Status TEN

In Europe, the increasing demand for gas along with the falling domestic production make the development of additional pipeline capacity a matter of vital importance.

The European Union appreciates Nord Stream as one of the priority energy projects of European interest. The project was declared to be part of the Trans-European Network-Energy (TEN-E) in the TEN-E Guidelines in 2000 (mentioned as North European Gas Pipeline). This status was re-confirmed by the latest revision of the Guidelines mid 2006. This means that Nord Stream is a key project for sustainability and security of supply in Europe and must be supported by EU-member states, as it contributes to rapid implementation of the most important cross-border interconnection capacity.

Trans European Energy Networks are integral to the EU’s overall energy policy objectives, increasing competitiveness in the electricity and gas markets, reinforcing security of supply, and protecting the environment (Articles 154–156 of the Amsterdam Treaty of 1997).

The TEN Energy guidelines, and Nord Stream as part of it, reflect the three main objectives of the EU’s energy policy — sustainability, competitiveness and security of supply.

Recognizing a strongly increasing dependence of Europe on gas imports in the next 20–30 years, the Trans-European Energy Networks policy aims at securing and diversifying additional gas import capacity, including by increased pipeline import capacity.

This status means that Nord Stream is appreciated by the EU as a pipeline project linking markets by modern and efficient infrastructure and being an element for economic growth and creation of employment.

Nord Stream with a planned investment of € 7,4 billion accounts for a significant part of the overall € 19 billion which the EU estimates to be needed for implementing gas projects of European interest until 2013.

To read more about TEN-E, please see the Memo from the EU Commission.