at 10 out of 100 points.
3 see Annex 5, section 3.2 of the application form for OWE in Annex 3 of the call for proposals
4 see Annex 5, section 1.2.5 of the application form for OWE in Annex 3 of the call for proposals
5 see Annex 3 of the application form for OWE in Annex 3 of the call for proposals
Key elements of the EEPR Call
On May 19, 2009, a call for proposals was issued for all three sectors, inviting project promoters to submit their proposals by July 15, 2009 To assist potential applicants, the European Commission created a dedicated EEPR website on the "europa.eu" portal, where relevant information was made available and regularly updated by DG TREN Over 160 questions and answers of general interest were published on the site, and an Info Day for project promoters was held on June 3, 2009.
On July 23, 2009, an opening session for the three EEPR sub-programmes was held, receiving a strong positive response from the industry with 87 proposals submitted: 46 for Interconnections, 29 for Offshore Wind Energy, and 12 for Carbon Capture and Storage All proposals met the formal requirements outlined in the Call for proposals, and independent evaluation exercises for each sub-programme were subsequently organized.
Gas and electricity infrastructure projects
The EEPR Regulation allocated a total budget of €2.365 billion for the Interconnections sub-programme, receiving 46 proposals for 87 actions, although one proposal was later withdrawn The total requested Union financial support reached €2.364 billion.
Budget foreseen in the EEPR Regulation M €
*Proposal for one action amounting to €18 million has been withdrawn (Action 1 of EEPR09-INTg-RF-CZ-02)
An internal Evaluation Committee, made up of the Commission's experts, conducted the assessment of the proposals Their role was to evaluate the submissions based on the eligibility, selection, and award criteria outlined in the Call for Proposals and the EEPR Regulation, ultimately making funding recommendations.
All the proposals submitted were compliant with the eligibility and selection criteria Thus, they were all evaluated against the award criteria.
In September 2009, an Evaluation Committee, assisted by a team of independent experts, conducted a technical assessment of proposals in Brussels Each proposal was evaluated independently by at least three experts based on the award criteria outlined in the Call and the EEPR Regulation Proposals were scored on a scale from 0 to 100, with a minimum threshold of 60 points required to qualify for EEPR funding.
The external experts' consensus reports were submitted to the internal Evaluation Committee, which utilized their insights to develop its final recommendations Out of 87 proposed actions, 81 were endorsed for EEPR funding, while three additional actions that met the selection criteria were placed on a reserve list These reserve actions may be considered for Union grant awards if any of the selected actions decline the funding.
Sector Number of actions received
Number of actions on the reserve list
*Not including the withdrawn action
Further details on the results of the Interconnections evaluation are given in Chapter 5 of this publication.
The total budget as foreseen in the EEPR Regulation for the OWE sub-programme amounted to
€565 million A total of 29 proposals had been received and the sum of the requested Union financial support amounted to €1.669 billion.
Sector Number of proposals received
Budget foreseen in the EEPR Regulation M €
The evaluation was carried out in the Commission's premises in Brussels by an Evaluation Committee composed of Commission's internal experts.
Each proposal was assessed against the applicable award criteria independently.
One proposal did not meet the geographic eligibility criterion, specified in of the Annex, Part B, of the EEPR Regulation, and was not further evaluated.
The Committee established a marking scheme to ensure fair and consistent evaluation of proposals, resulting in a final ranking organized by points in descending order They recommended initiating contract negotiations with the highest-ranked proposals within the available budget Additionally, a reserve list was created featuring the next best proposals from sections 1.2 and 2.1, which may be considered for a Union grant if any of the top-ranked proposals decline the offer Fourteen proposals were deemed eligible for this process.
To ensure technical coherence, six actions from the EEPR09-INTg-RF-CZ proposal were consolidated into one action, as their lower ranking prevented funding within the program's budget limits Consequently, out of 29 proposals, nine were recommended for EEPR funding, while an additional five were placed on the reserve list.
Sector Number of proposals received
Number of proposals on reserve list
Further details on the results of the OWE evaluation are given in Chapter 4 of this publication.
Carbon capture and storage projects
The total budget as foreseen in the EEPR Regulation for the CCS sub-programme amounted to
A total of 12 proposals were submitted for Union support, amounting to €1.770 billion, while the available funding was €1.050 billion Out of these, 11 proposals met the eligibility criteria set forth in Call for Proposals 10 and the EEPR Regulation However, one proposal was deemed ineligible as it did not align with the projects listed in Annex, Part C of the EEPR Regulation, and was consequently not evaluated further.
Budget foreseen in the EEPR Regulation
The evaluation took place at the Commission's headquarters in Brussels, conducted by a Committee of internal experts along with observers from the European Investment Bank The Committee evaluated proposals based on eligibility, selection, and award criteria outlined in the Call for proposals and the EEPR Regulation After this assessment, they compiled a ranked list of funding proposals, with the top six receiving priority based on their scores.
Nine proposals were submitted, including one that failed to meet the eligibility criteria because it did not implement a project specified in part B of the annex of the EEPR Regulation; this proposal was not evaluated further under the selection and award criteria.
Ten proposals from section 11.3.1 were recommended for EEPR funding, while the next four were placed on a reserve list The reserve list proposals may be considered for Union grants if any of the six selected proposals decline the funding These lists were subject to an Inter-service consultation with relevant Commission services, which endorsed the evaluation results.
Number of proposals on reserve list
Further details on the results of the CCS evaluation are given in the following Chapter.
The proposal failed to meet the eligibility criteria because it did not implement a project outlined in part C of the annex of the EEPR Regulation, and consequently, it was not evaluated under the selection and award criteria.
EEPR funding – OWE and CCS
The table below outlines the successful OWE project proposals and those placed on the reserve list Additionally, Chapter 8 of this publication features a map illustrating the selected proposals for funding, along with the grant amounts requested by the successful applicants.
Project name and description Applicant name (country)
Fdidate for funding R=Reserve list
Topic 1 - Grid integration of offshore wind energy 1.1 BALTIC - KRIEGERS FLAK I, II, III (envisaged contribution 150 M €)
Baltic - Kriegers Flak I, II, III: Combined grid solution
Interconnection of German, Swedish and Danish wind farms in the Kriegers Flak area through a modular-based combined solution, linking up the national grid connections
Vattenfall Europe Transmission GmbH (DE), Affọrsverket Svenska Kraftnọt
1.2 NORTH SEA GRID (envisaged contribution 165 M €)
COBRA CABLE Large capacity interconnector between the
Netherlands and Denmark Investment in innovative designs for direct connection of offshore wind farms and the modular start of the North Sea Grid TenneT TSO B.V (NL), Energinet.dk
Offshore HVDC hub Addition of an intermediate offshore platform on the planned HVDC link (between Shetland and
Scottish mainland) for connecting offshore wind and marine generation Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission
NorNed II is a significant high-voltage direct current (HVDC) interconnector linking the Netherlands and Norway, featuring two HVDC converter stations and a 600 km subsea cable This infrastructure has the potential to directly connect offshore wind farms, enhancing renewable energy integration in the region, as facilitated by TenneT TSO B.V in the Netherlands.
STEVIN project - preparation of the necessary onshore backbone (380 kV) for the connection of the offshore North
Sea Grid into Central Western Europe interconnected transmission network by constructing a 5000 MW coast to inland connection ELIA Asset SA (BE) 114.36 114.36 30.88 R
Mainstream Renewable Power Limited has proposed the accelerated development and interconnection of two offshore wind farms between the UK and Germany, aiming to establish a robust offshore wind interconnection and advance the North Sea Supergrid This initiative focuses on facilitating the transfer of 1GW of electricity, enhancing renewable energy capabilities in the region.
The NSG South-West MTN is an innovative offshore grid module designed to integrate an operational AC multi-terminal node in the southwestern North Sea This advanced offshore high voltage substation will support the Thornton Bank wind farm while facilitating a seamless interconnection between the Thornton Bank and Greater Gabbard offshore wind farms C-Power (BE) is a key player in this project, enhancing the efficiency and reliability of renewable energy distribution in the region.
Topic 2 New turbines, structures and components, optimisation of manufacturing capacities 2.1 BORKUM WEST II – BARD 1 – NORDSEE OST – GLOBAL TECH I (envisaged contribution 200 M €)
BARD Offshore 1 ("BARD 1") specializes in the production of the innovative Tripile foundation system and the development and installation of a cutting-edge Cable in-feed system for the 400 MW offshore wind farm operated by Ocean Breeze Energy GmbH & Co KG.
Global Tech I - Gravity Foundations Gravity foundations for deep water wind farms using efficient serial manufacturing and fast installation processes Wetfeet Offshore Wind Energy Gmbh
(DE), Ed Züblin AG (DE) 205.09 205.09 65.00 F
Nordsee Ost offshore wind farm Installation of 6MW wind turbine generators (monopile foundation) in challenging offshore circumstances, including innovative logistics and installation concept
Essent Wind Nordsee Ost Planungs - und Betriebsgesellschaft GmbH (DE) 488.00 488.00 55.00 F Borkum West II Installation of 80 innovative 5MW wind turbine generators (tripod foundation)
Upstalsboom - Multi Purpose Installation Vessel for Multi
MW Wind Farms - Self Elevating Platform "Upstalsboom" : installation vessel that increases capabilities for all components of wind turbines including foundation and substructures up to 1400 to.
PN Upstalsboom GmbH & Co KG (DE), PROKON Nord Energiesysteme
2.2 ABERDEEN OFFSHORE WIND FARM (envisaged contribution 40 M €)
The Aberdeen Offshore Wind Farm is set to establish a state-of-the-art wind deployment center dedicated to testing multi-megawatt turbines This facility will focus on innovative structures and substructures, while also optimizing the manufacturing capabilities of offshore wind energy production equipment.
Thornton Bank aims to enhance logistics for the expansion of the offshore deep-water wind farm, focusing on the implementation of innovative jacket foundations for deep-water offshore parks With a projected contribution of €10 million from C-Power (Belgium), this initiative seeks to optimize operations and demonstrate advanced substructure technologies.
Carbon capture and storage projects
The tables below outline the successful CCS project proposals alongside those listed as reserves Additionally, Chapter 8 features a map illustrating the funded proposals and the grant amounts requested by the successful applicants.
CCS project proposals selected for the EEPR funding
Country Proposal reference Project name / description
Amount of grant requested (in M €)
The Jaenschwalde project seeks to showcase Oxyfuel and post-combustion technologies at an existing power plant site Additionally, it will evaluate two alternative options for storage and transportation.
The Rotterdam proposal intends to showcase a complete carbon capture and storage (CCS) system with a capacity of 250 MW Utilizing post-combustion capture technology, the project will transport the captured CO2 to an offshore depleted gas field located nearby.
25 km from the CCS plant The project is part of the Rotterdam Climate initiative that aims at developing a CO 2 transport and storage infrastructure for the region.
Belchatow The Bełchatów plant is the largest lignite-fired plant in Europe with a total capacity of 4440 MWe A new supercritical unit of 858 MW is currently under construction.
The Bełchatów project seeks to showcase the complete carbon capture and storage (CCS) process for flue gases associated with a 250MW electrical output This initiative will investigate three distinct saline aquifer storage locations situated 61 km, 72 km, and 140 km away from the power plant.
The Compostilla project aims to showcase the complete carbon capture and storage (CCS) process through the use of Oxyfuel and fluidised bed technology at a 30 MWth pilot plant, with plans to scale up to a demonstration facility exceeding 320 MW by December 2015 The captured carbon dioxide will be stored in a saline aquifer situated approximately 100 km from the power plant.
United Kingdom EEPR.CCS.Hatfield
The Hatfield project aims to showcase carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology at a new 900 MW integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) power plant, with CO2 storage planned in an offshore gas field approximately 175 km away This initiative is part of the Yorkshire Forward program, which focuses on developing a comprehensive CO2 transport and storage infrastructure for the region.
The Porto Tolle project plans to implement carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology at a new 660MW coal power plant, which will replace an existing oil-fired facility The CCS system will process flue gases corresponding to 250 MW of electrical output, with storage intended for an offshore saline aquifer situated approximately 200 km from the power plant.
CCS project proposals on the reserve list for EEPR funding
Country Proposal reference Project name / description
Amount of grant requested (in M €)
The project in Huerth focuses on showcasing the complete carbon capture and storage (CCS) process at a proposed 450 MW integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) power plant, utilizing lignite at the Goldenberg site The initiative includes plans for transportation through the development of necessary infrastructure.
610 km pipeline spanning three Bundeslọnder to enable the captured CO 2 to be stored in a deep saline aquifer in Schleswig- Holstein.
Eemshaven The Eemshaven project aims to demonstrate large scale, pre-combustion capture on a
EEPR funding – Gas and electricity infrastructure projects
The tables below outline the successful gas and electricity infrastructure project proposals, categorized by actions, along with those included in the reserve list These evaluation results received approval from the Member States committee supporting the Commission and were formalized in the Commission's award decision, adopted on March 4, 2010, following scrutiny by the European Parliament.
Chapter 8 of this publication features maps that illustrate the proposed funding actions and the grant amounts requested by successful applicants Notably, the gas interconnectors map includes a gas project in Cyprus categorized under small isolated island initiatives, while the electricity interconnectors map highlights an electricity project in Malta, also submitted under the same category.
Gas infrastructure projects proposed for EEPR funding
Project as mentioned in the
Proposal reference Action n° Description of the action Applicant Name Country Maximum Union contribution in €
Nabucco EEPR09-INTg-Nabucco 1/1 Procurement of long lead items for the
Nabucco Gas Pipeline International GmbH
ITGI – Poseidon EEPR09-INTg-Poseidon ẵ Detailed engineering and tendering phase IGI Poseidon S.A IT, GR 6,420,000
2/2 Line pipe procurement contract IGI Poseidon S.A IT, GR 93,580,000 Skanled/Baltic pipe EEPR09-INTg-Baltic-DK
Extension of capacity from entry point Ellund to Egtved: compressor station at the north of the German/Danish border and 95 km pipeline connection
Upgrade of the existing connection between Lille Torup gas storage and Egtved Procurement and commissioning of a second compressor unit necessary for gas shipment to Sweden.
3/3 Development of the market in the Baltic region Pre-engineering studies for interconnection with Poland
EEPR09-INTg-Baltic-PL ẵ Baltic interconnection: construction of the Swinoujscie-Szczecin DN 800 onshore gas pipeline
2/2 Baltic interconnection: Construction of the Compressor station in Goleniow Gaz System S.A PL 7,112,500
Polish Coast at port of Świnoujście
Construction of 2 LNG Storage tanks of 160000cm each near the city of Swinoujscie in the Poland shore of the Baltic Sea
2/2 The berth: construction of the infrastructure to discharge safely the gas from vessels
19arząd Morskich Portow Szczecin i Swinoujsce S.A
Procurement of line pipe and compressor units for Hungarian Natural Gas Pipeline section of the Slovakia-Hungary
FGSZ Natural gas Transmission Closed company Limited
Procurement of line pipe and yard material for the Slovak Natural Gas Pipeline section of the Slovakia-Hungary Interconnector
Gas transmission system in Slovenia between the
1/3 Construction of M1/1 Cersak-Kidricevo gas pipeline section Geoplin plinovodi d.o.o SI 25,283,347
Supply of the equipment for M2/1 Rogaska Slatina – Trojane gas pipeline section
Supply of the equipment for M2/1 Rogaska Slatina – Vodije gas pipeline section
Technical studies and construction of the Interconnection Greece Bulgaria (IGB) from Komotini to Stara Zagora
1) Public Gas Corporation of Greece (DEPA)
Romania-Hungary gas interconnector EEPR09-INTg-RO-HU
Construction work of Hungarian Natural Gas pipeline Section of the Romania- Hungary Interconnector (Hungary)
FGSZ Natural gas Transmission Closed company Limited
2/2 Construction work of Hungarian Natural
Gas pipeline Section of the Romania- Hungary Interconnector (Romania)
Storage Capacity in the Czech hub
Extension of underground gas storage (UGS) Tvrdonice in the south-eastern part of the Czech Republic RWE Gas Storage CZ 14,630,000
2/2 Extension of underground gas storage
(UGS) Tranovice in the north-eastern part of the Czech Republic RWE Gas Storage CZ 20,370,000
Hungary-Croatia interconnection EEPR09-INTg-HU 1/1 Purchase of raw material and compressor units between the Hungarian and Croatian gas networks
FGSZ Natural gas Transmission Closed company Limited
Bulgaria-Romania interconnection EEPR09-INTg-RO-BG
Bulgaria-Romania Interconnection – Construction of the Gas metering stations at Giurgiu (Romania) and Ruse (Bulgaria).
Bulgaria-Romania Interconnection – Interconnection pipeline between Gas metering station Ruse and gas Metering station Giurgiu
FR gas network on the Africa-Spain-
Reinforcement of the French gas network on the Africa-Spain-France axis – Procurement of gas pipeline on the Rhone corridor
Reinforcement of the French gas network on the Africa-Spain-France axis Building of a new compression station and associated gas connections on the French Spanish Western Gas Corridor (Chazelles)
Reinforcement of the French gas network on the Africa-Spain-France axis.
Lacal reverse flow – Basic and detailed studies, works
Reinforcement of the French gas network on the Africa-Spain-France axis.
Creation of a second parallel pipeline in the Bearn Artery – Basic and detailed studies, works
Algérie-Italie) EEPR09-INTg-Galsi
Pipe procurement for the Algeria- Sardinia section of the Galsi pipeline projects from the limit of Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) between Italy and Algeria to the Sardinia Landfall
Pipe laying activities in the Algeria- Sardinia section of the Galsi pipeline projects from the limit of Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) between Italy and Algeria to the Sardinia Landfall
3/4 Construction of the Yela-Villar de Arnedo gas pipeline Enagas SA ES 40,806,140
4/4 Procurement and construction of the
Compressor station at Villar de Arnedo Enagas SA ES 4,193,860 Germany-Belgium-
United Kingdom pipeline EEPR09-INTg-BE 1/1 Construction of a new pipeline (vtn2) between Opwijk and Raren (Eynatten) FLUXYS SA BE 35,000,000
France-Belgium interconnection EEPR09-INTg-BE-FR
Belgium-France interconnection - Belgian part: construction of two pipelines between Winksele-Blaregnies and Berneau-Gravenvoeren, including compression stations and metering stations
Procurement program for gas pipes on the French northern corrridor
Infrastructure and equipment to permit reverse flow in the event of short term supply disruption
Construction of Mangualde-Celorico DN
700 section of the high pressure (84barg) pipeline / Spanish border reverse flow
Implementation of reverse flow at gas metering stations Isaccea and Negru Voda (Romania and Bulgaria)
EEPR09-INTg-RF-AT-01 1/1 Adapting the WAG metering and compressor station in Baumgarten for bidirectional use
EEPR09-INTg-RF-AT-02 1/1 Increase the intake capacity into the
TAG system for gas not coming from Slovakia
EEPR09-INTg-RF-AT-03 1/1 Upgrading the ĩberacken Export facility for Reverse Flow project OMV Gas GmbH AT 1,150,000
EEPR09-INTg-RF-AT-04 1/1 TAG physical reverse flow from Italy to
Austria, Slovenia (via SOL), Slovakia and Hungary (via Baumgarten)
Interconnection between gathering stations of UGS Lab complex and transit System of Slovakia via central Station Gajary - Baden - Construction part
Installation of a new pipeline interconnection at Plavecky Peter node and a compressor station at Ivanka pri Nite Node
EEPR09-INTg-RF-CZ 12 1/1 Reverse flow increase West-East RWE Transgas
Implementation of infrastructure and equipment at existing nodes to permit reverse gas flow in the event of short term disruption
FGSZ Natural gas Transmission Closed company Limited
EEPR09-INTg-RF-LV-LT 1/5
Enhancement of bi-directional interconnection capacity between Latvia and Lithuania
Reconstruction of 15 wells in Incukalns underground gas storage (Latvia)
EEPR09-INTg-RF-LV-LT 3/5
Enhancement of bi-directional interconnection capacity between Latvia and Lithuania
Reconstruction of underwater pass over Daugava River and construction of new receiving trap for inspection gauges (Latvia)
EEPR09-INTg-RF-LV-LT 4/5
Enhancement of bi-directional interconnection capacity between Latvia and Lithuania
Modernization of Panevezys gas compressor station (Lithuania)
EEPR09-INTg-RF-LV-LT 5/5 Enhancement of bi-directional interconnection capacity between Latvia and Lithuania.
To ensure technical coherence, the six actions proposed have been consolidated into a single group, while the original divisions are preserved in the map presentation below.
Modernization of gas pipelines (Lithuania)
Extension of the Polish transmission system related to the Polish-Germany interconnector Development of the network connection point Lasow
Extension of the Polish transmission system related to the Polish-Germany interconnector Gas pipeline construction Jeleniow-Jeleniow
Extension of the Polish transmission system related to the Polish-Germany interconnector Modernisation of the Dziwiszow -Taczalin pipeline
Extension of the Polish transmission system related to the Polish-Germany interconnector Gas pipeline construction Taczalin-Radakowice
Extension of the Polish transmission system related to the Polish-Germany interconnector Gas pipeline construction Radakowice-Galow
Extension of the Polish transmission system related to the Polish-Germany interconnector Engineering for the compressor station - Jeleniow
Flexibility increase of gas storage connection to transit system - Interconnection of UGS Tvrdonice and Berclav (CZ), new pipeline DN1000
EEPR09-INTg-RF-CZ-PL 1/3 Gas interconnection Czech Republic
Poland- Pipeline DN500 6.3MPa Tranovice-Cieszyn-Skoczow
EEPR09-INTg-RF-CZ-PL 2/3 Gas interconnection Czech Republic
Poland- Pipeline DN500 6.3MPa Tranovice-Cieszyn-Skoczow
EEPR09-INTg-RF-CZ-PL 3/3 Gas interconnection Czech Republic
Poland- Pipeline DN500 6.3MPa Tranovice-Cieszyn-Skoczow
Electricity interconnector projects proposed for EEPR funding
Project as mentioned in the
Proposal reference Action n° Description of the action Applicant Name Cou ntry Maximum Union contribution in €
Construction of EstLink 2 HVDC Interconnection between Finland and Estonia
States, and strengthening of the grid in Baltic States
Interconnection of the Nordic electricity market and the Baltic electricity market
The cable for the Nordbalt interconnection
2) Consortium (Public Institution Central Project Management Agency CPMA and AB Lietuvos Energija)
Interconnection of the Nordic electricity market and the Baltic electricity market
The converters for the Nordbalt interconnection
2) Consortium (Public Institution Central Project Management Agency CPMA and AB Lietuvos Energija)
Design and construction of 330kV AC cable Riga CHP1 - Imanta and renovation of 110kV OHL in the same section of Riga HV ring
Design and construction of 330kV overhead transmission line Grobina
Schweinfurt EEPR09-INTe-DE 1/2 Electricity Interconnector Halle/Saale-
EEPR09-INTe-AT-HU 1/2 Overhead line Wien (AT)- Gyửr(HU) 1) VERBUND-Austria
Overhead line Wien (AT)- Gyửr(HU) - Extension of the Szombathely substation, OPGW line, installation of regenerator in Hungary
Portimao (PT) -Tavira (PT) - P Gusman (ES) - Guillena (ES) line and Tavira Facilities
The project involves extending the 400kV transmission line to the Douro Internacional region and Recarei, enhancing overhead line infrastructure in the Douro Internacional area Additionally, it includes the interconnection between the Spanish substation of Aldeadavilla and the Portuguese transmission network, facilitating improved energy exchange and reliability in the region.
New eastern Pyrenees electric interconnection between France and Spain
New eastern Pyrenees electric interconnection between France and Spain - CONVERTER STATION
New eastern Pyrenees electric interconnection between France and Spain - TUNNEL
New 380 kV AC submarine cable between Sicily –
EEPR09-INTe-IT 1/1 New 380kV AC interconnection between
Sicily and Italian mainland: "Sorgente- Rizziconi"
EEPR09-INTe-IRL-UK 1/1 Construction and installation of a 500MW electricity interconnector cable between Meath in Ireland and Deeside in Wales
Malta-Italy EEPR09-INTe-MT-IT 1/1 Electricity Interconnection Malta-Italy
2) Terna Spa - Rete Elettrica Nazionale
Small islands projects proposed for EEPR funding
Project as mentioned in the
EEPR Regulation Proposal reference Action n° Description of the action Applicant Name Country Maximum Union contribution in €
EEPR09-INTi-g-CY 1/1 Design and lay three natural gas pipelines to three existing power stations
Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism
EEPR09-INTi-e-MT 1/1 Extension of the HV distribution network to the submarine cable terminal station Enemalta
Project proposals on the reserve list
Project as mentioned in the
Proposal reference Action n° Description of the action Applicant Name Country Maximum Union contribution in €
1/4 constructing of the TIVISSA - PATERNA pipeline duplication Enagas SA ES
CASTELNOU pipeline duplication Enagas SA ES
Storage Capacity in the Czech hub
EEPR09-INTg-store- CZ-03 1/1 Expansion of the gas storage facility in the municipality area of Uhrice MND Gas Storage a.s CZ 35,000,000
Further steps for the EEPR Programme
The evaluation of proposals under the EEPR Call commenced simultaneously for all three sub-programmes; however, the assessment for gas and electricity infrastructure projects progressed more slowly due to specific project-related factors While the evaluations for offshore wind and carbon capture and storage projects were completed by September, the evaluation committee for gas and electricity infrastructure projects concluded its work on 23 November 2009.
Following the FP7 Programme Committee's approval of the evaluation results on October 16, the Commission invited beneficiaries of the OWE and CCS proposals to begin negotiations During this period, applicants were required to clarify aspects of their proposals, although they could not alter the technical content Negotiations for the initial projects concluded in December 2009, with the first grant agreements being signed in December 2009 and January 2010.
The evaluation of gas and electricity infrastructure projects led to a proposal from the Commission to support selected actions, which was approved by the Member States committee on 18 December 2009 Following this, the European Parliament exercised its scrutiny rights, which expired on 21 January 2010, allowing the Commission proposal to be formalized in the award decision adopted on 4 March 2010 Beneficiaries are anticipated to be notified of the Individual Commission Decisions granting the EEPR funds between February and April 2010.
The Indicative Action Plan outlines the specific steps necessary for implementing the Call for proposals under the EEPR Regulation, detailing the initiatives for Offshore Wind Energy and Carbon Capture Storage (OWE&CCS) as well as for gas and electricity infrastructure projects.
Launch Call for Proposals 19 May 2009
Information meeting for applicants for the three sectors 3 June 2009
Closing date for Call for Proposals 15 July 2009
Evaluation of proposals July - September
Comitology procedure: FP7 Programme Committee
Information to EP (1 month for EP scrutiny)
Period ended on 21 November 2009 Start negotiations with applicants end October 2009
End negotiations (CCS + OWE first batch) December 2009
Adoption of the Award Decision 9 December 2009
Signing of Grant Agreements (first batch) from December
2009 End negotiations (OWE second batch) January 2010
Signing of Grant Agreements (second batch) February 2010
Launch Call for Proposals 19 May 2009
Information meeting for applicants for the three sectors 3 June 2009
Closing date for Call for Proposals 15 July 2009
Evaluation of proposals August - November
2009 Preliminary information to the TEN-E FAC Committee
Evaluation Committee meeting to analyse the additional information/clarification received by applicants 23 November 2009
Comitology procedure: TEN-E FAC Committee for opinion 18 December 2009
Information to EP (1 month for EP scrutiny) 18 December till 21
Adoption of the Award Decision 4 March 2010
Adoption of Individual Commission Decisions from March 2010 onwards
In accordance with EEPR Regulation 13, the Commission will monitor the implementation of the Regulation and report annually to the European Parliament and the Council during the preliminary draft budget presentation The inaugural report is scheduled for spring 2010, providing insights into project implementation risks and budget absorption This analysis will inform subsequent steps and measures to ensure the effective execution of the EEPR Regulation.
By the end of 2011, the Commission will evaluate the European Energy Programme for Recovery (EEPR) to assess how effectively the allocated funds were utilized The findings of this evaluation will be reported to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee, and the Committee of the Regions.
13 Article 28 of the EEPR Regulation
Related documents; further reading
EEPR website of the European Commission http://ec.europa.eu/energy/eepr/index_en.htm
General presentation on EEPR http://ec.europa.eu/energy/grants/docs/eepr/eepr_info_day_presentation_general.pdf
Official Journal publication of the call http://eur-lex.europa.eu/JOHtml.do?uri=OJ:C:2009:114:SOM:EN:HTML
On July 13, 2009, the European Parliament and Council published Regulation (EC) No 663/2009, which establishes a program aimed at aiding economic recovery through Union financial assistance for energy-related projects This regulation is detailed in the Official Journal, Volume L200, dated July 31, 2009 For more information, visit the official document at http://eur-lex.europa.eu/JOHtml.do?uri=OJ:L:2009:200:SOM:EN:HTML.
Geographical presentation of the selected proposals
The five maps illustrate the proposals submitted for the EEPR Call that have been recommended for funding Additionally, the requested grant amounts from the successful applicants are provided.
The gas and electricity infrastructure projects highlight the inclusion of Cyprus's gas initiative and Malta's electricity project, both categorized under small isolated island initiatives This comprehensive mapping of gas interconnectors and electricity interconnectors underscores the importance of enhancing energy connectivity in these regions.