1.   This Regulation lays down guidelines for the timely development and interoperability of the priority corridors and areas of trans-European energy infrastructure (energy infrastructure priority corridors and areas) set out in Annex I that contribute to ensuring climate change mitigation, in particular achieving the Union’s 2030 targets for energy and climate and its climate neutrality objective by 2050 at the latest, and to ensuring interconnections, energy security, market and system integration and competition that benefits all Member States, as well as affordability of energy prices.

2.   In particular, this Regulation:

1.   Regional groups (Groups) shall be established in accordance with the process set out in Section 1 of Annex III. The membership of each Group shall be based on each priority corridor and area and their respective geographical coverage as set out in Annex I. Decision-making power in the Groups shall be restricted to Member States and the Commission (decision-making body), and based on consensus.

2.   Each Group shall adopt its own rules of procedure, having regard to the provisions set out in Annex III.

3.   The decision-making body of each Group shall adopt a regional list of projects drawn up in accordance with the process set out in Section 2 of Annex III, the contribution of each project to implementing the energy infrastructure priority corridors and areas set out in Annex I and their fulfilment of the criteria set out in Article 4.

Where a Group draws up its regional list:

4.   The Commission is empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 20 of this Regulation in order to establish the Union list, subject to the second paragraph of Article 172 TFEU.

In exercising its power, the Commission shall ensure that the Union list is established every two years, on the basis of the regional lists adopted by the decision-making bodies of the Groups established pursuant to Section 1, point (1), of Annex III, following the procedure set out in paragraph 3 of this Article.

The Commission shall adopt the delegated act establishing the first Union list pursuant to this Regulation by 30 November 2023.

If a delegated act adopted by the Commission pursuant to this paragraph cannot enter into force due to an objection expressed either by the European Parliament or the Council pursuant to Article 20(6), the Commission shall immediately convene the Groups in order to draw up new regional lists taking into account the reasons for the objection. The Commission shall adopt a new delegated act establishing the Union list as soon as possible.

5.   When establishing the Union list by combining the regional lists referred to in paragraph 3, the Commission shall, taking due account of the deliberations of the Groups:

6.   Projects of common interest that fall under the energy infrastructure categories set out in point (1)(a), (b), (c), (d) and (f) of Annex II to this Regulation shall become an integral part of the relevant regional investment plans under Article 34 of Regulation (EU) 2019/943 and of the relevant national ten-year network development plans under Article 51 of Directive (EU) 2019/944 and other national infrastructure plans, as appropriate. Those projects of common interest shall be conferred the highest possible priority within each of those plans. This paragraph shall not apply to competing projects, projects that have not reached a sufficient degree of maturity to provide a project-specific cost-benefit analysis as referred to in Section 2, point (1)(d), of Annex III or projects of mutual interest.

7.   Projects of common interest that fall under the energy infrastructure categories set out in point (1)(a), (b), (c), (d) and (f) of Annex II and that are competing projects or projects that have not reached a sufficient degree of maturity to provide a project-specific cost-benefit analysis as referred to in Section 2, point (1)(d), of Annex III may be included in the relevant regional investment plans, the national ten-year network development plans and other national infrastructure plans, as appropriate, as projects under consideration.

1.   A project of common interest shall meet the following general criteria:

2.   A project of mutual interest shall meet the following general criteria:

As regards projects for the storage of carbon dioxide falling under the energy infrastructure category set out in point (5)(c) of Annex II, the project shall be necessary to allow the cross-border transport and storage of carbon dioxide and the third country where the project is located shall have an adequate legal framework based on demonstrated effective enforcement mechanisms to ensure that standards and safeguards apply to the project, preventing any carbon dioxide leaks, and concerning climate, human health and ecosystems as regards the safety and effectiveness of the permanent storage of carbon-dioxide, which are at least at the same level as those provided by Union law.

3.   The following specific criteria shall apply to projects of common interest falling within specific energy infrastructure categories:

4.   For projects falling under the energy infrastructure categories set out in Annex II, the criteria set out in paragraph 3 of this Article shall be assessed in accordance with the indicators set out in points (3) to (8) of Annex IV.

5.   In order to facilitate the assessment of all projects that could be eligible as projects of common interest and that could be included in a regional list, each Group shall assess each project’s contribution to the implementation of the same energy infrastructure priority corridor or area in a transparent and objective manner. Each Group shall determine its assessment method on the basis of the aggregated contribution to the criteria referred to in paragraph 3. That assessment shall lead to a ranking of projects for internal use of the Group. Neither the regional list nor the Union list shall contain any ranking, nor shall the ranking be used for any subsequent purpose except as described in Section 2, point (16), of Annex III.

In assessing projects, in order to ensure a consistent assessment approach among the Groups, each Group shall give due consideration to:

As regards smart electricity grids and smart gas grids projects falling under the energy infrastructure categories set out in point (1)(e) and point (2) of Annex II, ranking shall be carried out for those projects that affect the same two Member States, and due consideration shall also be given to the number of users affected by the project, the annual energy consumption and the share of generation from non-dispatchable resources in the area covered by those users.

1.   Project promoters shall draw up an implementation plan for projects on the Union list, including a timetable for each of the following:

2.   TSOs, DSOs and other operators shall cooperate with each other in order to facilitate the development of projects on the Union list in their area.

3.   The Agency and the Groups concerned shall monitor the progress achieved in implementing the projects on the Union list and, where necessary, make recommendations to facilitate their implementation. The Groups may request additional information in accordance with paragraphs 4, 5 and 6, convene meetings with the relevant parties and invite the Commission to verify the information provided on site.

4.   By 31 December of each year following the year of the inclusion of a project on the Union list, project promoters shall submit an annual report, for each project falling under the energy infrastructure categories set out in Annex II, to the national competent authority referred to in Article 8(1).

That report shall include details of:

5.   By 28 of February of each year following the year in which the project promoter has to submit the report referred to in paragraph 4 of this Article, the competent authorities referred to in Article 8(1) shall submit to the Agency and to the relevant Group the report referred to in paragraph 4 of this Article supplemented with information on the progress and, where relevant, on delays in the implementation of projects on the Union list located on their respective territory with regard to the permit granting processes, and on the reasons for such delays. The contribution of the competent authorities to the report shall be clearly marked as such and drafted without modifying the text introduced by the project promoters.

6.   By 30 April of each year in which a new Union list should be adopted, the Agency shall submit to the Groups a consolidated report for the projects on the Union list that are subject to the competence of national regulatory authorities, evaluating the progress achieved and expected changes in project costs, and, where appropriate, make recommendations on how to overcome the delays and difficulties encountered. That consolidated report shall also evaluate, in accordance with Article 11, point (b), of Regulation (EU) 2019/942, the consistent implementation of the Union-wide network development plans with regard to the energy infrastructure priority corridors and areas set out in Annex I.

In duly justified cases, the Agency may request additional information necessary for carrying out its tasks set out in this paragraph.

7.   Where the commissioning of a project on the Union list is delayed when compared to the implementation plan, other than for overriding reasons beyond the control of the project promoter, the following measures shall apply:

8.   A project on the Union list may be removed from the Union list in accordance with the procedure set out in Article 3(4) if its inclusion in that list was based on incorrect information which was a determining factor for that inclusion, or the project does not comply with Union law.

9.   Projects which are no longer on the Union list shall lose all rights and obligations linked to the status of project of common interest or project of mutual interest provided for in this Regulation.

However, a project which is no longer on the Union list but for which an application file has been accepted for examination by the competent authority shall maintain the rights and obligations laid down in Chapter III, except where the project has been removed from the Union list for the reasons set out in paragraph 8 of this Article.

10.   This Article shall be without prejudice to any Union financial assistance granted to any project on the Union list prior to its removal from the Union list.

1.   Where a project of common interest encounters significant implementation difficulties, the Commission may designate, in agreement with the Member States concerned, a European coordinator for a period of up to one year, renewable twice.

2.   The European coordinator shall:

The Commission shall transmit the report of the European coordinator referred to in point (e) to the European Parliament and the Groups concerned.

3.   The European coordinator shall be chosen following an open, non-discriminatory and transparent process and on the basis of a candidate’s experience with regard to the specific tasks assigned to him or her for the projects concerned.

4.   The decision designating the European coordinator shall specify the terms of reference, detailing the duration of the mandate, the specific tasks and corresponding deadlines, and the methodology to be followed. The coordination effort shall be proportionate to the complexity and estimated costs of the projects.

5.   The Member States concerned shall fully cooperate with the European coordinator in the execution of the tasks referred to in paragraphs 2 and 4.

1.   The adoption of the Union list shall establish, for the purposes of any decisions issued in the permit granting process, the necessity of projects on the Union list from an energy policy and climate perspective, without prejudice to the exact location, routing or technology of the project.

This paragraph shall not apply to competing projects or to projects that have not reached a sufficient degree of maturity to provide a project specific cost-benefit analysis as referred to in Section 2, point (1)(d), of Annex III.

2.   For the purpose of ensuring efficient administrative processing of the application files related to projects on the Union list, project promoters and all authorities concerned shall ensure that those files are treated in the most rapid way possible in accordance with Union and national law.

3.   Without prejudice to obligations provided for in Union law, projects on the Union list shall be granted the status of the highest national significance possible, where such a status exists in national law, and be appropriately treated in the permit granting processes and, if national law so provides, in spatial planning, including those processes relating to environmental assessments, in the manner such treatment is provided for in national law applicable to the corresponding type of energy infrastructure.

4.   All dispute resolution procedures, litigation, appeals and judicial remedies related to projects on the Union list in front of any national courts, tribunals, panels, including mediation or arbitration, where they exist in national law, shall be treated as urgent, if and to the extent to which national law provides for such urgency procedures.

5.   Member States shall assess, taking due account of the existing guidance issued by the Commission on streamlining the environmental assessment procedures for projects on the Union list, which legislative and non-legislative measures are necessary to streamline the environmental assessment procedures and to ensure their coherent application and shall inform the Commission of the result of that assessment.

6.   By 24 March 2023, Member States shall take the non-legislative measures that they have identified under paragraph 5.

7.   By 24 June 2023, Member States shall take the legislative measures that they have identified under paragraph 5. Those legislative measures shall be without prejudice to obligations provided for in Union law.

8.   With regard to the environmental impacts addressed in Article 6(4) of Directive 92/43/EEC and Article 4(7) of Directive 2000/60/EC, provided that all the conditions set out in those Directives are fulfilled, projects on the Union list shall be considered as being of public interest from an energy policy perspective, and may be considered as having an overriding public interest.

Where the opinion of the Commission is required in accordance with Directive 92/43/EEC, the Commission and the national competent authority referred to in Article 9 of this Regulation shall ensure that the decision with regard to the overriding public interest of a project is taken within the time limits set in Article 10(1) and (2) of this Regulation.

This paragraph shall not apply to competing projects or to projects that have not reached a sufficient degree of maturity to provide a project specific cost-benefit analysis as referred to in Section 2, point (1)(d), of Annex III.

1.   By 23 June 2022, each Member State shall update, where necessary, the designation of one national competent authority which shall be responsible for facilitating and coordinating the permit granting process for projects on the Union list.

2.   The responsibilities of the national competent authority referred to in paragraph 1 or the tasks related to it may be delegated to, or carried out by, another authority, per project on the Union list or per particular category of projects on the Union list, provided that:

The national competent authority may retain the responsibility to establish time limits, without prejudice to the time limits set in Article 10(1) and (2).

3.   Without prejudice to relevant requirements under Union and international law and, to the extent it does not contradict them, national law, the national competent authority shall facilitate the issuing of the comprehensive decision. The comprehensive decision shall be issued within the time limits set in Article 10(1) and (2) and in accordance with one of the following schemes:

Member States shall implement the schemes in a manner which, according to national law, contributes to the most efficient and timely issuing of the comprehensive decision.

The competence of the authorities concerned can either be incorporated into the competence of the national competent authority designated in accordance with paragraph 1 or the authorities concerned can maintain, to a certain extent, their independent competence in line with the respective permitting scheme chosen by the Member State in accordance with this paragraph to facilitate the issuing of the comprehensive decision and cooperate with the national competent authority accordingly.

Where an authority concerned does not expect to deliver an individual decision within the set time limit, that authority shall immediately inform the national competent authority, providing reasons for the delay. Subsequently, the national competent authority shall set another time limit within which that individual decision shall be issued, in compliance with the overall time limits set in Article 10(1) and (2).

Member States shall choose among the three schemes referred to in points (a), (b) and (c) of the first subparagraph to facilitate and coordinate their procedures and shall implement the scheme which is most effective for them in light of national specificities in their planning and permit granting processes. Where a Member State chooses the collaborative scheme, it shall inform the Commission of its reasons.

4.   Member States may apply the schemes set out in paragraph 3 to onshore and offshore projects on the Union list.

5.   Where a project on the Union list requires decisions to be taken in two or more Member States, the relevant national competent authorities shall take all necessary steps for efficient and effective cooperation and communication among themselves, including the steps referred to in Article 10(6). Member States shall endeavour to provide joint procedures, particularly with regard to the assessment of environmental impacts.

6.   The relevant national competent authorities of the Member States involved in a project on the Union list belonging to one of the priority offshore grid corridors set out in Section 2 of Annex I shall jointly designate among themselves a unique point of contact for project promoters per project, which shall be responsible for facilitating the exchange of information between the national competent authorities on the permit granting process of the project, with the aim of facilitating that process as well as the issuance of decisions by the relevant national competent authorities. The unique points of contact may act as a repository aggregating the existing documents pertaining to the projects.

1.   By 24 October 2023, the Member State or national competent authority shall, where applicable, in collaboration with other authorities concerned, publish an updated manual of procedures for the permit granting process applicable to projects on the Union list to include at least the information specified in point (1) of Annex VI. The manual shall not be legally binding, but it shall refer to or quote relevant legal provisions. The national competent authorities shall, where relevant, cooperate and find synergies with the authorities of neighbouring countries with a view to exchanging good practices and facilitating the permit granting process, in particular for the development of the manual of procedures.

2.   Without prejudice to environmental law and any requirements under the Aarhus Convention, the Espoo Convention and relevant Union law, all parties involved in the permit granting process shall follow the principles for public participation set out in point (3) of Annex VI.

3.   The project promoter shall, within an indicative period of three months following the start of the permit granting process pursuant to Article 10(3), draw up and submit a concept for public participation to the national competent authority, following the process outlined in the manual referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article and in line with the guidelines set out in Annex VI. The national competent authority shall request modifications or approve the concept for public participation within three months of receipt of the concept, taking into consideration any form of public participation and consultation that took place before the start of the permit granting process, to the extent that such public participation and consultation has fulfilled the requirements of this Article.

Where the project promoter intends to make significant changes to an approved concept for public participation, it shall inform the national competent authority thereof. In that case the national competent authority may request modifications.

4.   Where it is not already required under national law at the same or higher standards, the project promoter or, where required by national law, the national competent authority shall carry out at least one public consultation, before the project promoter submits the final and complete application file to the national competent authority pursuant to Article 10(7). That public consultation shall be without prejudice to any public consultation to be carried out after submission of the request for development consent pursuant to Article 6(2) of Directive 2011/92/EU. The public consultation shall inform the stakeholders referred to in point (3)(a) of Annex VI about the project at an early stage and shall help to identify the most suitable location, trajectory or technology, including, where relevant, in view of adequate climate adaptation considerations for the project, all impacts relevant under Union and national law, and the relevant issues to be addressed in the application file. The public consultation shall comply with the minimum requirements set out in point (5) of Annex VI. Without prejudice to the procedural and transparency rules in Member States, the project promoter shall publish on the website referred to in paragraph 7 of this Article a report explaining how the opinions expressed in the public consultations were taken into account by showing the amendments made in the location, trajectory and design of the project, or by providing reasons why such opinions have not been taken into account.

The project promoter shall prepare a report summarising the results of activities related to the participation of the public prior to the submission of the application file, including those activities that took place before the start of the permit granting process.

The project promoter shall submit the reports referred to in the first and second subparagraphs together with the application file to the national competent authority. The comprehensive decision shall take due account of the results of these reports.

5.   For cross-border projects involving two or more Member States, the public consultations carried out pursuant to paragraph 4 in each of the Member States concerned shall take place within a period of no more than two months from the date on which the first public consultation started.

6.   For projects likely to have a significant transboundary impact in one or more neighbouring Member States, to which Article 7 of Directive 2011/92/EU and the Espoo Convention are applicable, the relevant information shall be made available to the national competent authorities of the neighbouring Member States concerned. The national competent authorities of the neighbouring Member States concerned shall indicate, in the notification process where appropriate, whether they, or any other authority concerned, wishes to participate in the relevant public consultation procedures.

7.   The project promoter shall establish and regularly update a dedicated project website with relevant information about the project of common interest, which shall be linked to the Commission website and the transparency platform referred to in Article 23 and which shall meet the requirements specified in point (6) of Annex VI. Commercially sensitive information shall be kept confidential.

Project promoters shall also publish relevant information by other appropriate information means open to the public.

1.   The permit granting process shall consist of two procedures:

With regard to point (b) of the first subparagraph, where appropriate, Member States may provide for a statutory permit granting procedure that is shorter than 18 months.

2.   The national competent authority shall ensure that the combined duration of the two procedures referred to in paragraph 1 does not exceed a period of 42 months.

However, where the national competent authority considers that one or both of the procedures will not be completed within the time limits set in paragraph 1, it may extend one or both of those time limits before their expiry and on a case-by-case basis. The national competent authority shall not extend the combined duration of the two procedures for more than nine months other than in exceptional circumstances.

Where the national competent authority extends the time limits, it shall inform the Group concerned and present it with the measures taken, or to be taken, for the conclusion of the permit granting process, with the least possible delay. The Group may request that the national competent authority reports regularly on progress achieved in that regard and reasons for any delays.

3.   For the purpose of establishing the start of the permit granting process, the project promoters shall notify the project to the national competent authority of each Member State concerned in written form and shall include a reasonably detailed outline of the project.

Within three months of receipt of the notification, the national competent authority shall acknowledge or, if it considers the project not to be mature enough to enter the permit granting process, reject the notification, in writing, including on behalf of other authorities concerned. In the event of a rejection, the national competent authority shall provide reasons for its decision, including on behalf of other authorities concerned. The date of signature of the acknowledgement of the notification by the national competent authority shall mark the start of the permit granting process. Where two or more Member States are concerned, the date of the acceptance of the last notification by the national competent authority concerned shall mark the start of the permit granting process.

The national competent authorities shall ensure that the permit granting process is accelerated in line with this Chapter for each category of projects of common interest. To that end, the national competent authorities shall adapt their requirements for the start of the permit granting process and for the acceptance of the submitted application file, to make them fit for projects that due to their nature, dimension or lack of requirement for environmental assessment under national law, may require less authorisations and approvals for reaching the ready-to-build phase. Member States may decide that the pre-application procedure referred to in paragraphs 1 and 6 of this Article is not required for the projects referred to in this subparagraph.

4.   The national competent authorities shall take into consideration in the permit granting process any valid studies conducted and permits or authorisations issued for a given project on the Union list before the project entered the permit granting process in accordance with this Article, and shall not require duplicate studies and permits or authorisations.

5.   In Member States where the determination of a route or location undertaken solely for the specific purpose of a planned project, including the planning of specific corridors for grid infrastructures, cannot be included in the process leading to the comprehensive decision, the corresponding decision shall be taken within a separate period of six months, starting on the date of submission of the final and complete application documents by the promoter.

In the circumstances described in the first subparagraph of this paragraph, the extension referred to in paragraph 2, second subparagraph, shall be reduced to six months, other than in exceptional circumstances, including for the procedure referred to in this paragraph.

6.   The pre-application procedure shall comprise the following steps:

The pre-application procedure shall include the preparation of any environmental reports by the project promoters, as necessary, including the climate adaptation documentation.

Within three months of submission of the missing information referred to in point (c) of the first subparagraph, the competent authority shall accept for examination the application in written form or on digital platforms, starting the statutory permit granting procedure referred to in paragraph 1, point (b). Requests for additional information may be made, but only where they are justified by new circumstances.

7.   The project promoter shall ensure that the application file is complete and adequate and seek the national competent authority’s opinion on that matter as early as possible during the permit granting process. The project promoter shall cooperate fully with the national competent authority in order to comply with the time limits set in this Regulation.

8.   Member States shall endeavour to ensure that any amendments to the national law do not lead to prolonging any permit granting process started before the entry into force of those amendments. With a view of maintaining an accelerated permit granting process for projects on the Union list, national competent authorities shall adequately adapt the schedule established in line with paragraph 6, point (b), of this Article to ensure, to the extent possible, that the time limits for the permit granting process set in this Article are not exceeded.

9.   The time limits set in this Article shall be without prejudice to obligations arising from Union and international law, and without prejudice to administrative appeal procedures and judicial remedies before a court or tribunal.

The time limits set in this Article for any of the permit granting procedures shall be without prejudice to any shorter time limits set by Member States.

1.   The ENTSO for Electricity and the ENTSO for Gas shall draft consistent single sector draft methodologies, including the energy network and market model referred to in paragraph 10 of this Article, for a harmonised energy system-wide cost-benefit analysis at Union level for projects on the Union list falling under the energy infrastructure categories set out in point (1)(a), (b), (d) and (f) and point (3) of Annex II.

The methodologies referred to in the first subparagraph of this paragraph shall be drawn up in line with the principles laid down in Annex V, be based on common assumptions allowing for project comparison, and be consistent with the Union’s 2030 targets for energy and climate and its 2050 climate neutrality objective, as well as with the rules and indicators set out in Annex IV.

The methodologies referred to in the first subparagraph of this paragraph shall be applied for the preparation of each subsequent Union-wide ten-year network development plans developed by the ENTSO for Electricity pursuant to Article 30 of Regulation (EU) 2019/943 or the ENTSO for Gas pursuant to Article 8 of Regulation (EC) No 715/2009.

By 24 April 2023, the ENTSO for Electricity and the ENTSO for Gas shall publish and submit to Member States, the Commission and the Agency their respective consistent single sector draft methodologies after having gathered input from the relevant stakeholders during the consultation process referred to in paragraph 2.

2.   Prior to submitting their respective draft methodologies to the Member States, the Commission and the Agency in accordance with paragraph 1, the ENTSO for Electricity and the ENTSO for Gas shall publish preliminary draft methodologies and conduct an extensive consultation process and seek recommendations from Member States and, at least, the organisations representing all relevant stakeholders, including the entity of distribution system operators in the Union established pursuant to Article 52 of Regulation (EU) 2019/943 (EU DSO entity), associations involved in electricity, gas and hydrogen markets, heating and cooling, carbon capture and storage and carbon capture and utilisation stakeholders, independent aggregators, demand-response operators, organisations involved in energy efficiency solutions, energy consumer associations, civil society representatives and, where it is deemed appropriate the national regulatory authorities and other national authorities.

Within three months of publication of the preliminary draft methodologies under the first subparagraph, any stakeholder referred to in that subparagraph may submit a recommendation.

The European Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change established under Article 10a of Regulation (EC) No 401/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council (31) may, on its own initiative, submit an opinion to the draft methodologies.

Where applicable, Member States, and stakeholders referred to in the first subparagraph shall submit and make publicly available their recommendations and the European Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change shall submit and make publicly available its opinion to the Agency and, as applicable, to the ENTSO for Electricity or the ENTSO for Gas.

The consultation process shall be open, timely and transparent. The ENTSO for Electricity and the ENTSO for Gas shall prepare and make public a report on the consultation process.

The ENTSO for Electricity and the ENTSO for Gas shall provide reasons where they have not, or have only partly, taken into account the recommendations from Member States or the stakeholders, as well as from national authorities, or the opinion of the European Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change.

3.   Within three months of receipt of the draft methodologies together with the input received in the consultation process and the report on the consultation, the Agency shall provide an opinion to the ENTSO for Electricity and the ENTSO for Gas. The Agency shall notify its opinion to the ENTSO for Electricity, the ENTSO for Gas, the Member States, and the Commission and publish it on its website.

4.   Within three months of receipt of the draft methodologies, Member States may deliver their opinions to the ENTSO for Electricity and the ENTSO for Gas and the Commission. To facilitate the consultation, the Commission may organise specific meetings of the Groups to discuss the draft methodologies.

5.   Within three months of receipt of the opinions of the Agency and Member States, as referred to in paragraphs 3 and 4, the ENTSO for Electricity and the ENTSO for Gas shall amend their respective methodologies to fully take into account the opinions of the Agency and the Member States and submit them together with the opinion of the Agency to the Commission for its approval. The Commission shall issue its decision within three months of submission of the methodologies by the ENTSO for Electricity and the ENTSO for Gas, respectively.

6.   Within two weeks of the approval by the Commission in accordance with paragraph 5, the ENTSO for Electricity and the ENTSO for Gas shall publish their respective methodologies on their websites. They shall publish the corresponding input data and other relevant network, load flow and market data in a sufficiently accurate form subject to restrictions under national law and relevant confidentiality agreements. The Commission and the Agency shall ensure the confidential treatment of the data received by them and by any party that carries out analytical work on the basis of those data on their behalf.

7.   The methodologies shall be updated and improved regularly following the procedure described in paragraphs 1 to 6. In particular, they shall be amended after submission of the energy network and market model referred to in paragraph 10. The Agency, on its own initiative, or upon a duly reasoned request by national regulatory authorities or stakeholders, and after formally consulting the organisations representing all relevant stakeholders referred to in paragraph 2, first subparagraph, and the Commission, may request such updates and improvements, providing reasons and a timetable. The Agency shall publish the requests by national regulatory authorities or stakeholders and all relevant non-commercially sensitive documents leading to a request from the Agency for an update or improvement.

8.   For projects falling under the energy infrastructure categories set out in point (1)(c) and (e) and in points (2), (4) and (5) of Annex II, the Commission shall ensure the development of methodologies for a harmonised energy system-wide cost-benefit analysis at Union level. Those methodologies shall be compatible in terms of benefits and costs with the methodologies developed by the ENTSO for Electricity and the ENTSO for Gas. The Agency, with the support of national regulatory authorities, shall promote the consistency of those methodologies with the methodologies elaborated by ENTSO for Electricity and the ENTSO for Gas. The methodologies shall be developed in a transparent manner, including extensive consultation of Member States and of all relevant stakeholders.

9.   Every three years, the Agency shall establish and publish a set of indicators and corresponding reference values for the comparison of unit investment costs for comparable projects of the energy infrastructure categories included in Annex II. Project promoters shall provide the requested data to the national regulatory authorities and to the Agency.

The Agency shall publish the first indicators for the infrastructure categories set out in points (1), (2) and (3) of Annex II by 24 April 2023, to the extent that data is available to calculate robust indicators and reference values. Those reference values may be used by the ENTSO for Electricity and the ENTSO for Gas for the cost-benefit analyses carried out for subsequent Union-wide ten-year network development plans.

The Agency shall publish the first indicators for the energy infrastructure categories set out in points (4) and (5) of Annex II, by 24 April 2025.

10.   By 24 June 2025, following an extensive consultation process of stakeholders referred to in paragraph 2, first subparagraph, the ENTSO for Electricity and the ENTSO for Gas shall jointly submit to the Commission and the Agency a consistent and progressively integrated model that will provide consistency between single sector methodologies based on common assumptions including electricity, gas and hydrogen transmission infrastructure as well as storage facilities, liquefied natural gas and electrolysers, covering the energy infrastructure priority corridors and areas set out in Annex I drawn up in line with the principles laid down in Annex V.

11.   The model referred to in paragraph 10, shall cover at least the relevant sectors’ interlinkages at all stages of infrastructure planning, specifically scenarios, technologies and spatial resolution, infrastructure gaps identification in particular with respect to cross-border capacities, and projects assessment.

12.   After approval of the model referred to in paragraph 10 by the Commission in accordance with the procedure set out in paragraphs 1 to 5, it shall be included in the methodologies referred to in paragraph 1, that shall be amended accordingly.

13.   At least every five years, starting from its approval in accordance with paragraph 10, and more frequently where necessary, the model and the consistent single sector cost-benefit methodologies shall be updated in accordance with the procedure referred to in paragraph 7.

1.   By 24 January 2023, the Agency, after having conducted an extensive consultation process involving the Commission, the Member States, the ENTSO for Electricity, the ENTSO for Gas, the EU DSO entity and at least the organisations representing associations involved in electricity, gas and hydrogen markets, heating and cooling, carbon capture and storage and carbon capture and utilisation stakeholders, independent aggregators, demand-response operators, organisations involved in energy efficiency solutions, energy consumer associations and civil society representatives, shall publish the framework guidelines for the joint scenarios to be developed by ENTSO for Electricity and ENTSO for Gas. Those guidelines shall be regularly updated as found necessary.

The guidelines shall establish criteria for a transparent, non-discriminatory and robust development of scenarios taking into account best practices in the field of infrastructures assessment and network development planning. The guidelines shall also aim to ensure that the underlying ENTSO for Electricity and ENTSO for Gas scenarios are fully in line with the energy efficiency first principle and with the Union’s 2030 targets for energy and climate and its 2050 climate neutrality objective and shall take into account the latest available Commission scenarios, as well as, when relevant, the national energy and climate plans.

The European Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change may, on its own initiative, provide input on how to ensure compliance of scenarios with the Union’s 2030 targets for energy and climate and its 2050 climate neutrality objective. The Agency shall take duly into account that input in the framework guidelines referred in the first subparagraph.

The Agency shall provide reasons where it has not, or has only partly, taken into account the recommendations from Member States, stakeholders and the European Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change.

2.   The ENTSO for Electricity and ENTSO for Gas shall follow the Agency’s framework guidelines when developing the joint scenarios to be used for the Union-wide ten-year network development plans.

The joint scenarios shall also include a long-term perspective until 2050 and include intermediary steps as appropriate.

3.   The ENTSO for Electricity and ENTSO for Gas shall invite the organisations representing all relevant stakeholders, including the EU DSO entity, associations involved in electricity, gas and hydrogen markets, heating and cooling, carbon capture and storage and carbon capture and utilisation stakeholders, independent aggregators, demand-response operators, organisations involved in energy efficiency solutions, energy consumer associations, civil society representatives, to participate in the scenarios development process, in particular on key elements such as assumptions and how they are reflected in the scenarios data.

4.   The ENTSO for Electricity and the ENTSO for Gas shall publish and submit the draft joint scenarios report to the Agency, the Member States and the Commission for their opinion.

The European Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change may, on its own initiative, provide an opinion on the joint scenarios report.

5.   Within three months of receipt of the draft joint scenarios report together with the input received in the consultation process and a report on how it was taken into account, the Agency shall submit its opinion on compliance of the scenarios with the framework guidelines referred to in paragraph 1, first subparagraph, including possible recommendations for amendments, to the ENTSO for Electricity, ENTSO for gas, Member States and the Commission.

Within the same time limit, the European Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change may, on its own initiative, provide an opinion on the compatibility of scenarios with the Union’s 2030 targets for energy and climate and its 2050 climate neutrality objective.

6.   Within three months of receipt of the opinion referred to in paragraph 5, the Commission taking into account the opinions of the Agency and Member States shall approve the draft joint scenarios report or request the ENTSO for Electricity and the ENTSO for Gas to amend it.

The ENTSO for Electricity and the ENTSO for Gas shall provide reasons explaining how any request for amendments from the Commission has been addressed.

In the event the Commission does not approve the joint scenarios report, it shall provide a reasoned opinion to the ENTSO for Electricity and the ENTSO for Gas.

7.   Within two weeks of the approval of the joint scenarios report in accordance with paragraph 6, the ENTSO for Electricity and the ENTSO for Gas shall publish it on their websites. They shall also publish the corresponding input and output data in a sufficiently clear and accurate form for a third party to reproduce the results, taking due account of the national law and relevant confidentiality agreements and sensitive information.

1.   Within six months of approval of the joint scenarios report pursuant to Article 12(6) and every two years thereafter, the ENTSO for Electricity and the ENTSO for Gas shall publish the infrastructure gaps reports developed within the framework of the Union-wide ten-year network development plans.

When assessing the infrastructure gaps the ENTSO for Electricity and the ENTSO for Gas shall base their analysis on the scenarios established under Article 12, implement the energy efficiency first principle and consider with priority all relevant alternatives to new infrastructure. When considering new infrastructures solutions, the infrastructures gaps assessment shall take into account all relevant costs, including network reinforcements.

The infrastructures gaps assessment shall, in particular, focus on those infrastructure gaps potentially affecting the fulfilment of the Union’s 2030 climate and energy targets and its 2050 climate neutrality objective.

Prior to publishing their respective reports, the ENTSO for Electricity and the ENTSO for Gas shall conduct an extensive consultation process involving all relevant stakeholders, including the EU DSO entity, associations involved in electricity, gas and hydrogen markets, heating and cooling, carbon capture and storage and carbon capture and utilisation stakeholders, independent aggregators, demand-response operators, organisations involved in energy efficiency solutions and, energy consumer associations, civil society representatives, the Agency and all the Member States’ representatives that are part of the relevant energy infrastructure priority corridors that are set out in Annex I.

2.   The ENTSO for Electricity and the ENTSO for Gas shall submit their respective draft infrastructure gaps report to the Agency and the Commission and Member States for their opinion.

3.   Within three months of receipt of the infrastructure gaps report together with the input received in the consultation process and a report on how it was taken into account, the Agency shall submit its opinion to the ENTSO for Electricity or ENTSO for Gas, the Commission and Member States and make it publicly available.

4.   Within three months of receipt of the Agency’s opinion referred to in paragraph 3, the Commission shall, taking the Agency’s opinion into account and with input from the Member States, draft its opinion and submit it to the ENTSO for Electricity or the ENTSO for Gas.

5.   The ENTSO for Electricity and the ENTSO for Gas shall adapt their infrastructure gaps reports taking due account of the Agency’s opinion and in line with the Commission’s and the Member States’ opinions and make them publicly available.

1.   By 24 January 2023, Member States, with the support of the Commission, within their specific priority offshore grid corridors, set out in Section 2 of Annex I, taking into account the specificities and development in each region, shall conclude a non-binding agreement to cooperate on goals for offshore renewable generation to be deployed within each sea basin by 2050, with intermediate steps in 2030 and 2040, in line with their national energy and climate plans, and the offshore renewable potential of each sea basin.

That non-binding agreement shall be made in writing as regards each sea basin linked to the territory of the Member States, and shall be without prejudice to the right of Member States to develop projects on their territorial sea and exclusive economic zone. The Commission shall provide guidance for the work in the Groups.

2.   By 24 January 2024, and as part of each ten-year network development plan thereafter, the ENTSO for Electricity, with the involvement of the relevant TSOs, the national regulatory authorities, the Member States and the Commission, and in line with the non-binding agreement referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article, shall develop and publish, as a separate report which is part of the Union-wide ten-year network development plan, high-level strategic integrated offshore network development plans for each sea-basin, in line with the priority offshore grid corridors referred to in Annex I, taking into account environmental protection and other uses of the sea.

In the development of the high-level strategic integrated offshore network development plans within the timeline provided for in paragraph 1, the ENTSO for Electricity shall consider the non-binding agreements referred to in paragraph 1 for the development of the Union-wide ten-year network development plan scenarios.

The high-level strategic integrated offshore network development plans shall provide a high-level outlook on offshore generation capacities potential and resulting offshore grid needs, including the potential needs for interconnectors, hybrid projects, radial connections, reinforcements, and hydrogen infrastructure.

3.   The high-level strategic integrated offshore network development plans shall be consistent with regional investment plans published pursuant to Article 34(1) of Regulation (EU) 2019/943 and integrated within the Union-wide ten-year network development plans in order to ensure coherent development of onshore and offshore grid planning and the necessary reinforcements.

4.   By 24 December 2024 and every two years thereafter, the Member States, shall update their non-binding agreements referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article, including in view of the results of the application of the cost-benefit and cost-sharing to the priority offshore grid corridors, when those results become available.

5.   After each update of the non-binding agreements in accordance with paragraph 4, for each sea basin, the ENTSO for Electricity shall update the high level strategic integrated offshore network development plans within the next Union-wide ten-year network development plan as referred to in paragraph 2.

1.   By 24 June 2024, the Commission shall, with the involvement of the Member States, relevant TSOs, the Agency and the national regulatory authorities, develop guidance for a specific cost-benefit and cost-sharing for the deployment of the sea-basin integrated offshore network development plans referred to in Article 14(2) in accordance with the non-binding agreements referred to in Article 14(1). This guidance shall be compatible with Article 16(1). The Commission shall update its guidance when appropriate, taking into account the results of its implementation.

2.   By 24 June 2025, the ENTSO for Electricity, with the involvement of the relevant TSOs, the Agency, the national regulatory authorities and the Commission, shall present the results of the application of the cost-benefit and cost-sharing to the priority offshore grid corridors.

1.   The efficiently incurred investment costs, which exclude maintenance costs, related to a project of common interest falling under the energy infrastructure categories set out in point (1)(a), (b), (c), (d) and (f) of Annex II, and projects of common interest falling under the energy infrastructure category set out in point (3) of Annex II, where they fall under the competence of national regulatory authorities in each Member State concerned, shall be borne by the relevant TSO or the project promoters of the transmission infrastructure of the Member States to which the project provides a net positive impact, and, to the extent not covered by congestion rents or other charges, be paid for by network users through tariffs for network access in that or those Member States.

2.   The provisions of this Article shall apply to a project of common interest falling under the energy infrastructure categories set out in point (1)(a), (b), (c), (d), (f) and point (3) of Annex II, where at least one project promoter requests the relevant national authorities their application for the costs of the project.

Projects falling under the energy infrastructure category set out in point (1)(e) and point (2) of Annex II may benefit from the provisions of this Article where at least one project promoter requests its application from the relevant national authorities.

Where a project has several project promoters, the relevant national regulatory authorities shall without delay request all project promoters to submit the investment request jointly in accordance with paragraph 4.

3.   For a project of common interest to which paragraph 1 applies, the project promoters shall keep all relevant national regulatory authorities regularly informed, at least once per year, and until the project is commissioned, of the progress of that project and the identification of costs and the impact associated with it.

4.   As soon as such a project of common interest has reached sufficient maturity, and is estimated to be ready to start the construction phase within the next 36 months, the project promoters, after having consulted the TSOs from the Member States which receive a significant net positive impact from it, shall submit an investment request. That investment request shall include a request for a cross-border cost allocation and shall be submitted to all the relevant national regulatory authorities concerned, accompanied by all of the following:

Where a project is promoted by several project promoters, they shall submit their investment request jointly.

The relevant national regulatory authorities shall, upon receipt, transmit to the Agency, without delay, a copy of each investment request, for information purposes.

The relevant national regulatory authorities and the Agency shall preserve the confidentiality of commercially sensitive information.

5.   Within six months of the date on which the investment request is received by the last of the relevant national regulatory authorities, those authorities shall, after consulting the project promoters concerned, take joint coordinated decisions on the allocation of efficiently incurred investment costs to be borne by each system operator for the project, as well as their inclusion in tariffs, or on the rejection of the investment request, in whole or in part, if the common analysis of the relevant national regulatory authorities concludes that the project or a part of it fails to provide a significant net benefit in any of the Member States of the relevant national regulatory authorities. The relevant national regulatory authorities shall include the relevant efficiently incurred investment costs in tariffs, as defined in the recommendation referred to in paragraph 11, in line with the allocation of investment costs to be borne by each system operator for the project. For projects in the territories of their respective Member State, the relevant national regulatory authorities, shall thereafter assess, where appropriate, whether any affordability issues might arise due to the inclusion of the investment costs in tariffs.

In allocating the costs, the relevant national regulatory authorities shall take into account actual or estimated:

The allocation of costs across borders shall take into account, the economic, social and environmental costs and benefits of the projects in the Member States concerned and the need to ensure a stable financing framework for the development of projects of common interest while minimising the need for financial support.

In allocating costs across borders, the relevant national regulatory authorities, after consulting the TSOs concerned, shall seek a mutual agreement based on, but not limited to, the information specified in paragraphs 4, first subparagraph, points (a) and (b), of this Article. Their assessment shall consider all the relevant scenarios referred to in Article 12 and other scenarios for network development planning, allowing a robust analysis of the contribution of the project of common interest to the Union energy policy of decarbonisation, market integration, competition, sustainability and security of supply. Where additional scenarios are used, they shall be consistent with the Union’s 2030 targets for energy and climate and its 2050 climate neutrality objective and be subject to the same level of consultation and scrutiny as the process provided for in Article 12.

Where a project of common interest mitigates negative externalities, such as loop flows, and that project of common interest is implemented in the Member State at the origin of the negative externality, such mitigation shall not be regarded as a cross-border benefit and shall therefore not constitute a basis for allocating costs to the TSO of the Member States affected by those negative externalities.

6.   The relevant national regulatory authorities shall, on the basis of the cross-border cost allocation referred to in paragraph 5 of this Article, take into account actual costs incurred by a TSO or other project promoter as a result of the investments when fixing or approving tariffs in accordance with Article 41(1), point (a), of Directive 2009/73/EC and Article 59(1), point (a), of Directive (EU) 2019/944, insofar as those costs correspond to those of an efficient and structurally comparable operator.

The relevant national regulatory authorities shall notify the cost allocation decision to the Agency, without delay, together with all the relevant information with respect to that decision. In particular, the cost allocation decision shall set out detailed reasons for the allocation of costs among Member States, including the following:

The cost allocation decision shall be published.

7.   Where the relevant national regulatory authorities have not reached an agreement on the investment request within six months of the date on which the request was received by the last of the relevant national regulatory authorities, they shall inform the Agency without delay.

In that case, or upon a joint request from the relevant national regulatory authorities, the decision on the investment request including cross-border cost allocation referred to in paragraph 5 shall be taken by the Agency within three months of the date of referral to the Agency.

Before taking such a decision, the Agency shall consult the relevant national regulatory authorities and the project promoters. The three-month period referred to in the second subparagraph may be extended by an additional period of two months where further information is sought by the Agency. That additional period shall begin on the day following receipt of the complete information.

The assessment of the Agency shall consider all relevant scenarios established under Article 12 and other scenarios for network development planning, allowing a robust analysis of the contribution of the project of common interest to the Union energy policy targets of decarbonisation, market integration, competition, sustainability and security of supply. Where additional scenarios are used, they shall be consistent with the Union’s 2030 targets for energy and climate and its 2050 climate neutrality objective and be subject to the same level of consultation and scrutiny as the process provided for in Article 12.

The Agency, in its decision on the investment request including cross-border cost allocation, shall leave the determination of the way the investment costs are included in the tariffs in line with the cross-border cost allocation prescribed, to the relevant national authorities at the time of the implementation of that decision in accordance with national law.

The decision on the investment request including cross-border cost allocation shall be published. Article 25(3) and Articles 28 and 29 of Regulation (EU) 2019/942 shall apply.

8.   A copy of all cost allocation decisions, together with all the relevant information with respect to each decision, shall be notified, without delay, by the Agency to the Commission. That information may be submitted in aggregate form. The Commission shall preserve the confidentiality of commercially sensitive information.

9.   Cost allocation decisions shall not affect the right of TSOs to apply and of national regulatory authorities to approve charges for access to networks in accordance with Article 13 of Regulation (EC) No 715/2009, Article 18(1) and Article 18(3) to (6) of Regulation (EU) 2019/943, Article 32 of Directive 2009/73/EC and Article 6 of Directive (EU) 2019/944.

10.   This Article shall not apply to projects of common interest which have received an exemption from:

11.   By 24 June 2023, the Agency shall adopt a recommendation for identifying good practices for the treatment of investment requests for projects of common interest. That recommendation shall be regularly updated as necessary, in particular to ensure consistency with the principles on the offshore grids for renewable energy cross-border cost sharing as referred to in Article 15(1). In adopting or amending the recommendation, the Agency shall carry out an extensive consultation process, involving all relevant stakeholders.

12.   This Article shall apply mutatis mutandis to projects of mutual interest.

1.   Where a project promoter incurs higher risks for the development, construction, operation or maintenance of a project of common interest falling under the competence of national regulatory authorities, when compared to the risks normally incurred by a comparable infrastructure project, Member States and national regulatory authorities may grant appropriate incentives to that project in accordance with Article 13 of Regulation (EC) No 715/2009, Article 18(1) and Article 18(3) to (6) of Regulation (EU) 2019/943, Article 41(8) of Directive 2009/73/EC and Article 58, point (f), of Directive (EU) 2019/944.

The first subparagraph shall not apply where the project of common interest has received an exemption:

2.   In the case of a decision to grant the incentives referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article, national regulatory authorities shall consider the results of the cost-benefit analysis consistent with the methodology drawn up pursuant to Article 11 and in particular the regional or Union-wide positive externalities generated by the project. The national regulatory authorities shall further analyse the specific risks incurred by the project promoters, the risk mitigation measures taken and the reasons for the risk profile in view of the net positive impact provided by the project, when compared to a lower-risk alternative. Eligible risks shall in particular include risks related to new transmission technologies, both onshore and offshore, risks related to under-recovery of costs and development risks.

3.   The decision to grant the incentives shall take into account the specific nature of the risk incurred and may grant incentives covering, inter alia, one or more of the following measures:

4.   By 24 January 2023, each national regulatory authority shall submit to the Agency its methodology and the criteria used to evaluate investments in energy infrastructure projects and the higher risks incurred by those projects, updated in view of latest legislative, policy, technological and market developments. Such methodology and criteria shall also expressly address the specific risks incurred by offshore grids for renewable energy referred to in point (1)(f) of Annex II and by projects, which, while having low capital expenditure, incur significant operating expenditure.

5.   By 24 June 2023, taking due account of the information received pursuant to paragraph 4 of this Article, the Agency shall facilitate the sharing of good practices and make recommendations in accordance with Article 6(2) of Regulation (EU) 2019/942 regarding both of the following:

6.   By 24 September 2023, each national regulatory authority shall publish its methodology and the criteria used to evaluate investments in energy infrastructure projects and the higher risks incurred by them.

7.   Where the measures referred to in paragraphs 5 and 6 are not sufficient to ensure the timely implementation of projects of common interest, the Commission may issue guidelines regarding the incentives laid down in this Article.

1.   Projects of common interest falling under the energy infrastructure categories set out in Article 24 and Annex II shall be eligible for Union financial assistance in the form of grants for studies and financial instruments.

2.   Projects of common interest falling under the energy infrastructure categories set out in Article 24 and in point (1)(a), (b), (c), (d) and (f) of Annex II and point (3) of Annex II shall also be eligible for Union financial assistance in the form of grants for works where they fulfil all of the following criteria:

3.   Projects of common interest carried out in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 5(7), point (d), shall also be eligible for Union financial assistance in the form of grants for works where they fulfil the criteria set out in paragraph 2 of this Article.

4.   Projects of common interest falling under the energy infrastructure categories set out in point (1)(e) and points (2) 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, in an evaluation carried out by the relevant national authority or, where applicable, the national regulatory authority, 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.

5.   This Article shall apply mutatis mutandis to projects of mutual interest.

Projects of mutual interest shall be eligible for Union financial assistance under conditions set out in Article 5(2) of Regulation (EU) 2021/1153. With regard to grants for works, projects of mutual interest shall be eligible for Union financial assistance provided that they fulfil the criteria set out in paragraph 2 of this Article and where the project contributes to the Union’s overall energy and climate policy objectives.

1.   The power to adopt delegated acts is conferred on the Commission subject to the conditions laid down in this Article.

2.   The power to adopt delegated acts referred to in Article 3(4) shall be conferred on the Commission for a period of seven years from 23 June 2022. The Commission shall draw up a report in respect of the delegation of power not later than nine months before the end of the seven-year period. The delegation of power shall be tacitly extended for periods of an identical duration, unless the European Parliament or the Council opposes such extension not later than three months before the end of each period.

3.   The delegation of power referred to in Article 3(4) may be revoked at any time by the European Parliament or by the Council. A decision to revoke shall put an end to the delegation of the power specified in that decision. It shall take effect the day following the publication of the decision in the Official Journal of the European Union or at a later date specified therein. It shall not affect the validity of any delegated acts already in force.

4.   Before adopting a delegated act, the Commission shall consult experts designated by each Member State in accordance with the principles laid down in the Interinstitutional Agreement of 13 April 2016 on Better Law-Making.

5.   As soon as it adopts a delegated act, the Commission shall notify it simultaneously to the European Parliament and to the Council.

6.   A delegated act adopted pursuant to Article 3(4) shall enter into force only if no objection has been expressed either by the European Parliament or the Council within a period of two months of notification of that act to the European Parliament and the Council or if, before the expiry of that period, the European Parliament and the Council have both informed the Commission that they will not object. That period shall be extended by two months at the initiative of the European Parliament or of the Council.

1.   In the case of Cyprus and Malta, which are not interconnected to the trans-European gas network, a derogation from Article 3, Article 4(1), points (a) and (b), Article 4(5), Article 16(4), point (a), and Annexes I, II and III shall apply, without prejudice to Article 32(2). One interconnection for each of those Member States shall maintain its status of project of common interest under this Regulation with all relevant rights and obligations, where that interconnection:

Those projects shall ensure the future ability to access new energy markets, including hydrogen.

2.   The project promoters shall provide sufficient evidence of how the interconnections referred to in paragraph 1 will allow access to new energy markets, including hydrogen, in line with the Union’s overall energy and climate policy objectives. Such evidence shall include an assessment of the supply and demand for renewable or low-carbon hydrogen as well as a calculation of the greenhouse gas emissions reduction enabled by the project.

The Commission shall regularly verify that assessment and that calculation, as well as the timely implementation of the project.

3.   In addition to the specific criteria set out in Article 19 for Union financial assistance, the interconnections referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article shall be designed in view of ensuring access to future energy markets, including hydrogen, shall not lead to a prolongation of the lifetime of natural gas assets and shall ensure the interoperability of neighbouring networks across borders. Any eligibility for Union financial assistance under Article 18 shall end on 31 December 2027.

4.   Any request for Union financial assistance for works shall clearly demonstrate the aim to convert the asset into a dedicated hydrogen asset by 2036 if market conditions allow, by means of a roadmap with a precise timeline.

5.   The derogation set out in paragraph 1 shall apply until Cyprus or Malta, respectively, is directly interconnected to the trans-European gas network or until 31 December 2029, whichever is the earlier.

1.   During a transitional period ending on 31 December 2029, dedicated hydrogen assets converted from natural gas assets falling under the energy infrastructure category set out in point (3) of Annex II may be used for transport or storage of a predefined blend of hydrogen with natural gas or biomethane.

2.   During the transitional period referred to in paragraph 1, the project promoters shall closely cooperate on project design and implementation in order to ensure interoperability of neighbouring networks.

3.   The project promoter shall provide sufficient evidence, including through commercial contracts, how, by the end of the transitional period, the assets referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article will cease to be natural gas assets and become dedicated hydrogen assets, as set out in point (3) of Annex II, and how the increased use of hydrogen will be enabled during the transitional period. Such evidence shall include an assessment of the supply and demand for renewable or low-carbon hydrogen as well as a calculation of the greenhouse gas emissions reduction enabled by the project. In the context of the monitoring of progress achieved in implementing the projects of common interest, the Agency shall verify the timely transition of the project to a dedicated hydrogen asset as set out in point (3) of Annex II.

4.   Eligibility of projects referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article for Union financial assistance under Article 18 shall end on 31 December 2027.

1.   Regulation (EU) No 347/2013 is repealed from 23 June 2022. No rights shall arise under this Regulation for projects listed in the Annexes to Regulation (EU) No 347/2013.

2.   Notwithstanding paragraph 1 of this Article, Annex VII to Regulation (EU) No 347/2013, as amended by Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/564 (34), containing the fifth Union list of projects of common interest as well as Articles 2 to 10, Articles 12, 13 and 14, and Annexes I to IV and Annex VI to Regulation (EU) No 347/2013, shall remain in force and produce effects as regards the projects of common interest included on the fifth Union list until the entry into force of the first Union list of projects of common interest and projects of mutual interest established pursuant to this Regulation.

3.   Notwithstanding paragraph 2 of this Article, projects that were included in the fifth Union list of projects of common interest established pursuant to Regulation (EU) No 347/2013 and for which an application file has been accepted for examination by the competent authority shall benefit from the rights and obligations arising from Chapter III of this Regulation for a period of four years from the entry into force of this Regulation.