Gas infrastructure operators welcome the European investment plan 2015-2017

November 26, 2014

Gas infrastructure operators welcome the announcement regarding a European Investment plan 2015-2017 launched by the European Commission today. According to European Commission estimates, the proposed measures could foster gas infrastructure projects between 2015 and 2017. A new European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI) will be set up in partnership with the European Investment Bank (EIB) in order to provide financial instruments supporting private financing of those projects.

In the past years, GIE members invested up to EUR 8.8 billion per year in gas infrastructure projects. But gas infrastructure needs to be further developed and enhanced in the coming years in order to achieve an integrated Internal Energy Market and improve Security of Supply, but investments in gas infrastructure should be optimised in order to preserve the competitiveness of gas. A market-based approach should be the cornerstone of investments in gas infrastructure. Those investments which are not market-based, but presenting positive externalities, such as Security of Supply, should not be detrimental to existing investments and to market-based projects. The new European investment plan should help safeguard secure supplies, provide alternative supply routes, increase gas supply competition and respond to new and growing flexibility requirements in order to integrate variable renewable energy sources into the European energy system. The Commission should ensure consistency between the long-term role assigned to gas in the European energy mix and the policy instruments developed.

Gas infrastructure operators are willing to invest in the gas infrastructure projects that Europe needs, but a sound investment framework with clear market signals is essential. The European investment plan 2015-2017 is expected to improve investment conditions significantly.

Note to editors

• Gas Infrastructure Europe (GIE) is an association representing the interests of European natural gas infrastructure operators active in natural gas transmission, storage and LNG regasification. GIE is a trusted partner of European institutions, regulatory bodies and industry stakeholders. It is based in Brussels, the heart of European policymaking.

• GIE currently represents 68 member companies from 25 countries. Its internal structure has three columns corresponding to the three types of infrastructure activities represented: GTE (Gas Transmission Europe), GSE (Gas Storage Europe) and GLE (Gas LNG Europe), all of which fall under the umbrella of GIE. This structure allows member companies to speak with one voice on infrastructure topics as well as to build positions on column-specific issues.