Wind wire: Strategic energy projects

The funds include EUR450 million for offshore wind grid systems, EUR800 million for energy networks and EUR250 million for carbon and capture technology. Members of the European Parliament want the increase to be added to the budget rather than taken from other programmes, as suggested by some states. "The Parliament has many instruments that should be used in even better, more effective and more powerful ways precisely to ensure that the crisis can be overcome," says parliament's budget rapporteur, Laszlo Surjan. "The recovery plan is a new plan and therefore it cannot be financed within the old multi-annual financial framework. It is impossible to manage without fresh money." The budget should be approved this month.