European Commission opens TEN-E call for hydrogen,

Cresthaven AnalyticsIntelligence Brief

Headline

European Commission opens TEN-E call for hydrogen, electrolyser, and CO2 infrastructure projects seeking PCI or PMI status

Executive Summary

The European Commission opened a call for applications on June 25, 2026 under the TEN-E Regulation, targeting energy infrastructure projects in the hydrogen, electrolyser, and CO2 categories for Project of Common Interest or Project of Mutual Interest status. The submission window closes September 30, 2026.

The Commission aims to adopt the resulting Union list delegated act by end of 2027, with entry into force in early 2028.

Bottom Line

The Commission's open call places the September 30, 2026 application deadline as the operative gate for project promoters in the hydrogen, electrolyser, and CO2 sectors seeking PCI or PMI designation. Projects not submitted by that date are outside the current cycle. The delegated act containing the resulting Union list is targeted for Commission adoption by end of 2027, with entry into force in early 2028 contingent on no objection from the European Parliament or Council. Cresthaven reading: project developers in these categories face a defined submission window before a multi-stage assessment process that runs through late 2027.

Key Regulatory Signals

Submission Window Now Open: Project promoters in the hydrogen, electrolyser, and CO2 transport and storage categories may submit applications from June 25 through September 30, 2026. Hydrogen and electrolyser applicants submit via the ENTSOG platform; CO2 transport and storage applicants use a separate channel identified in the Commission's release.
Separate Call for Remaining Categories: Applications for electricity, smart electricity grids, and smart gas grids are not included in this call. The Commission states those categories will open in September 2026.
Multi-Stage Assessment Before Inclusion: Submitted projects face eligibility screening under the TEN-E Regulation, followed by evaluation and ranking by TEN-E Regional Groups. Projects meeting all regulatory requirements may then be proposed for inclusion in the Union list.
ACER Opinion Sits Within the Process: The Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER) is scheduled to issue an opinion on the draft Union list between June and September 2027 for both the hydrogen and electrolyser track and the CO2 track, before the high-level decision-making body meets in October to November 2027.
Delegated Act Timeline Stated: The Commission states the delegated act containing the Union list will be adopted by end of 2027 and enter into force in early 2028, subject to no objection from the European Parliament or Council.

Regulatory Delta

No direct precedent for a standalone call covering hydrogen, electrolyser, and CO2 categories under the current TEN-E Regulation framework appears in the source; the release does not reference a prior equivalent call or list cycle by number. - This call separates hydrogen, electrolyser, and CO2 categories from electricity and smart grid categories, which run on distinct timelines and through separate application channels. - ACER's scheduled opinion on the draft Union list in mid-2027 places the agency at a formal checkpoint before the Commission adopts the delegated act.

Materiality Classification

MEDIUM — A Commission call for applications under the TEN-E Regulation with a defined September 30, 2026 submission deadline, relevant to project promoters and infrastructure developers in the hydrogen, electrolyser, and CO2 sectors seeking PCI or PMI designation.

Time Horizon

implementation — 2026-09-30

Intelligence Outlook

Monitor the European Commission's Directorate-General for Energy for the opening of the electricity, smart electricity grids, and smart gas grids application call announced for September 2026, and for updates to this proceeding through the TEN-E Regional Group assessment stages.