Source: European Parliament
Greece started long-term planning of its future hydrogen infrastructure development within the European Ten-Year Network Development Plan[1].
The Greek hydrogen backbone project, which aims at connecting the future hydrogen production sites with Greek off-takers and European markets, is included in the Union list of Projects of Common Interest (PCIs) and Projects of Mutual Interest (PMIs)[2]. PCI status helps project development by providing streamlined permitting processes, and priority regulatory treatment.
Given its PCI status, the Greek hydrogen backbone project is for example eligible for the financial support under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) under certain conditions.
In 2025, the Commission allocated EUR 5.4 million to the project under CEF to support DESFA, the Greek transmission system operator, with studies that are necessary to realise this investment.
The CEF support will de-risk and accelerate the project. Renewable hydrogen can be supported with the Modernisation Fund and Greece can take part in the auctions-as-a-service of the European Hydrogen Bank auctions under the Innovation Fund.
The Commission is also in contact with the Greek administration for example within the context of Greece’s implementation of its recovery and resilience plan (RRP), which includes hydrogen-related actions[3].
In addition, Greece like other Member States will need to transpose the recent EU hydrogen legislation, which includes the sectoral consumption targets for industry and transport under the revised Renewable Energy Directive[4] and the recast Gas Directive[5].
The Commission is supporting Member States in this work through different means[6].
- [1] https://www.entsog.eu/tyndp#entsog-ten-year-network-development-plan-2024
- [2] https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_23_6047
- [3] The Greek RRP includes a relevant reform on the framework for hydrogen, which shall include licensing and permitting procedures.
- [4] Directive (EU) 2023/2413, transposition deadline 21 May 2025.
- [5] Directive (EU) 2024/1788, transposition deadline 5 August 2026.
- [6] This includes workshops on the consumption targets under the Renewable Energy Directive and a Q&A tool for Member States administrations on the Gas Directive.