European Union Adds Five Cross-Border Renewables Projects to CEF Energy List

The European Commission has cleared five additional cross-border renewable energy (CB RES) projects, bringing the official list to 13 and making them eligible to apply for funding under the CB RES window of the CEF Energy programme.

Newly added projects

• Liivi Bay Offshore Wind (Estonia/Latvia): ~1 GW fixed-radial connection in Estonian waters (Gulf of Riga), targeting first generation from 2031. Supports Estonia’s 100% renewable-electricity drive and Latvia’s transition.

  
  

• Utilitas Eleja–Jonišķis Wind Park (Latvia/Lithuania): 200 MW onshore wind from 2028, strategically tied to the 330 kV Viskaļi–Mūša line to strengthen regional grid stability and energy security.

  
  

• CORES – Comprehensive Offshore Renewable Energy Studies (Portugal/Luxembourg): Preparatory studies for floating offshore wind zones, grid reinforcements and auction models, with potential to unlock up to 10 GW in Portugal; also advances cooperation on green hydrogen, ports and system planning.

  
  

• Medlink Renewable Generation – MedGen (Algeria/Tunisia/Italy): Up to 10 GW solar & wind with dedicated storage in North Africa; two 2 GW HVDC links (outside the CB RES project scope) would export up to 22.8 TWh/year to Italy, bolstering sustainable development and EU diversification.

  
  

• Twin Heat (Poland/Germany): Decarbonises district heating in Słubice and Frankfurt (Oder) via renewable heat (including biomass) and cross-border heat exchange, cutting emissions and improving urban air quality.

  
  

These projects advance EU energy security, deepen cross-border cooperation and accelerate the deployment of renewables in line with EU climate goals.

Next steps: The updated CB RES list now goes to the European Parliament and Council for a two-month scrutiny period (extendable by another two months). After publication in the Official Journal, it enters into force 20 days later.