Energy News published: 29 June 2026Published on the site: 27 September 2026 6 min read

CEF Energy CB RES: the last call for cross-border green energy project status, until 6 October

CINEA is accepting applications for CB RES status until 6 October 2026, 17:00 CET. It is the last call of its kind in the 2021–2027 period, and the status is mandatory for CEF Energy funding of studies and works.

Todos & Company editorial team · EU funding consultancy since 2006

CEF Energy CB RES: the last call for cross-border green energy project status, until 6 October

Programme sheet · Call window open CEF Energy CB RES — cross-border renewable energy project status (6th call) Deadline: 6 October 2026

The European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) is accepting applications for cross-border renewable energy (CB RES) project status until 6 October 2026, 17:00 (Brussels time). Promoters of wind, solar, geothermal, ocean, sustainable biomass or hybrid projects can apply, provided the project is based on cooperation between at least two Member States or between a Member State and a third country. The Commission has stated that this is the last call for CB RES status in the 2021–2027 financial framework. Without the status, a project cannot apply for funding from the CB RES window of the CEF Energy programme.

There are nine days left until the deadline. Realistically, only teams that already have the agreement of the States involved and a cost-benefit analysis under way can submit.

In brief

Programme: Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) Energy, window for cross-border renewable energy projects (CB RES), 6th call for status
Authority: CINEA, on behalf of the European Commission
Beneficiaries: promoters of cross-border renewable projects, private or public, supported by at least two States (or by a Member State and a third country)
What you get: CB RES status, i.e. inclusion on the EU list. The status does not bring money in itself, but it is mandatory for funding studies and works under CEF Energy
Submission period: 29 June – 6 October 2026, 17:00 CET, on the dedicated CB RES platform
New list: expected in May–June 2027
Status: open, the last call for status in the 2021–2027 period

What is CB RES status and why does it matter?

CB RES is a European Commission list of renewable energy projects built through cooperation between several States. Only projects on this list can apply for funding from the CB RES window of CEF Energy. In addition, CINEA says the status brings European-level visibility, firmer support from Member States and greater investor confidence.

According to CINEA, since 2021 the programme has awarded over 165 million euro to 17 projects. On 17 September 2026, the Commission announced a further 125.81 million euro for three projects: two German-Polish and one Latvian-Lithuanian. Romania is already in the portfolio with the TMNHSA project, comprising two run-of-river hydropower plants with a total capacity of 840 MW on the Danube, between Turnu Măgurele and Nikopol (Bulgaria).

Who can apply and what conditions must be met?

Cooperation mechanism: the project must be based on a cooperation mechanism provided for in Articles 8, 9, 11 and 13 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001, between at least two Member States or between Member States and third countries.
Agreement of the States: a signed cooperation agreement must be submitted. If one does not yet exist, a written statement (letter of support) from the participating countries is accepted. It must clearly show that the States support the specific project and commit to cooperation.
Cost-benefit analysis: the project must show that the benefits of cooperation outweigh the costs, compared with a counterfactual scenario. The assessment uses seven indicators from Part IV of the Annex to the CEF Regulation (EU) 2021/1153.
Main component: renewable energy production. Components that do not produce renewable energy are permitted only if they are integrated, ancillary and help integrate the project into the system.

Which documents must be submitted, and how?

The application is submitted on the Commission's CB RES platform, with four annexes (the templates can be downloaded from the call page):

Annex 1: the cost-benefit analysis calculation tool (Excel file);
Annex 2: the annex to the application form and the cost-benefit analysis report;
Annex 3: the written statement of the participating countries or the signed cooperation agreement;
Annex 4: the sustainability and DNSH ("do no significant harm") compliance file.

Questions should be sent to CINEA-CEF-RENEWABLES@ec.europa.eu, but CINEA has announced that it will not answer those received after 22 September 2026.

What happens after obtaining the status?

CINEA expects the new CB RES list to be adopted in May–June 2027. Projects that obtain the status will be able to apply to the last CEF Energy funding call for studies and works on CB RES projects in the 2021–2027 period, which, according to CINEA, will be launched in 2027. Separately, CINEA has announced the next CB RES funding call for November 2026. It is aimed at projects already on the current list. The budget of the 2027 call has not yet been announced.

For reference, the previous funding call had 150 million euro, with submission between 5 February and 12 March 2026. It funded studies (feasibility, assessments, analysis of technical, environmental, legal or economic risks) and works (purchase and installation of equipment, construction and commissioning).

What this means for your business

Our recommendation: the call is not for a company that wants a photovoltaic park only for the domestic market. It suits developers working on large projects with energy export or statistical cooperation between States. In Romania's case, this usually means partners from Bulgaria, Hungary, the Republic of Moldova, Ukraine or Serbia. It also suits public authorities or energy companies preparing such projects.

The most frequent blocker: the statement of the participating States. Without it, the application is not eligible. If you do not already have a written commitment from the competent authorities, the chances of obtaining one by 6 October are slim.
The cost-benefit analysis is carried out in the official CINEA tool and compares the project with a scenario without cooperation. It is not a classic business plan.
If you miss the deadline, CINEA states explicitly that this is the last call for status in the 2021–2027 period. For the next budget, prepare your relationship with partner States and your environmental documentation well in advance.

For smaller renewable energy projects by companies or town halls, check the national programmes under the Modernisation Fund, for example stand-alone battery storage, or take the eligibility check.

Frequently asked questions

Does CB RES status bring money directly?

No. The status means inclusion on the European Commission's list of cross-border renewable energy projects. It is the mandatory condition for then applying for funding for studies and works from the CB RES window of the CEF Energy programme.

Can a project carried out only in Romania apply?

No. The project must be based on a cooperation mechanism between at least two Member States or between a Member State and a third country, in accordance with Directive (EU) 2018/2001. The application must contain the signed cooperation agreement or the written statement of support from the participating countries.

What is the exact deadline?

6 October 2026, 17:00 Brussels time (CET). The application is submitted on the European Commission's dedicated CB RES platform, together with the four mandatory annexes.

When can funding be requested after obtaining the status?

CINEA expects the new CB RES list to be adopted in May–June 2027. The last CEF Energy CB RES funding call for studies and works in the 2021–2027 period is expected to be launched in 2027. The budget and deadlines of this call have not yet been announced.

Which technologies are eligible?

Onshore and offshore wind, solar, sustainable biomass, ocean and geothermal energy, as well as hybrid solutions. Components that do not produce renewable energy are accepted only if they are integrated and ancillary to the project.

Official sources

Information checked on 27 September 2026. Conditions may be amended by the managing authority — check the guide in force before submitting.