BETA

Activities of Pablo ARIAS ECHEVERRÍA related to 2020/0360(COD)

Shadow opinions (1)

OPINION on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on guidelines for trans-European energy infrastructure and repealing Regulation (EU) No 347/2013
2021/06/30
Committee: TRAN
Dossiers: 2020/0360(COD)
Documents: PDF(295 KB) DOC(160 KB)
Authors: [{'name': 'Paolo BORCHIA', 'mepid': 101039}]

Amendments (18)

Amendment 50 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1
(1) The Commission has set out, in its Communication of 11 December 2019 entitled ‘The European Green Deal’21 , a new growth strategy that aims to transform the Union into a fair and prosperous society, with a modern, resource-efficient and competitive economy, where there are no net emissions of greenhouse gases in 2050 and where economic growth is decoupled from resource use. The Commission’s communication on the Climate Target Plan22 proposing to increase the greenhouse gas emissions’ reduction level to at least 55% by 2030 - an ambition that was endorsed by the European Council on 11 December 2020 - and its underlying impact assessment confirms that the energy mix of the future will be very different from the one of today and underpins the necessity to review and if necessary to revise the energy legislation. The current energy infrastructure investments are clearly insufficient to transform and build the energy infrastructure of the future. That also means infrastructure needs to be in place to evolve and adapt itself to support the European energy transition, including rapid electrification, scaling up of renewable electricity generation, the increased use of renewable and low-carbon gases, energy system integration and a higher uptake of innovative solutions. _________________ 21 Commission Communication - The European Green Deal, COM(2019) 640 final of 11 December 2019. 22 Commission Communication - Stepping up Europe’s 2030 climate ambition, Investing in a climate-neutral future for the benefit of our people, COM(2020) 562 final of 17 September 2020
2021/04/26
Committee: TRAN
Amendment 54 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4 a (new)
(4 a) The European Council and Parliament have repeatedly stressed the need to strengthen electricity interconnections between Member States. These interconnections have multiple positive effects for the Union, such as more renewable energy integration capacity, increased security of supply and improved competition in the internal energy market. As part of the Clean Energy for All Europeans package, an agreement was reached on a 15 % electricity interconnection target in 2030. The Commission Communication of 23 November 2017 entitled ‘Strengthening Europe’s energy networks’ assesses progress towards achieving the 10 % interconnection target by 2020 and proposes ways to implement the 15 % target by 2030.
2021/04/26
Committee: TRAN
Amendment 60 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6
(6) The TEN-E policy is a central instrument in the development of an internal energy market and necessary to achieve the European Green Deal objectives. To achieve climate neutrality by 2050 and higher levels of greenhouse gas emission reductions by 2030, Europe will need a more integrated energy system, relying on higher levels of electrification and the use of hydrogen based on renewable sources and the decarbonisation of the gas sector. The TEN-E policy can ensure that the Union energy infrastructure development supports the required energy transition to climate neutrality in line with the energy efficiency first principle.
2021/04/26
Committee: TRAN
Amendment 69 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11
(11) Security of supply, as one main driver behind Regulation (EU) No 347/2013, has been significantly improved through projects of common interest. Moreover, the Commission’s climate target impact assessment27 expects the consumption of natural gas to be reduced significantly because its non-abated use is not compatible with carbon-neutrality. On the other hand, the consumption of biogas, renewable and low-carbon hydrogen and synthetic gaseous fuels will increase significantly towards 2050, which will require substantial changes for gas infrastructures to support the energy transition. Therefore, the natural gas infrastructure no longer needs the same kind of support through the TEN-E policy. The planning of energy infrastructure should reflect this changing gas landscape. is support should be aimed mainly at the progressive integration of hydrogen and renewable gases in gas networks. The planning of energy infrastructure should reflect this changing gas landscape and should condition the support so that gas infrastructure can be used in the future for hydrogen. _________________ 27 SWD(2020) 176 final
2021/04/26
Committee: TRAN
Amendment 88 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14
(14) Moreover, the Commission’s Hydrogen Strategy29 concluded that for the required deployment of hydrogen a large- scale infrastructure network is an important element that only the Union and the single market can offer. There is currently very limited dedicated infrastructure in place to transport and trade hydrogen across borders. Such should consist of a significant extent of assets converted from natural gas, complemented by new assets dedicated to hydrogen. Furthermore, the Hydrogen Strategy sets a strategic goal to increase installed electrolyser capacity to 40 GW by 2030 in order to scale up the production of renewable hydrogen and facilitate the decarbonisation of fossil-fuel dependent sectors, such as industry or transport. Therefore, the TEN-E policy should include new and repurposed hydrogen transmission infrastructure, retrofitted pipelines for regional and temporary blending solutions and storage as well as electrolyser facilities. Hydrogen transmission and storage infrastructure should also be included in the Union-wide ten-year network development plan so as to allow a comprehensive and consistent assessment of their costs and benefits for the energy system, including their contribution to sector integration and decarbonisation, with the aim of creating a hydrogen backbone for the Union. _________________ 29A hydrogen strategy for a climate- neutral Europe, COM(2020) 301 final.
2021/04/26
Committee: TRAN
Amendment 97 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 18
(18) Furthermore, to achieve the Union’s 2030 and 2050 climate and energy targets and climate neutrality objective, Europe needs to significantly scale up renewable electricity generation, also in the islands and the outermost regions. The existing infrastructure categories for electricity transmission and storage are crucial for the integration of the significant increase in renewable electricity generation in the power grid. In addition, that requires stepping up investment in offshore renewable energy30 . Coordinating long- term planning and development of offshore and onshore electricity grids should also be addressed. In particular, offshore infrastructure planning should move away from the project-by-project approach towards a coordinated comprehensive approach ensuring the sustainable development of integrated offshore grids in line with the offshore renewable potential of each sea basin, environmental protection and other uses of the sea. _________________ 30 Offshore Strategy Communication
2021/04/26
Committee: TRAN
Amendment 111 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1
1. This Regulation lays down guidelines for the timely development and interoperability of the priority corridors and areas of trans-European energy infrastructure set out in Annex I (‘energy infrastructure priority corridors and areas’) that contribute to the Union’s 2030 climate and energy targets, as set in article 2(11) of Regulation (EU) on the Governance of the Energy Union and Climate Action, and the climate neutrality objective by 2050.
2021/04/26
Committee: TRAN
Amendment 131 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point c – point ii a (new)
(ii a) is located on the territory of one Member State, on islands non sufficiently connected to the trans-European energy networks, falling under the definition of small connected systems or isolated systems according to Directive 2019/944, and makes a significant contribution to the Union´s 2030 climate and energy targets.
2021/04/26
Committee: TRAN
Amendment 141 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 3 – point a – point i
(i) market integration, including through lifting the isolation of at least oneby increasing the level of interconnection between Member State ands, reducing energy infrastructure bottlenecks;, increasing competition and system flexibility;
2021/04/26
Committee: TRAN
Amendment 208 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 4
4. Projects of common interest falling under the categories set out in points (1)(d), (2), (4), (4a) and (5) of Annex II shall also be eligible for Union financial assistance in the form of grants for works, where the concerned project promoters can clearly demonstrate significant positive externalities, such as security of supply, system flexibility, solidarity or innovation, generated by the projects and provide clear evidence of their lack of commercial viability, in accordance with the cost- benefit analysis, the business plan and assessments carried out, in particular by potential investors or creditors or, where applicable, a national regulatory authority.
2021/04/26
Committee: TRAN
Amendment 233 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – Part 4 – point 13 a (new)
(13 a) Integration of small connected or isolated systems and islands, including outermost regions: Development of electricity transmission and storage infrastructures (as referred to in point a) of the third paragraph of Article 4) contributing to a better interconnection of islands and to a more efficient integration of renewables and overall energy system integration.
2021/04/26
Committee: TRAN
Amendment 240 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex II – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point a
(a) any of the following equipment or installation aiming at enabling and facilitating the integration of renewable and low-carbon gases (including biomethane or hydrogen) into the network: retrofitting of gas transmission, storage and LNG infrastructures enabling to increase the blend of hydrogen, digital systems and components integrating ICT, control systems and sensor technologies to enable the interactive and intelligent monitoring, metering, quality control and management of gas production, transmission, distribution and consumption within a gas network. Furthermore, such projects may also include equipment to enable reverse flows from the distribution to the transmission level and related necessary upgrades to the existing network.
2021/04/26
Committee: TRAN
Amendment 246 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex II – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point d – paragraph 1
Any of the assets listed in points (a), (b), (c), and (d) may be newly constructed assets or assets converted or repurposed from natural gas dedicated to hydrogen, or a combination of the two.
2021/04/26
Committee: TRAN
Amendment 253 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex II – paragraph 1 – point 4 – point a
(a) electrolysers that: (i) have at least (a) 100 MW capacity60 MW capacity and 30 MW for innovative midstream value chains (e.g. maritime routes via liquid organic hydrogen carriers, liquid hydrogen or ammonia), (ii) the production complies with the life cycle greenhouse gas emissions savings requirement of 70 % relative to a fossil fuel comparator of 94g CO2e/MJ as set out in Article 25(2) and Annex V of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council.60 Life cycle greenhouse gas emissions savings are calculated using the methodology referred to in Article 28(5) of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 or, alternatively, using ISO 14067 or ISO 14064-1. Quantified life-cycle GHG emission savings are verified in line with Article 30 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 where applicable, or by an independent third party, and (iii) have also a network-related function; _________________ 60 OJ L 328, 21.12.2018, p. 82.
2021/04/26
Committee: TRAN
Amendment 256 #
(b) related equipment, including pipeline connections to the gas network.
2021/04/26
Committee: TRAN
Amendment 257 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex II – paragraph 1 – point 4 a (new)
(4 a) concerning gas: a) transmission pipelines for the transport of natural gas and biomethane that form part of a network which mainly contains high-pressure pipelines, excluding high- pressure pipelines used for upstream or local distribution of natural gas; b) underground storage facilities connected to the above-mentioned high- pressure gas pipelines; c) reception, storage and regasification or decompression facilities for liquefied natural gas (LNG) or compressed natural gas (CNG); d) any equipment or installation essential for the system to operate safely, securely and efficiently or to enable bi-directional capacity, including compressor stations; Any of the assets listed in points a), b), c), and d) shall avoid a gas lock-in risk and ensure its compatibility with pure hydrogen through cost-efficient conversion or repurposing;
2021/04/26
Committee: TRAN
Amendment 268 #
(f) for electrolysers, the project provides at least 1060 MW installed capacity and the brings benefits directly or indirectly to at least two Member States;. For innovative midstream value chains, the project provides at least 30 MW installed capacity and brings benefits directly or indirectly to at least two Member States. The project can reach these capacities through several phases and/or projects.
2021/04/26
Committee: TRAN
Amendment 291 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex V – point 4
(4) it shall give guidance for the development and use of network and market modelling necessary for the cost- benefit analysis. The modelling shall allow for a full assessment of economic, including market integration, security of supply, improving capacity to integrate renewable production, cross-sectorial investment optimisation and competition, social and environmental and climate impacts, including the cross-sectorial efficiency and sustainability impacts. The methodology shall include details on why, what and how each of the benefits and costs are calculated.
2021/04/26
Committee: TRAN