Criteria, Methodology and Selection of Priority Electricity Infrastructure Projects in Southeast Europe

Southeast Europe is a specific area within common European synchronous power system for at least two reasons: 1) it consists of small size power systems mutually very well connected with significant cross-border influence and 2) part of the region are not European Union (EU) member states, having different regulatory obligations and timelines than neighbouring EU member states. The overall objective of the paper is to introduce criteria and methodology to select the priority energy infrastructure projects in Southeast Europe until 2050. The final target is to enhance market integration, security of supply, sustainability and competition of the electricity markets. The authors have developed a project-assessment methodology which was used to evaluate the impact of the proposed projects on the regional level. The methodology consists of cost-benefit analysis (CBA) and of a multi-criteria analysis (MCA) to evaluate other important contributions of the projects (non-monetary component) in line with the indicators defined in the Regulation (EU) No 2022/869. The most important outcome of this project assessment was to evaluate regional impacts and welfare and not specific national benefits or benefits for individual project investors. This selection process was monitored by the Energy