The EU Commission has granted 235 cross-border energy projects eligibility to apply for funding from the Connecting Europe Facility to strengthen interconnectivity across Europe and with neighbouring countries.
The projects aim to strengthen interconnectivity across Europe and with neighbouring countries, enhancing EU competitiveness, supporting decarbonisation, and improving energy security and independence.
“These projects are more than cross-border infrastructure projects, they are the lifelines of our Energy Union,” said EC executive vice-president Teresa Ribera: “They empower our EU energy system by unifying the strengths of 27 complementary systems, paving the way for a Europe where green, competitive, and secure energy is not just a promise, but a common reality.”
The list of new Projects of Common Interest (PCIs) and Projects of Mutual Interest (PMIs) include projects in electricity, hydrogen, carbon transport infrastructure and smart gas grids projects.
PCIs are designed to complete the EU energy market and contribute to climate-neutrality objectives, ensuring that all Europeans have access to affordable, reliable, and renewable energy. PMIs encompass cross-border infrastructure between EU and non-EU countries, contributing to the EU’s energy and climate goals, including its recently adopted Global Vision.
Investment needs for European energy infrastructure are estimated to reach €1.5 trillion over the period 2024-2040.
The selected PCIs and PMIs include:
- 113 electricity, offshore and smart electricity grid projects that will be essential for integrating the growing share of renewables.
- 100 hydrogen and electrolyser projects which will play a major role in integrating and decarbonising the EU’s energy system.
- 17 carbon transport infrastructure projects that will advance the development of the market for carbon capture and storage.
- 3 smart gas grids projects to digitalise and modernise the natural gas network.
- the continued inclusion of 2 long-standing projects linking Malta and Cyprus to the mainland European gas network.
The PCI and PMI list will now be submitted to the European Parliament and the Council in the form of a Delegated Act for scrutiny, as mandated under the TEN-E Regulation. Both co-legislators have two months to either accept or reject the list in full but may not amend it. This process can be extended by two months, if requested by the co-legislators.
Delegated Regulation on the second Union list of Projects of Common and Mutual Interest
PCI interactive map (to be updated once the new list formally enters into force)
