Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/1470 serves as an update to the official list of cross-border renewable energy projects eligible for funding under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF). The act formally incorporates three newly selected projects into the existing framework while simultaneously removing one project that is no longer viable in its current cross-border configuration. By maintaining this list, the European Commission ensures that only projects meeting strict criteria for decarbonization, market integration, and security of supply receive financial support. ****: This regulation is of particular significance to Ukraine, as it includes a new cross-border energy project involving Ukrainian infrastructure.
### Structure and Main Provisions
The regulation is structured as a brief legal instrument consisting of two articles and a comprehensive annex-style table.
* **Article 1** serves as the operative core, replacing the previous list of projects established by Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/2202 with an updated, consolidated table.
* **Article 2** establishes the timeline for entry into force, confirming that the regulation is binding and directly applicable across all EU Member States.
* **Changes:** Compared to the previous version, the list has been expanded to include three new projects (identified as 2025-2, 2025-4, and 2025-5) and reflects the removal of one previously listed project that failed to meet implementation requirements due to significant uncertainties.
### Key Provisions for Practical Application
For stakeholders and project developers, the following elements are the most critical:
1. **Eligibility for Funding:** Inclusion in the list provided in Article 1 is the mandatory prerequisite for projects to apply for financial assistance under the Connecting Europe Facility. Without this formal designation, projects cannot access these specific EU funds.
2. **Selection Criteria:** The projects included have undergone a rigorous assessment by the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency and the Commission, focusing on cost-effectiveness and the application of diverse technologies such as geothermal, wind, and solar energy.
3. **Compliance Requirements:** The regulation explicitly notes that inclusion in the list does not exempt projects from compliance with broader Union law, including environmental assessments and national permitting procedures.
4. ** – Ukraine Integration:** The list now includes project **2025-2, “Wind Integration for Network Decarbonization (WIND),”** which involves a partnership between Romania and Ukraine, with DTEK listed as the project developer. This marks a significant step in integrating Ukrainian energy infrastructure into the European renewable energy market and enhancing regional energy security.
