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PR - Across the EU, there is a need for massive investments in new energy networks. The energy supplies we rely on for our everyday lives depend on complex and often costly infrastructure projects.  Such projects are needed for a wide range of reasons: to maintain today's networks, to make new networks which can transport alternative forms of energy, such as renewable energy, to link up different parts of the EU so that they can share a larger pool of energy resources, to make it possible for local communities or even single households to contribute electricity to the grid and to improve the import and transmission networks for oil and gas. The Green Paper includes a number of examples of major EU network projects which the EU could promote.

The Commission invites your views on what the EU should do to stimulate the necessary investments and help advance projects which can help Europe secure reliable, affordable and sustainable energy supplies for the future. It also specifically seeks suggestions on how to revise the TransEuropean Networks for Energy programme to make it more effective. 

Submit your comments by 31 March 2009 to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

You may structure your response according to the following questions:

Network Policy

1. What do you consider to be the main barriers to the development of a European grid and gas network? How far can they be addressed at national/regional level, and when should the EU act?
2. What circumstances justify an EU intervention in local planning disputes related to energy infrastructure? In those circumstances, what should the EU do?
3. Is a more focussed and structured approach to research and demonstration relating to European networks needed? How should it look?
4. What do you think is the most important activity for the EU in network development?
5. Should the EU be more involved in facilitating infrastructure projects in third countries? If so, in what way?
   
   TEN-E
   
6. What sort of support should the EU provide to developers of new energy networks to have the greatest impact, considering that resources are limited? Is the approach of TEN-E still relevant? How can the EU help improve the conditions for investment?
7. In view of the proposed revision to the TEN-E guidelines, how can the EU improve the focus, effectiveness and impact of the TEN-E policy within its existing budget?
8. Should TEN-E be extended to oil infrastructure? Should it also be extended to new networks for CO2, biogas or other networks?
9. Do you have views on, or suggestions for new priority projects which the EU should give backing to?
10. Would it help TEN-E/EU to gain more impact and visibility if it was turned into an operational security of supply and solidarity instrument?
11. What additional EU measures beyond those mentioned in this Green Paper would help secure a sustainable infrastructure for the EU?