The European Commission has approved nearly €650 million in grants under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) to support 14 cross-border energy infrastructure projects. The allocation aligns with the European Grids Package, which highlights improved interconnectivity as a means to enhance energy security, integrate renewable energy, and lower energy costs for consumers and industry. Additionally, this funding round includes support for protecting critical energy infrastructure and advancing hydrogen-related projects.
Of the total allocation, almost €470 million has been earmarked for six electricity infrastructure projects, including smart electricity grids. The largest grant, €180 million, has been awarded to the AGUAYO II project in Spain for constructing a reversible pumped storage hydropower plant. Moreover, nearly €113 million will support resilience and protection measures for critical energy infrastructure in Poland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania under the Baltic Synchronisation framework.
The modernisation of the Čierný Váh facility in Slovakia will receive €63 million, while a smart grids project between Bulgaria and Romania has been allocated almost €104 million to modernise and digitalise transmission and distribution networks. Two additional electricity projects, one involving an internal link in Austria and another connecting Greece and Egypt, will receive funding for support studies.
Furthermore, more than €176 million has been allocated to eight hydrogen infrastructure projects across Europe. This includes a €120 million grant for the Gronau hydrogen storage project in Germany. The project aims to develop a large-scale, cross-border underground hydrogen storage facility in northwestern Europe. Additionally, hydrogen-related studies in Austria, Bulgaria, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Slovakia will also receive financial support. This allocation marks the second funding round under the first PCI/PMI list and exceeds the initial indicative budget of €600 million, reflecting strong demand following the 2024 call.
