Energy Infrastructure Forum: CINEA commemorates the signature of the grant agreement with Gabreta and launches new interactive publication on CEF Energy

Today, 27 June 2024, the annual Energy Infrastructure Forum is kicking off in Copenhagen. CINEA participates in the discussions on the challenges of modernising Europe’s energy infrastructure and seizes the occasion to celebrate both the signature of the grant agreement with the CEF Energy co-funded smart grids project Gabreta and the launch of the new interactive publication on CEF Energy.

Organised by the European Commission in cooperation with the Danish Ministry of Climate, Energy and Utilities, the Energy Infrastructure Forum is a key annual event for EU representatives and stakeholders to discuss the challenges that entail the modernisation and functioning of the energy market in Europe, in particular its infrastructure and the Projects of Common Interest (PCIs) that make it up.

As usual, CINEA is taking active part in the event, which takes place on 27 and 28 June. The Agency’s director Paloma Aba-Garrote is speaking at the 'A fast-track to EU's net zero Infrastructure' high level session alongside Commissioner Kadri Simson, where she will highlight the key role of the CEF Energy programme for supporting the development of Net Zero Infrastructure for energy in Europe:

“The focus of the CEF Energy programme remains to foster the development of European energy network that is interconnected, sustainable and resilient. Such a network is crucial to ensure security of energy supply and the resilience of the system, and to contribute to the EU’s competitiveness and decarbonisation goals. By addressing key challenges and aiming at innovative solutions, CINEA remains fully committed to support the further efforts needed to deliver the modern and future-proof energy infrastructure in Europe."

CINEA has also seized this important occasion to celebrate a symbolic ceremony marking the signature of the grant agreement between the Agency and Gabreta, a smart grid project co-funded by CEF Energy. The signature officialises the grant award of over EUR 100 million for the project and the kick off of its implementation. Gabreta is a cross-border PCI aiming at the modernisation and interconnectivity of the energy distribution networks in Germany and Czechia, and the EU grant (which amounts to half of the starting investment) will contribute among others to integration of renewables and grid digitalisation.

What’s more, on the sidelines of the conference, CINEA has launched its yearly publication on CEF Energy. This year, the novelty is that the publication is not only digital but also interactive, taking the format of a webpage showcasing the positive impact of the funding programme in modernising European energy infrastructure. The webpage features some narrative on the impact of CEF Energy on the energy sectors supported over the first 10 years of CEF (electricity, smart grids, natural gas, CO₂ networks and renewable energy) as well as pictures, data and, most importantly, interactive maps where users can zoom and explore CEF Energy projects across the EU.