Vienna 12 December 2024
The first Projects of Energy Community Interest (PECIs) have been adopted today at the Energy Community Ministerial Council in Vienna. With the participation of Commissioner for Energy and Housing Dan Jørgensen – his first official meeting outside Brussels – the meeting also approved a recommendation aiming to enhance the deployment of renewable energy projects in Energy Community countries.
Comprising 5 electricity and 1 storage project involving 7 Energy Community members (Ukraine, Moldova, Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, and Kosovo*), this first PECI list follows the application of the Trans-European Network for Energy (TEN-E) Regulation in the Energy Community (with certain adaptations) since the end of last year and comes at the end of a rigorous selection process. The benefits of the PECI status are manyfold – similar to the status of Projects of Common Interest (PCIs), for projects between EU countries, and Projects of Mutual Interest (PMIs), for projects between an EU country and a neighbour. Above all, the status itself is perceived as a label of enhanced credibility, projects benefit from accelerated permitting and are eligible for EU financial support (inter alia under EU financial programs listed in the adapted TEN-E Regulation).
The meeting also discussed the Electricity Integration Package (EIP), stressing the importance of its transposition as a key step towards integrating Energy Community electricity markets with the EU. Ministers urged the finalisation of the overdue EIP transposition and implementation, supported by the Secretariat, in the first quarter of 2025. The Council welcomed the progress made by the different parties in decarbonising their energy sectors and finalising National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs) to guide 2030 targets and attract key investments. The meeting reaffirmed the intention to propose an update to the Decarbonisation Roadmap (including the commitment to climate neutrality by 2050), with a view to possible adoption next year.
High and extra-high voltage overhead transmission lines
- Bosnia & Herzegovina (BA)/ Montenegro (ME): Increased capacity between Trebinja- Perućica)
- Moldova / Ukraine (UA): Balti-Dnestrovsk connection
- Trans-Balkan corridor: Bajina Basta (Serbia) – Višegrad (BA)/Pljevlja (ME)
- Albania-Kosovo*: Reconfiguration/new interconnection
- Albania: Closing the 400kV internal ring
Storage
- Ukraine: DTEK storage
Related links
- Energy Community press release (12 December 2024)
- Energy Community webpage – European Commission
Source – EU Commission
Energy Community’s 22nd Ministerial Council accelerates integration with the EU Electricity Market
Vienna, 12 December 2024
Today in Vienna, the Energy Community’s 22nd Ministerial Council brought together Ministers and high-level representatives from across the region to set priorities for 2025.
Among the key outcomes was the adoption of a recommendation to accelerate renewable energy deployment and the approval of the inaugural list of Projects of Energy Community Interest. These initiatives will help Contracting Parties advance their integration into the EU’s single electricity market.
The meeting was opened by Staša Košarac, Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of Bosnia and Herzegovina and holder of the Energy Community Presidency this year, alongside European Commissioner for Energy & Housing Dan Jørgensen and Mechthild Wörsdörfer, Deputy Director General of DG ENER.
Electricity Integration Package (EIP)
The Ministerial Council stressed the importance of transposing the EIP as a key step towards integrating Contracting Parties’ electricity markets with the EU. It urged finalisation of the overdue EIP transposition and implementation, supported by the Secretariat, in Q1 2025.
European Commissioner Dan Jørgensen, highlighted the unique opportunity for Contracting Parties to benefit from the EU’s internal electricity market before accession, recalling the unwavering support from the EU and the new momentum for enlargement.
Director Artur Lorkowski reinforced the Commissioner’s message by saying, “The Electricity Integration Package offers an accelerated integration with the EU markets now, paving the way for stronger EU accession prospects for our region.”
Submitting the Market Coupling Operator Integration Plan (MCO IP), aligning day-ahead and intraday market operations, was highlighted as essential for joining the Single Day-Ahead Coupling (SDAC) and Single Intraday Coupling (SIDC) mechanisms, ensuring efficient cross-border energy flows.
Projects of Energy Community Interest (PECI)
The Council adopted the 2024 PECI list, the first one of its kind, concluding a rigorous selection process that sets the stage for transformative energy investments to enhance infrastructure, promote regional integration, and attract further investment. The Ministerial Council will update the PECI list every two years to ensure alignment with the region’s priorities.
Decarbonisation and Carbon Pricing
The Contracting Parties have made progress in decarbonising their energy sectors, finalising National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs) to guide 2030 targets and attract key investments.
Deputy Director General of DG CLIMA, Jan Dusík presented the climate and economic benefits of introducing carbon pricing in the Contracting Parties, which can also prepare for accession to the EU.
Looking ahead, the Ministerial Council urged Contracting Parties to analyse the presented carbon pricing scenarios and indicate their preferences to the European Commission and Secretariat ahead of next year’s Informal Ministerial Council. This input shall inform a proposal for Decarbonisation Roadmap update that will also include the commitment to climate neutrality by 2050, with a view of possible adoption in 2025.
Finally, the Ministerial Council welcomed Greece’s invitation to host the 20th anniversary of the Energy Community Treaty in Athens on 17 July 2025, alongside the annual informal meeting.
Source – Energy Community