The second list of Projects of Common Interest (PCIs) and Projects of Mutual Interest (PMIs) has been published in the Official Journal of the European Union. It outlines 235 selected cross-border energy infrastructure projects that will strengthen energy connectivity across the continent, bringing nearer the completion of the Energy Union. Once in force, in 20 days time, it will formally replace the 1st Union List of PCIs and PMIs.
The projects on the list will benefit from streamlined permit-granting and regulatory support and will be eligible to apply for EU financing from the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF). The new projects will be able to apply for EU funding when the Commission launches the 2026 CEF call at the end of April 2026, with the deadline for applications at the end of September 2026.
Out of the 235 selected PCIs and PMIs, nearly half (113) are electricity, offshore and smart electricity grid projects that will be essential for integrating the growing share of renewables. 100 hydrogen and electrolyser as well as 3 smart gas grids projects are included in the list to help decarbonise EU industry and transport and replace the use of natural gas in the EU, further decreasing our dependency on fossil fuel imports. The list also features 17 CO2 network projects in line with EU goals to create a market for carbon capture and storage.
The Commission will support the implementation of these projects through stepped-up political coordination with the member states concerned, drawing on the regional High-Level Groups designed to support energy infrastructure development in key regions, including with partner countries, as well as the Energy Union Task Force.
Ensuring a well-integrated and optimised European energy grid is crucial to accelerating a cost-efficient and clean energy transition. The 2nd Union list of PCIs and PMIs, together with the European Grids Package and the Energy Highways Initiative will further accelerate the development of the necessary energy infrastructure in Europe and will urgently tackle cross-border energy infrastructure bottlenecks and increase the overall resilience of the EU’s energy system.
Background
PCIs are designed to complete the EU energy market and contribute to climate-neutrality objectives, ensuring that all Europeans have access to affordable, reliable, and renewable energy. PMIs encompass cross-border infrastructure between EU and non-EU countries, contributing to the EU’s energy and climate goals, including its recently adopted Global Vision.
The list published today in the Official Journal is the second Union list of PCIs and PMIs established under the revised TEN-E Regulation, in force since June 2022. The publication of the list follows the end of the scrutiny period for the Council and the European Parliament, which confirmed their support for the list.
The Connecting Europe Facility (CEF-Energy) instrument has provided €8.7 billion for flagship projects since 2014. A prime example of cross-border landmark projects is the Baltic synchronisation, through which the Baltic states have regained independence from Russia’s electricity grid, fully embedding the three countries in the EU energy system. As part of the 2028-2034 Multi-annual Financial Framework, the Commission proposed a five-fold increase of the CEF Energy budget from €5.84 billion to €29.91 billion.
