The 12th edition of the Energy Infrastructure Forum took place in Copenhagen on 21-22 May 2026, bringing together policymakers, industry representatives, regulators and infrastructure developers to discuss the future of Europe’s energy infrastructure and the investments needed to support the clean energy transition.

As part of the event, on Friday morning CINEA awarded grant certificates to three strategic energy infrastructure projects supported under the 2025 Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) Energy call for Projects of Common and Mutual Interest. 

The ceremony was hosted by CINEA Head of Department for Sustainable Networks and Investments, Olivier Silla:

“Through the CEF programme managed by CINEA, the European Union firmly continues to support projects that will shape the energy system of tomorrow. These projects show how EU funding helps turn Europe’s energy and climate ambitions into concrete infrastructure on the ground, strengthening security of supply, accelerating decarbonisation and building a more interconnected and resilient energy system for all Europeans,” he said.

The three projects receiving grant certificates were:

• AGUAYO II (Spain): The “Construction of the Reversible Pumped-Storage Hydroelectric Power Plant AGUAYO II” project received over €180 million in EU funding. Implemented by REPSOL GENERACION ELECTRICA SA, the project will support electricity system flexibility and facilitate the integration of renewable energy sources through large-scale pumped-storage hydropower infrastructure.
• CARMEN (Romania and Bulgaria): the “Smart Grids Increasing RES and Interconnectivity in the SEE Region” project, received €103 million in CEF Energy support. The project is implemented by DELGAZ GRID SA, ELEKTROENERGIEN SISTEMEN OPERATOR EAD and TRANSELECTRICA, and aims to strengthen and modernise smart grid infrastructure in South-Eastern Europe to support renewable energy integration.
• Hydrogen Storage Gronau-Epe RWE (Germany): The project received over €120 million in EU funding. Implemented by RWE GAS STORAGE WEST GMBH, the project will support the development of hydrogen storage infrastructure, contributing to the emergence of an integrated European hydrogen market and reinforcing Europe’s clean energy transition. 

The three projects are among the 14 cross-border energy infrastructure projects selected under the 2025 CEF Energy call, which together received more than €650 million in EU funding earlier this year.

CEF Energy supports strategic cross-border infrastructure that helps strengthen Europe’s energy system and contributes to the EU’s climate and energy objectives, reflecting the EU’s continued efforts to build a more secure, sustainable and interconnected energy future.

If you missed the event, you can watch the recording here.