ENTSOG GRIP SNC 2014-2023

The Region plays a significant role in bridging the most relevant European gas markets and is going to increase its relevance in developing the gas infrastructure, which forms the physical interconnection between the main gas hubs. The Region is destined to cover a key function in terms both of: \\ Security of Supply, with relation to the evolutions of the internal European sup- ply and demand patterns. \\ Market integration, providing a flexible gas route interconnecting the major gas market places. This two-fold role has been recognized by the European Commission in the adoption of Regulation 347/2013. Four priority corridors for the gas infrastructure have been identified by the Regulation, and the Region is placed at the cross-roads of three of them: South-North gas interconnections (South Western Europe), South-North gas interconnections (Central Eastern and South Eastern Europe) and Southern Gas Corridor (Caspian Region).

South – North gas interconnections (South Western Europe) South – North gas interconnections (Central and South Eastern Europe) Southern Gas Corridor (Caspian basin) Interconnection plan of Baltic energy market

Figure 5.1: European priority corridors for natural gas infrastructures and the role of the Region (Source: Elaboration on European Commission publication)

With reference to priority corridors, the implementing acts to Regulation 347/2013, issued on October 2013 1) , have adopted the first Union list of Projects of Common Interests (PCIs). These infrastructure projects have been labeled by the European Commission as priority initiatives for the benefits they can bring to the internal gas market under several criteria, namely market integration, security of supply, compe- tition and sustainability. The pipelines identified as Projects of Common Interests and included in the South- North Corridor Region represent a veritable backbone for future European gas infra- structure developments, as is also clearly visible in the following picture.

1) Commission Delegated Regulation 1391/2013

South-North Corridor GRIP 2014–2023 |

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