EU Calls for Energy Infrastructure Projects up to US$663 Million

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Written by Martin Lynch, European News Editor for Industrial Info (Galway, Ireland)--The European Commission (EC) has launched calls for key cross-border infrastructure projects worth 600 million euro (US$663 million) in funding support.

Announced by the Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA), the goal is to continue strengthening Europe's power grid stability by boosting interconnections between European Union (EU) Members as well as increasing links to non-EU countries. The call is open to projects already included on the first list of Projects of Common Interest (PCIs) and Projects of Mutual Interest (PMIs). PCIs are key cross-border infrastructure projects that link, or significantly impact, the energy systems of two or more EU countries. PMIs link the energy infrastructure of one or more EU country with neighbouring (non-EU) countries. The funding on offer will cover proposals for studies and construction works, and will remain open until mid-September, with the winners expected to be announced in early 2026. Industrial Info is tracking almost 500 national and international European interconnection projects worth US$57 billion in investment. Subscribers to Industrial Info's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) Project Database can click here for the reports.

Commissioner for Energy and Housing Dan Jørgensen said: "Now, more than ever, we must intensify our investments to ensure a genuine Energy Union. This is key to power our competitiveness, ensure our energy security and bring down energy costs for all. Constructing the crucial missing links for seamless cross-border energy flows is essential -- and the Connecting Europe Facility's contribution is instrumental in this respect."

In late 2023, the EC revealed its first list of PCIs and PMIs that were fully in line with the European Green Deal by focusing on projects that would boost the clean energy infrastructure, and excluding fossil-fuel-related projects. The 166 projects chosen would benefit from "streamlined permitting and regulatory procedures, and become eligible for EU financial support from the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF)." For the first time, the list included hydrogen electrolysers and related projects, which accounted for almost 40% of the total.

Out of the 166 selected PCIs and PMIs:

• More than half (85) are electricity, offshore and smart electricity grid projects, with many expected to be commissioned between 2027 and 2030.
• For the first time, hydrogen and electrolyser projects (65) are included, which will play a major role in enabling energy system integration and the decarbonisation of EU industry.
• The list also includes 14 CO2 network projects in line with our goals to create a market for carbon capture and storage.

There has been an explosion in blue and green hydrogen-related projects in Europe over the past two years. A key part of that has been on the infrastructure side with many pipeline operators repurposing gas pipelines for the transport of hydrogen. Industrial Info is tracking 40 projects worth US$1.1 billion, led by Germany with more than half of them, followed by France, Austria, Slovakia and the U.K.. Subscribers to Industrial Info's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) Project Database can click here for the reports.

Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is the leading provider of industrial market intelligence. Since 1983, IIR has provided comprehensive research, news and analysis on the industrial process, manufacturing and energy related industries. IIR's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) helps companies identify and pursue trends across multiple markets with access to real, qualified and validated plant and project opportunities. Across the world, IIR is tracking over 200,000 current and future projects worth $17.8 Trillion (USD).