17 November 2010: The European Commission has released a communication that identifies energy infrastructure priorities for the next two decades, aimed at making networks fit for the 21st century.

The Communication, titled “Energy infrastructure priorities for 2020 and beyond – A Blueprint for an integrated European energy network,” defines EU priority corridors for the transport of electricity, gas and oil that will serve as a basis for future permit granting and financing decisions on concrete EU projects. Based on the pre-defined corridors identified in the Commission’s Communication, concrete projects of European interest will be identified in 2012, which are expected to benefit from EU financing and fully respect EU law on environmental protection and public participation. The Commission has further defined longer-term goals, such as European electricity highways. EU Commissioner for Energy Günther Oettinger stressed the importance of energy infrastructure for the integration of renewable energy sources and energy efficiency to the proper functioning of the internal market. [EU Press Release][The Communication]