Connecting Europe funding proposals invited

The European Commission (EC) has released a second call for proposals for funding from its ‘Connecting Europe’ scheme to build energy infrastructure between European Union (EU) member states. The EC says it has €550mn available in funding to help projects involving energy companies. The deadline for applications is 30 September 2015, with funding decisions being made later this year.

Only proposals relating to 248 previously approved projects of common interest can benefit, many of which are new gas lines. Examples include the proposed Poland–Lithuania gas interconnector; and a Latvia–Estonia line; a link between Bulgaria and Turkey; another pipeline from Bulgaria to Austria via Romania and Hungary; an Aegean Sea LNG import terminal; a regasification LNG plant in Croatia; and underground gas storage in Northern Ireland.

EU Energy Commissioner Miguel Arias Cañete said: ‘Well-connected and reliable energy networks are crucial to build a resilient Energy Union.’ The entire 2014–2020 programme has €5.35bn available for energy projects, mostly for grants, although some money will fund studies to help develop additional financing. Most grants will cover 50% of costs, with up to 75% covered for priority projects linking poorly connected areas and for projects deemed highly innovative.