Energy Union: Commission invests in synergies between transport and energy infrastructure

Today the European Commission launched the first-ever call for proposals under the EU funding programme for infrastructure, called the Connecting Europe Facility, to support projects fostering synergies between transport and energy infrastructure. The call makes €40 million available to studies supporting smart, sustainable and inclusive growth, in line with the Europe 2020 strategy, as well as enabling the EU to achieve its sustainable development targets through the creation of synergies between transport and energy. Transport Commissioner Violeta Bulc stated: “With this Connecting Europe Facility call, we aim to bridge the gap between transport and energy. Transport in the EU depends on oil for about 94% of its energy needs. Supporting the transition to low-emission alternative energy is therefore imperative to reach the EU’s decarbonisation objectives and to create a resilient energy union.”Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy Miguel Arias Cañete said: “It is vital to develop synergies between energy and transport infrastructure to deliver more with greater efficiency. With this very first common call for proposals we will ensure smart use of EU funds when striving to meet our long-term decarbonisation objectives.” Support will be granted to study projects with or without pilot deployment on a competitive basis in the form of EU co-financing of up to 60% of eligible costs, following a thorough evaluation and selection process. Applicants have until 13 December 2016 to submit their proposals. The outcome of the call will be published by April 2017. More information is available on the website of INEA, the executive agency for innovation and networks.