The Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), set up in 2013 on the basis of the TEN-E Regulation as a key EU funding instrument in the sector of energy, helps to bridge the gap between the socioeconomic value at regional/European level (such as security of supply, innovation and solidarity) and the commercial viability of projects through the regulatory framework.

The revised TEN-E Regulation expected to come into force in June 2022 fully aligns the policy framework with the European Green Deal and reflects implementation experience gained since 2013. The revised TEN-E Regulation with 11 priority corridors and 3 priority thematic areas to further develop and interconnect energy networks in Europe will make a key contribution to the energy transition. It will cover new infrastructure categories eligible for EU support such as offshore electricity grids, hydrogen infrastructure and smart grids in electricity and gas.

Since its start, CEF Energy has funded 149 actions contributing to the improvement of 107 PCIs with a total financial support of €4.7 billion. So far, 96 actions have been successfully completed and 48 actions are ongoing (others terminated). These figures highlight how CEF Energy has enabled the implementation of key energy infrastructure projects, in particular cross-border electricity and gas interconnections.