Projects of common interest – GridLink Interconnector

GridLink as a Project of Common Interest

The European Commission awarded GridLink the status of Project of Common Interest (PCI) in 2017. This recognises the project’s key contribution to realising Europe-wide goals related to energy policy and climate change.

What PCIs do

PCIs are key infrastructure projects, especially cross-border projects, that link the energy systems of European countries. They help the European Commission to achieve its energy policy and climate change objectives for:

Affordable, secure and sustainable energy for all citizens;
The long-term decarbonisation of the economy in accordance with the Paris Agreement.

Becoming a PCI means a project has demonstrated it will:

Have a significant impact on energy markets and market integration in at least two EU countries;
Boost competition on energy markets and help energy security by diversifying sources;
Contribute to climate change and energy goals by integrating renewables.

GridLink lies within the Northern Seas Offshore Grid priority corridor designated by the European Commission. This recognises the particular importance of projects in the area and gave the project preference in the PCI award process.

How PCIs work

PCIs may benefit from their status in several ways, including:

Accelerated permit granting;
Having a single national authority designated to facilitate the obtaining of permits;
Improved regulatory conditions;
Streamlined environmental assessment processes that also reduce administrative costs;
Increased public participation via consultations;
Increased visibility to investors.

PCIs also have the right to apply for funding from the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), a funding initiative developed to support investment into strategic infrastructure projects.

Our PCI status

The European Commission announces a new list of PCIs every two years. GridLink secured its status in 2017.

The award was confirmed by the publication of Commission Delegated Regulation No. 2018/540 of 23 November 2017 amending Regulation (EU) No 347/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the Union list of projects of common interest in the Official Journal on 6th April 2018.

Additional information can be found below:

National Competent Authorities

In accordance with Regulation (EU) No 347/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the Union list of projects of common interest (known as the ‘TEN-E Regulation’), each country connected by GridLink has nominated a National Competent Authority (NCA) responsible for overseeing the implementation of PCIs.

UK National Competent Authority:

Ms. Abbey Pennington
Marine Management Organisation (MMO)
abbey.pennington@marinemanagement.org.uk

Note: The Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has delegated authority to co-ordinate the TEN-E process to the MMO

FRANCE National Competent Authority:

Mme. Sidonie Blanchard
Chargée de mission infrastructures de transport d’électricité, Direction Générale de l’Energie et du Climat (MTES, DGEC)
Sidonie.Blanchard@developpement-durable.gouv.fr

Please find a link to guidance on the implementation TEN-E Regulation to PCIs in the UK below:

THE TEN-E REGULATION EU347/2013 Manual of Procedures: The permitting process for Projects of Common Interest in the UK (EN)