Even at this stage of the first call, with the submission of proposals now a distant memory, consortia could benefit from

• understanding the scope for EC and Member State influence on the selection of projects;
• understanding how to promote their project to the EC and Member States – whom to approach, when to approach them and the arguments to present.

Now is also the time to start preparing for the second call, for example by

• ensuring your future project could potentially be within the scope of the second call;
• pitching your idea to the Commission and, if relevant, Member States;
• understanding the extent of the EC’s ability to adapt NER300 rules between the first and second calls, and the how any changes would affect your proposal’s chances of winning the competition and succeeding as a project.

Greg Arrowsmith worked on NER300 on behalf of the renewable energy sector as it was drafted in the course of 2009. With experience in EU energy policy and research policy gained over 10 years of working in Brussels and a network of contacts formed during his campaigning on NER300, he is well placed to help project developers interested in the renewable energy or grid integration projects promote their projects or prepare for the second call. He maintains this site. Drop him a line on arrowsmith«at»ner300.com, or call on +44 7769 564 864.