The European Commission on Monday approved 235 new cross-border energy projects, granting them PCI (Projects of Common Interest) and PMI (Projects of Mutual Interest) status. These projects will benefit from accelerated permitting, regulatory support, and access to Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) funding, strengthening the EU’s overall energy system.
For Cyprus, three categories of projects stand out. First, the Israel–Cyprus–Greece Great Sea Interconnector (GSI), including the Hadera–Kofinou and Kofinou–Korakia links, is considered strategically important as it will electrically connect Cyprus for the first time with both the European mainland and Israel, enhancing security of supply and supporting renewable energy integration.
Second, the Prinos Apollo CO₂ storage project, which will accept CO₂ shipments from Greece, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Croatia, Italy, and Slovenia, helping establish a regional carbon capture and storage market. And third, the EastMed pipeline retains its PCI status as a project of common European interest for transporting Eastern Mediterranean natural gas to Greece via Cyprus and Crete.
Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen stressed that energy infrastructure is “the backbone of our Energy Union and the foundation of a strong, prosperous Europe,” adding that the selected projects will deliver cleaner, cheaper, and more secure energy.
At EU level, the list includes 113 electricity, offshore and smart-grid projects, 100 hydrogen and electrolyser projects, 17 CO₂ transport infrastructure projects, and 3 smart natural-gas network projects, while maintaining two long-standing gas interconnectors involving Cyprus and Malta. The Commission highlighted that modern, integrated networks are crucial for energy security, affordability, and Europe’s strategic autonomy. Investment needs for electricity, hydrogen, and CO₂ networks are estimated at €1.5 trillion between 2024 and 2040.
According to information from CNA, the upcoming European Grids Package, expected around 10 December, will focus on enhanced interconnectivity, accelerated permitting, stronger central planning by the Commission, and joint funding among member states to ensure fair cost-sharing and faster project delivery.
The new PCI/PMI list will now be submitted to the European Parliament and the Council as a Delegated Act, with a two-month window for approval or rejection. After adoption, the Commission will work with member states to accelerate implementation.