Energy Union: New €980 million call for proposals launched for cross-border energy infrastructure

Today, the Commission is launching a call for proposals worth €980 million for key European energy infrastructure projects with major cross-border benefits. The EU funding comes from the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), the European support programme for trans-European infrastructure. To apply for CEF Energy funding, projects must first be designated Projects of Common Interest (PCIs). PCIs need to have a significant impact on at least two EU countries and must increase competitiveness, enhance the EU’s energy security and contribute to sustainable development. In line with the European Green Deal objectives, and in response to the public debate and the views of the European Parliament, the Commission will put an enhanced focus on the contribution to climate neutrality objectives when assessing the applications for funding this year. Due consideration will be given to electricity projects, including network projects and electricity storage projects to support the deployment of renewable energy in particular. CEF-Energy has a total budget of €4.9 billion for trans-European energy infrastructure for the period 2014-2020; information on projects selected in previous years is available here. More information on the call for proposals is available here.