The European Commission has launched the Trans-Mediterranean Renewable Energy and Clean Tech Cooperation (T-MED) initiative, a new energy cooperation programme aimed at mobilising up to €25 billion in investments by 2035 to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy, hydrogen, clean technologies, electricity networks and related industries across the Mediterranean region.

The initiative was unveiled during the European Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW) by Commissioner for the Mediterranean, Dubravka Šuica, and Commissioner for Energy and Housing, Dan Jørgensen. It forms part of the Pact for the Mediterranean, the EU framework designed to strengthen cooperation with countries in the Middle East and North Africa.

To support the programme, the Commission will make available more than €5 billion in guarantee capacity through the European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus (EFSD+), helping to reduce investment risks and attract both public and private capital into energy and clean technology projects.

Targeting 15 GW of renewables and more than 100,000 jobs

The Commission expects T-MED to contribute to the development of 15 GW of new renewable energy capacity by 2035, support regulatory reforms in partner countries and help create more than 100,000 jobs in clean energy sectors.

The initiative seeks to strengthen energy cooperation across the Mediterranean through strategic partnerships involving governments, financial institutions, companies and local stakeholders. According to the Commission, T-MED will help diversify energy systems and supply chains while enhancing energy security, competitiveness and decarbonisation efforts across the region.

Five pillars of action

The initiative will be implemented through five key areas:

• Investment mobilisation, bringing together European and international financial institutions and private investors to support renewable energy and clean technology projects.
• Regulatory cooperation, helping partner countries improve investment frameworks, streamline permitting procedures and reduce barriers to investment.
• Skills development, through a T-MED Skills Agenda designed to align vocational training with the needs of the clean energy industry.
• Infrastructure upgrades and renewable energy trading, including grid modernisation, cross-border electricity trade and smart technologies to better integrate renewable generation.
• Clean-tech industrial cooperation, promoting local manufacturing, innovation and industrial partnerships across the Mediterranean region.

Calls for investors and project developers

As a first step, the Commission has launched a Call for Expressions of Interest for private investors, including commercial banks, asset managers and impact funds, open until 15 June.

It has also opened a Call for Expressions of Interest for project promoters, available until 15 August 2026, targeting companies interested in developing projects under the T-MED framework.

The Commission plans to hold the first operational meeting of the T-MED Investment Platform in October 2026, while the first EU-Mediterranean clean-tech industrial partnerships are expected to begin taking shape in 2027.

Mediterranean renewable potential

Speaking at the launch, Dubravka Šuica highlighted that the Mediterranean region holds an estimated 2,300 GW of renewable energy potential, more than twice the EU’s current installed renewable capacity, while solar and wind generation costs are 30% to 40% lower than in Europe.

Dan Jørgensen stressed that Europe’s energy security requires a transition towards electrified energy systems based on clean energy, stronger interconnections and modern electricity networks, reducing dependence on fossil fuel imports and exposure to volatile energy prices.