A new call for proposals for key cross-border EU energy infrastructure projects worth up to €850 million from the EU budget is being launched by the Commission today. Organised by the Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA), the call is open to projects included on the recently approved list of Projects of Common Interest (PCIs) and Projects of Mutual Interest (PMIs) - the first list adopted under the revised TEN-E Regulation. This will mean that new project categories such as offshore electricity grids and hydrogen projects will be eligible for support for the first time. Defined under the EU’s Connecting Europe Facility for Energy (CEF Energy) budget, today’s call foresees the possibility of awarding co-funded grants worth a total of up to €850 million from the EU budget. The call addresses funding proposals for studies and construction works and will be open until 22 October 2024 (17.00 CET). Results will be known early next year. A CEF Energy online info day has been scheduled for 14 May 2024 (afternoon) to present the call, explain its policy context and inform about the application and evaluation process.

Background

Projects of Common Interest (PCIs) are key cross-border infrastructure projects that link or significantly impact the energy systems of 2 or more EU countries, whereas Projects of Mutual Interest (PMIs) link energy infrastructure of 1 or more with neighbouring countries – and were introduced for the first time under the revised TEN-E Regulation. By focussing on cross-border links, PCIs and PMIs are key to delivering on the Union’s energy and climate targets, safeguarding security of energy supply and improving market integration.

Projects selected as PCIs/PMIs can automatically benefit from many advantages stemming from the Trans-European Network - Energy (TEN-E) Regulation, including an accelerated permit granting and improved regulatory treatment. Project promoters are also eligible to apply for financial support for preparatory studies and/or construction works under the CEF Energy programme.

CEF Energy has a grant budget of €5.88 billion for the period 2021-2027 and has initially been set up to support studies and construction works of PCIs in the areas of gas, electricity, smart grids and CO₂ networks. The Revised TEN-E Regulation updated the rules in line with the Commission’s decarbonisation agenda. While fossil fuel projects have been excluded in principle from eligibility to PCI/PMI status and CEF Energy, new types of projects such as offshore electricity grids and hydrogen projects have become eligible.

This first list under the revised TEN-E Regulation follows on from 5 PCI lists approved every other year since 2013 under the previous TEN-E Regulation.