For this week’s Transition Thursday, the European Commission recently unveiled various initiatives working to strengthen the EU’s energy systems and integrating markets.
Late last week, the European Commission launched a new call for proposals for key cross-border EU energy infrastructure projects with an indicative budget of €600 million.
Organised by the Climate, Infrastructure, and Environment Executive Agency, this is the first call open for projects included on the second list of projects of common interest (PCIs) and projects of mutual interests (PMIs).
The call relates to funding proposals for studies and for construction works and will be open until 30 September 2026. Results will be known early next year.
PCIs are key cross-border infrastructure projects that link or impact the energy systems of two or more EU countries. PMIs link energy infrastructure of one or more EU countries with neighbouring non-EU countries.
By focusing on cross-border links, the European Commission says PCIs and PMIs are key to delivering on the EU’s energy and climate targets, safeguarding security of energy supply ,and improving market integration.
Energy and housing commissioner Dan Jørgensen says as the world is in the middle of a “new energy crisis”, it is essential to bring down energy costs, improve competitiveness, and integrate more home-grown renewables.
“The grids package that we proposed in December already strengthens the regulatory framework for cross-border projects,” Jørgensen says.
EU waste
Meanwhile, the commission also proposed a targeted and limited amendment to the Waste Shipment Regulation to continue allowing exports of mixed municipal waste for recovery to Switzerland, including for recycling or energy.
The European Parliament and council will discuss the commission’s latest proposal, which provides a practical solution to avoid unnecessary burdens on local authorities and waste operators, while maintaining environmental standards.
Under current EU rules, the export of mixed municipal waste for recovery to countries outside the European Economic Area, including Switzerland, will be banned.
The commission says this would disrupt long-sustainable waste management practices in border regions, particularly in Austria, France, Germany, and Italy, where around 200,000 tonnes of such waste are sent to Switzerland each year.
Many EU communities rely on nearby Swiss facilities for efficient waste treatment, in line with the EU’s principle that waste should be handled as close as possible to where it is produced.
A ban would mean waste would need to be transported over longer distances within the EU, and in some cases shifting transport from rail to road. As a result, this increases greenhouse gas emissions, while offering little economic or environmental benefit.
In 2024, the amount of municipal waste generated per person in the EU corresponded to 517kg, six kilograms more than the previous year. Compared with 2014, the amount increased by 38kg.
According to Eurostat, the available data reveals differences across EU countries, with Austria (782kg), Denmark (755kg), and Belgium (699kg) recording the highest levels of municipal waste per person.
Meanwhile, the lowest amount of waste per person was generated in Romania (305kg), Estonia (375kg), and Poland (387kg).
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
Images: Unsplash
