EU announces list of key energy projects

The European Commission Monday adopted a list of some 250 key energy infrastructure projects in Europe which will be eligible for faster financial support of up to 5.85 billion euro for the period 2014-20. "We have to make sure that our limited funds are used wisely and that EU money goes where it can create most benefits to European consumers." EU Energy Commissioner Gunther Oettinger told a press conference. "With this list of energy infrastructure projects and their accompanying benefits, we also hope to attract more investors," Oettinger said. He noted that the list includes up to 140 projects in the field of electricity transmission and storage, about 100 projects in the field of gas transmission, storage and LNG, and several oil projects. "Our vision is that Europe should have a cross-border dimension in the field of electricity and gas, connecting EU countries to Switzerland, Norway, Ukraine, Russia, Turkey, the Caspian region and north Africa," he added.