This subsection looks at the energy sector, focusing on the EU approach to PPP arrangements. The main priority of EU energy policy is to coordinate and optimize network development on a continental basis. As specified by the European Commission (2011), this means that
• Solidarity among member states should become fully operational;
• The internal market should be completed;
• Alternative supply/transit routes should be made available;
• Renewables should be further developed and begin to compete with traditional generation supply.
The aim is to ensure that strategic energy networks and storage facilities will be completed by 2020. Twelve trans-European priority corridors and areas have been identified to this end. They include electricity and gas networks as well as carbon dioxide transport infrastructures. EU goals are to be achieved by identifying specific energy infrastructure projects considered to be of "common interest" to member states. For instance, many projects are expected to focus on the European transmission system; and operators will need to build many more such projects than in the past.