The first call of 2016 for funding for energy infrastructure projects will open this March. The funding, to be made available under the Connecting Europe Facility, is expected to amount to €200 million.
This will be the first of two calls for proposals planned for 2016, with the second call expected to be announced in June 2016 with a total of €600 million likely to be available.
The projects which can apply to be selected for funding must feature on the European Commission's list of 195 'Projects of Common Interest' (PCIs). These projects are considered as essential to completing the EU's internal energy market, boosting competition and contributing to the EU's climate and energy goals.
In 2015, a total of €650 million was granted to PCIs via two calls for proposals.
Funding for PCIs is intended to speed-up the implementation of key transeuropean energy infrastructure, and to attract private investment. PCIs may also benefit from fast-tracked planning and permit granting, improved regulatory conditions, and lower administrative costs due to smoother environmental assessment processes.
The March 2016 call for proposals will be officially published once the CEF Committee's work program has been published in the EU's Official Journal which contains all official EU legislation and documents.
Source: © European Union, 1995-2016