ACER publishes recommendations to improve PCI and PMI selection process
The Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER) has published its biennial Opinion on the draft lists of proposed projects of common interest (PCIs) and projects of mutual interest (PMIs) for 2025, identifying procedural deficiencies in the selection process under the TEN-E Regulation. ACER found delays in Ten-Year Network Development Plans data availability, infrastructure needs identified only per Member State rather than per border, unclear distinction between monetised and non-monetised benefits in project ranking, and insufficient data for assessing hydrogen project candidates. The agency recommends delivering TYNDP data on time, introducing capacity needs assessment per border for each energy vector, clearly distinguishing between projects' monetised and non-monetised benefits, ensuring greater transparency in complementary project evaluations, and introducing maturity criteria for electricity projects. ACER states that addressing these issues will make the PCIs/PMIs selection process more transparent, consistent and credible to ensure Europe invests in appropriate infrastructure to meet its energy and climate goals.