The EU launches a new €600 million call for strategic energy infrastructure projects
Europe is accelerating investment in strategic energy infrastructure as part of its broader energy transition and industrial competitiveness agenda. The European Commission’s new €600 million CEF Energy call sends a clear signal to the market: cross-border energy projects linked to hydrogen, electricity interconnections, smart grids and storage will remain a major EU funding priority over the coming years. For companies, infrastructure developers and public entities, the programme represents a significant opportunity to position projects within Europe’s evolving energy ecosystem and secure support for large-scale investments.
The European Commission has launched a new €600 million call under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF Energy) programme to support strategic cross-border energy infrastructure projects across Europe. Managed by CINEA, the programme focuses on projects linked to electricity interconnections, hydrogen infrastructure, smart grids, storage systems and CO₂ transport networks.
While the announcement itself is important, the call also sends a broader message: the EU is now prioritising the infrastructure needed to support Europe’s long-term energy transition.
A shift in Europe’s energy priorities
Following the energy crisis triggered by the war in Ukraine, Brussels has accelerated efforts to reduce energy dependency and strengthen European energy resilience. But the focus is no longer limited to renewable generation alone.
The EU is increasingly concentrating on the infrastructure required to transport, store and integrate clean energy across the continent.
This includes:
Cross-border electricity connections
Hydrogen corridors
Grid modernisation
Energy storage capacity
Industrial decarbonisation infrastructure
According to the European Commission, Europe will require massive investment in energy networks before 2030 to meet both climate and industrial competitiveness goals.
A highly selective programme
Despite the scale of available funding, CEF Energy remains highly competitive. Only projects included in the EU’s official Projects of Common Interest (PCI) and Projects of Mutual Interest (PMI) lists are eligible.
In practice, successful applications will require:
Strong technical maturity
Clear cross-border impact
Alignment with EU policy priorities
Robust consortium structures
For many organisations, early strategic positioning may be just as important as the funding application itself.
More than a funding call
Beyond the €600 million budget, this programme reflects a broader European strategy focused on energy security, industrial competitiveness and large-scale infrastructure deployment.
For companies operating in the energy and infrastructure sectors, the message from Brussels is increasingly clear: strategic energy infrastructure will remain one of the EU’s main investment priorities throughout the coming decade.
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