CEF Energy has co-funded 70 natural gas actions with a total of €1.6 billion, helping to improve cross-border interconnections and gas flows, diversify gas supply sources and routes, and strengthen Europe’s energy security. These actions have played a vital role in building a more interconnected and resilient gas network - especially in response to the energy crisis triggered by the invasion of Ukraine.
Thanks to this support, 7,295 km of new natural gas pipelines have been built, boosting competition and making energy more affordable for consumers. These investments have added over 171 billion cubic meters of gas transmission capacity, 5.3 billion cubic meters of additional storage, and 25 billion cubic meters per year of new LNG send-out capacity.
By connecting Member States and reducing dependency on a single gas supplier, CEF Energy has helped limit price spikes, alleviate network congestion, and increase market stability. Ongoing Projects of Common Interest (PCIs) are due to be completed by 2027, enhancing availability to diversified sources of gas and gas storage capabilities.
Flagship projects
The project contributes to the development of a first floating liquified natural gas terminal in Poland with a regasification capacity of approx. 6.1 bcm/y and a storage capacity of approx. 170 tcm. The offshore part of the LNG Gdańsk will consist of a floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU), a jetty to accept and service FSRU and LNGC tankers, and a pipeline connecting the FSRU with the first dry weld to tie-in the offshore infrastructure with the national gas transmission system.
The project concerns the preparation of engineering and pre-investment studies, including engineering and design, location proceedings, public consultations, the environmental impact assessment for the offshore part of the Gdańsk terminal, as well as preparation of the final investment decision.
Upon completion, the project will be ready to enter the construction phase. The Gdańsk LNG terminal will contribute to improving the energy security and diversification of the gas supply for Poland as well as for Central and South-Eastern Europe.
EU contribution: €19.6 million
CEF Energy is supporting the upgrade and expansion of Bulgaria’s only underground gas storage facility in Chiren, a key step towards improving energy security in the country and the wider South-East Europe region. The project will increase the facility’s storage capacity to up to 1 billion cubic metres of active gas, with daily injection and withdrawal rates reaching 8 to 10 million cubic metres.
The project covers the construction of the above-ground infrastructure, including a compressor and metering station, as well as the development of new underground facilities, namely exploitation and observation wells. Once completed, the project will help balance gas supply and demand during peak periods and emergencies, making the gas system more flexible and reliable for the benefit of gas consumers in Bulgaria and neighbouring countries.
EU contribution: €78 million