The European Commission has opened the application process for new Projects of Common Interest (PCIs) and Projects of Mutual Interest (PMIs) in energy infrastructure, including electricity transmission and storage, as well as smart electricity and gas grids.

The call is part of the process to draw up the European Union’s third PCI and PMI list under the Trans-European Networks for Energy (TEN-E) Regulation. The selected projects will be considered strategic infrastructure for strengthening the integration of Europe’s energy system.

Electricity storage among eligible categories

For electricity projects, the Commission has established categories covering electricity transmission and electricity storage.

Applications opened on 14 September and will remain open until 13 November 2026. Projects will then be assessed against the eligibility criteria established under the TEN-E Regulation.

The inclusion of electricity storage allows projects capable of storing electricity, including battery-based projects, to apply provided they meet the relevant requirements. However, the category is not limited exclusively to battery energy storage systems (BESS).

Projects that pass the initial stage will be assessed and ranked by the TEN-E regional groups before they can be proposed for inclusion in the new EU list.

Smart grids

The process also includes smart electricity grids and smart gas grids, with applications remaining open until 4 December 2026.

For the electricity system, these infrastructures are becoming increasingly relevant as renewable generation expands, new electricity demand emerges and networks require greater capacity and flexibility to manage generation and consumption.

The Commission’s timetable includes consultations with national regulatory authorities and a public consultation on candidate projects between late 2026 and the first months of 2027.

Hydrogen and electrolysers also included

The third PCI and PMI selection process is not limited to electricity infrastructure. It also covers projects related to hydrogen, electrolysers, and CO2 transport and storage.

However, applications for these categories did not open on 14 September. Their selection process had already started, with applications remaining open until 30 September 2026.

The third list will therefore bring together different types of energy infrastructure considered strategic for market integration and the transformation of Europe’s energy system.

Third PCI and PMI list expected by the end of 2027

Following the submission of electricity applications, the Commission’s timetable foresees the identification of infrastructure needs between November 2026 and March 2027, alongside consultations with national regulators and the public on candidate projects.

Project assessment is expected to take place between February and May 2027, while ACER is expected to issue its opinion on the draft list between June and September 2027.

The European Commission plans to adopt the delegated act containing the third PCI and PMI list by the end of 2027. The new list is expected to enter into force in early 2028, following scrutiny by the European Parliament and the Council.

Projects obtaining PCI or PMI status are recognised as strategic infrastructure within the EU’s energy policy framework and are subject to the provisions established under the TEN-E Regulation.