Common projects: Europe focuses on energy

There’s a geography that doesn’t show up on political maps, but which is decisive for the economic and industrial future of the continent. It’s the geography of energy grids: submarine cables, on-land backbones, hydrogen corridors, storage systems. With the European Union’s list of Projects of Common Interest (PCIs) and Projects of Mutual Interest (PMIs), Brussels redrew this map in late 2025, bringing to 235 the number of projects considered strategic for energy security, decarbonisation and the integration of markets. A leap forward from the previous selection, this represents a phase of unprecedented growth, not so much because the number of projects has climbed from the 166 selected in 2023 to today’s 235 as because many of them feature Italy as their centre of gravity. Taken as a whole, the European Union has issued nothing short of a political and industrial declaration with a clear message: the energy of the future hinges on grids, on their capacity to connect countries, balance different systems, absorb the growth in renewables and decrease Europe’s dependence on external sources.

Italy at the heart of the energy corridors. Looking at the map of projects of strategic significance for the EU, Italy occupies an important position. It is affected by projects involving electricity, hydrogen and storage, reflecting the country’s natural role as an energy bridge between the Mediterranean and mainland Europe. From its electrical interconnections with Greece, Montenegro, Tunisia and Switzerland to its immense hydroelectric pumping systems, and even the hydrogen corridors concerning North Africa and Central Europe, the task ahead is clear: to strengthen the resilience of the system and to transform geographical positioning into a strategic advantage.

It’s not simply a question of increasing transport capacity: the possibilities at play include integrating vastly different forms of renewable production across the continent, stabilising markets, reducing price volatility and supporting industrial competitiveness. Against this backdrop, grids are no longer simply passive infrastructure, but platforms which actually enable the path forward.

Electricity grids: the backbone of the transition. The new PCI list confirms what has now become obvious: without adequate grids, the energy transition cannot be completed. The growth in renewables, particularly those which are non-programmable, requires infrastructure capable of handling variable flows, cross-border exchanges and new flexibility requirements. This is where electrical interconnections become a decisive factor, not just for the security of supply, but also for the overall efficiency of the European system.

Italy, with its mixture of terrestrial and marine connections, is called upon to play a starring role. The new projects selected by the EU confirm this, underlining the country’s central part in building an increasingly integrated electricity market. This is why the new entries on the list include the Medlink power line that will connect Sicily to Tunisia; the Sa.Co.I. 3 from the mainland to Corsica and Sardinia; the Montalto and Avenza domestic line (HG North Tyrrhenian Corridor); and the interconnection with Tunisia, i.e. the Elmed project.

Hydrogen enters Europe’s grids. Alongside electricity, hydrogen is making its structural entry into European planning. The corridors selected on the PCI list demonstrate Brussels’ current view of this molecule, which it considers a possible part of the energy future.

For Italy, the hydrogen pipeline projects towards Greece and Switzerland and the connection with North Africa open up new possibilities, in which present and future infrastructures must interact with the electricity grids. This is both a technological integration and regulatory challenge, requiring advanced skills and long-term thinking.

Terna’s strategic role. In this complex and rapidly evolving context, Terna’s role is clear to see. As Italy’s National Transmission System Operator (TSO), Terna is one of the key players in the construction and integration of the strategic infrastructure identified at European level. Strengthening interconnections, developing innovative solutions for the integration of renewables, as well as focusing on the security and resilience of the system are cornerstones of its activities.

The European projects are not isolated initiatives, but part of the framework of an industrial strategy that sees Terna committed to transforming the grid into an increasingly digital, flexible and interconnected infrastructure. It’s this evolution that will allow Italy to make a tangible contribution to the European targets for decarbonisation and energy independence.

From European lists to local territories. Behind all the acronyms and maps are real construction sites, territories and communities. The Projects of Common Interest are not just tools to accelerate authorisations and investments, but opportunities to modernise existing infrastructure, reduce historic bottlenecks and support the development of renewables. The challenge is to combine a European vision with a local focus, technological innovation and environmental sustainability. This balance holds the secret to the success of the new era of European energy. And the grids, once again, are the key to it all.