Changes from report parliamentary committee draft to plenary report

Added(e) the implementation plan as set out in Article 5(1) updated with the latest data on the project;

Added(f) the funds allocated and disbursed by the Union for the project;

Added(g) the project and public consultation planning, clearly indicating dates and locations for public consultations and hearings and the envisaged subject matters relevant for those hearings;

Added(h) contact details in view of obtaining additional information or documents;

Added(i) contact details in view of conveying comments and objections during public consultations.

AddedThe framework methodology developed by ACER for identification of infrastructure needs by the ENTSO for Electricity and the ENNOH shall ensure that the identification of infrastructure needs reports referred to in Article 12 comply with the following principles:

Added(1) It shall be based on the Union strategic scenario and sensitivities pursuant to Article 11 of this Regulation, and complemented by further assessment, when relevant, using the central scenario’s sensitivities.

Added(2) It shall follow cross-sectoral and integrated approach taking into account interlinkages between electricity, hydrogen and gas sectors, as well as, where applicable, district heating and CO2 sectors.

Added(3) It shall ensure that the needs are identified by analysing most efficient joined-up contribution of the electricity and hydrogen network solutions, including grid enhancing technologies, integrated electricity and hydrogen infrastructure, renewable and low-carbon , non-fossil flexibility or other alternatives to system expansion, to achieve the optimal energy network for achieving the energy and climate targets and objectives. The optimal energy network should also ensure security of supply and lead to a higher market integration and competitiveness of the European industry by increasing price convergence between respective market and bidding zones as and higher electricity interconnectivity levels.

Added(3a) It shall ensure the needs identified are robust. To that aim, where a need is identified based on an alternative scenario in addition to the initial scenario it may be considered a prevailing need.

Added(4) It shall look at medium (10-15 years) and long-term (20-30 years) time horizon based on a realistic starting network for each time horizon, identifying needs at Member States borders and at national level if of cross-border relevance, taking also into account infrastructure developments in the third countries in line with the EU policy priorities.

Added(5) It shall reflect the European perspective by first identifying cross-border needs leading to the identification of possible infrastructure reinforcement needs at national level.

Added(5a) It shall analyse the ability of the Union electricity network to accommodate projected cross-border electricity exchanges under the central scenario and identify situations where network capacity may limit the efficient utilisation of generation resources across bidding zones.

Added(5b) It shall identify structural congestion patterns that persist across scenarios and time horizons and that materially affect market integration, system efficiency or security of supply at Union level, including where such congestion leads to persistent separation of bidding zones.

Added(6) It shall provide sufficient level of detail and granularity to properly consider current and future network constraints and enable subsequent identification of infrastructure needs on regional as well as national level. It shall also provide clear information on the necessary investments to address the infrastructure gaps as well as the cumulative benefits of these investments for the energy system..

Added(7) In electricity, it shall include DSO data, demand forecasts and system needs and consider infrastructure and grid enhancing technologies, with due consideration of renewable and low emission flexibility resources, including storage, which would lead to more optimised energy system. The matchmaking of needs with taking into account the specific characteristics and level of maturity of each sector projects submitted for inclusion in the Union wide ten-year network development shall be accompanied by an explanation how non-wire solutions, non-fossil flexibility or other alternatives to system expansion were taken into account.

Added(8) It shall be an outcome of a transparent process, based on robust tools and data, requiring up to date and verified cost assumptions. In this context, it shall use clear and quantifiable criteria for the set-up of the starting network. Key relevant stakeholders shall be involved into provision of inputs as well as validation of the results through the consultation process structured in a way to enable the accommodation of comments.

Added(8a) It shall consider the role of flexibility solutions, including energy storage and demand response, in addressing network constraints and supporting the efficient integration of renewable electricity generation.

Added(9) It shall deliver specific and quantified results allowing for measuring the magnitude of potential infrastructure gaps in specific locations, referring both grid enhancing technologies and conventional network reinforcement . To this aim, the identified needs should indicate to market participants the main cross-border transmission infrastructure gaps, including internal infrastructure with significant cross-border impact, that need to be addressed over the next ten to twenty years.

Added(9a) Where relevant, it shall ensure consistency with the methodology of the European Resources Adequacy Assessment referred to in Article 23 of Regulation (EU) 2019/943, and the methodology for the analysis of flexibility needs as referred to in Article 19e of Regulation (EU) 2024/1724.