PECI

The Energy Community is an international organization which brings together the European Union and its neighbors to create an integrated pan-European energy market. The organization was founded by the Treaty establishing the Energy Community signed in October 2005 in Athens, Greece, in force since July 2006. The key objective of the Energy Community is to extend the EU internal energy market rules and principles to countries in South East Europe, the Black Sea region and beyond on the basis of a legally binding framework.

The mission of the Energy Community Treaty is to:

• Establish a stable regulatory and market framework capable of attracting investment in power generation and networks;
•  Create an integrated energy market allowing for cross-border energy trade and integration with the EU market;
•  Enhance the security of supply to ensure stable and continuous energy supply that is essential for economic development and social stability;
• Improve the environmental situation in relation with energy supply in the region and foster the use of renewable energy and energy efficiency; and
• Develop competition at regional level and exploit economies of scale.

One of the important tools that the Energy Community uses to realize its program goals is the systematic support of priority projects in the field of oil and gas transportation infrastructure, electricity networks and smart grids.

This support provides for the formation of a list of priority projects, which consists of two parts – PECI (Project of Energy Community Interest) and PMI (Project of Mutual Interest). To be included in this list, candidate projects undergo a selection for compliance with established criteria. The oil transportation projects must contribute to all of the following specific criteria:

• security of supply reducing single supply source or route dependency;
• efficient and sustainable use of resources through mitigation of environmental risks;
• interoperability.

Candidate projects also go through a public consultation procedure.

In addition, candidate projects must be implemented in at least two countries that are members of the Energy Community, or in the territory of one Energy Community country and one EU country.

The final list of priority projects is approved by the decision of the Council of Ministers of the Energy Community.

The list is reviewed every two years.

Projects included in the list of priority projects of the Energy Community should be implemented as soon as possible, subject to constant monitoring and evaluation, while ensuring a minimum level of administrative burden for project promoters. Therefore, local authorities are obliged to provide administrative support to the promoters of these projects in obtaining the necessary approvals and permits. Projects should also receive the status of the highest priority, if such a status is provided for by the national legislation of the participating countries.

Projects included in the list of priority projects of the Energy Community can receive the status of PECI (Project of Energy Community Interest) or PMI (Project of Mutual Interest). PECI projects are considered investments of a higher level, since only those projects that previously received the status of “Projects of Common Interest” by the European Commission (PCI) can count on this status. Other priority investments may be eligible for PMI status.

The Brody – Adamowo oil pipeline construction project since October 2013 has been continuously on the list of priority projects of the Energy Community with PECI status under number Oil_0.1.

More detailed information on the Energy Community activity can be obtained on the website of this organization – the Energy Community.

Comprehensive information on PECI and PMI projects is presented on the PLIMA platform of the Energy Community.