The European Commission has granted 235 cross-border energy projects the status of Projects of Common Interest (PCIs) and Projects of Mutual Interest (PMIs), marking the second such list since its launch in 2023. These projects will now be eligible to apply for funding through the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) and will benefit from accelerated permitting and regulatory processes to support faster implementation.

According to the Commission, the selected initiatives will reinforce energy connectivity across the continent and move the EU closer to completing the Energy Union. By facilitating key interconnections within the EU and with neighbouring countries, the projects are expected to support competitiveness, advance decarbonisation, and enhance Europe’s energy security and independence.

A recent Commission study estimates that investment needs for European energy infrastructure—including electricity, hydrogen and CO? networks—will reach €1.5 trillion between 2024 and 2040. The newly approved project portfolio and its associated investments are expected to contribute significantly to meeting the identified 2040 requirements.

Breakdown of selected projects

The new PCI and PMI list includes:

• 113 electricity, offshore and smart grid projects, essential for integrating a growing share of renewable energy.

• 100 hydrogen and electrolyser projects, which will be key to decarbonising the EU energy system.

• 17 carbon transport infrastructure projects, supporting the development of a European carbon capture and storage market.

• 3 smart gas grid projects aimed at digitalising and modernising the natural gas network.

• 2 long-standing gas interconnection projects linking Malta and Cyprus with the mainland EU network.

The Commission plans to support the implementation of these projects through reinforced political coordination with Member States, using the Energy Union Task Force and existing regional High-Level Groups focused on advancing strategic infrastructure, including projects involving partner countries.

Role in the clean energy transition

As highlighted in the Commission’s Affordable Energy Action Plan, efficient and interconnected energy networks are fundamental to enabling the clean energy transition and ensuring affordable, reliable energy for households and industry. The Commission will soon present the European Grids Package, designed to accelerate the development of necessary energy infrastructure, and will further elaborate on the Energy Highways initiative, aimed at tackling cross-border bottlenecks and improving system resilience.

The list adopted today will be submitted to the European Parliament and the Council as a Delegated Act under the TEN-E Regulation. Lawmakers will have two months to approve or reject the list in full, with the option to extend the scrutiny period by an additional two months. Once officially adopted, the Commission will intensify collaboration with project promoters and Member States to facilitate smooth and timely implementation.

This week, the Commission is hosting the PCI Energy Days, focused on the practical execution of PCIs and PMIs. Commissioner for Energy and Housing Dan Jørgensen is participating in the event.

PCIs aim to complete the EU energy market and support climate-neutrality objectives by ensuring access to affordable, reliable, and renewable energy. PMIs cover cross-border infrastructure involving non-EU countries that contribute to the EU’s energy and climate goals, including its Global Vision.

This is the second PCI/PMI list under the revised Trans-European Networks for Energy (TEN-E) regulation, adopted in 2022, which shifts funding away from fossil fuels toward low-carbon and resilient cross-border energy systems.

Since 2014, the Connecting Europe Facility – Energy has allocated €8 billion to major energy infrastructure projects, including the landmark Baltic synchronisation, which fully integrated the Baltic states into the EU electricity system. Under the EU’s 2028–2034 Multiannual Financial Framework, the Commission has proposed increasing the CEF Energy budget from €5.84 billion to €29.91 billion.