This call for proposals aims at financing projects contributing to the goals and objectives of the European Green Deal, as well as the Paris Agreement and the 2030 climate and energy targets and the EU's mid-term and long-term objectives in terms of decarbonisation, in accordance with recitals 5 and 30 of the CEF Regulation and in line with the Multi-annual Work Programme.

It is expected that the financial assistance under this call contributes to the further identification and development of the envisaged CB RES projects. Cross-border RES projects are expected to contribute to a cost-effective achievement of renewables target by 2030 in the EU (as referred to in Article 3 of Directive 2018/2001/EC) and to the strategic uptake of renewables technologies and is an integral element of the enabling framework for regional and cross-border cooperation on renewables.

Preparatory studies as per Article 7(3) of the CEF Regulation aim to “develop and identify cross-border projects in the field of renewable energy”. Cross-border renewable energy projects are defined in Article 2 (k) of the CEF Regulation: “cross-border project in the field of renewable energy” means a project selected or eligible to be selected under a cooperation agreement or any other kind of arrangement between two or more Member States or arrangements between one or more Member States and one or more third countries as set out in Articles 8, 9, 11 and 13 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 in the planning or deployment of renewable energy, in accordance with the criteria set out in Part IV of the Annex to this Regulation. On that basis, a proposal for preparatory study should demonstrate in its scope the link to planning or deployment of renewable energy. Without a renewable energy component, a proposal would not meet the main requirement for a preparatory study.

The objective of this call is to support preparatory studies as per Article 7(3) of the CEF Regulation, e.g. to develop and identify CB RES projects. Such studies can assist project promoters in selecting the best project concept and setting up the cooperation agreement, allowing for projects to be supported prior to having acquired the official status of a CB RES project (CB RES status).

Please note that proposals under this call cannot combine preparatory studies and technical studies and works. For the technical studies and works, separate calls for proposals are launched, and a precondition for eligibility is first to receive the CB RES status.

Preparatory studies in the meaning of Article 7(3) of the CEF Regulation allow for support to both EU Member States but also private project promoters in order to advance cooperation ideas, create momentum amongst involved stakeholders and with this generate a pipeline of CB RES projects. They provide specifically support to the project before aquiring the CB RES status.

The purpose of support for preparatory studies is to overcome the obstacles that have in the past prevented cooperation projects from going ahead, such as uncertainty on the allocation of costs and benefits between involved Member States or the additional complexity of setting up cross-border support.

Applications related to preparatory studies must comply with the CEF Regulation and with the specific conditions set out in this call.

Proposals contributing to the development of the future CB RES project generation delivering in any of the RES technologies as defined in Article 2 of the Renewable Energy Directive (EU)are eligible.

Projects that contribute to the REPowerEU objectives and the initiatives, announced as part of the REPowerEU plan from May 2022, would be particularly relevant for the call. This is valid for projects that are in line with the EU solar strategy and the European Solar Rooftop Initiative and would contribute to the REPowerEU target of over 320 GW of solar photovoltaic newly installed by 2025 and almost 600 GW by 2030. Relevant would also be projects that accelerate renewable hydrogen as a replacement of natural gas, coal and oil in hard-to-decarbonise industries and transport and contribute to the REPowerEU target of 10 million tonnes of domestic renewable hydrogen production.

A proposal for a preparatory study should demonstrate in its scope the link to planning or deployment of renewable energy.

A study in the meaning of Article 7(3) of the CEF Regulation can be designed as a pre-feasibility study. The funding can also be used to provide technical, economic or legal support in setting up or advancing cross-border cooperation with the objective to select the best project concept. As part of such a preparatory study, it is possible to cover also some wider system-related aspects, e.g. the integration of additional storage investments, or of transport and/or digital related investments for synergetic elements.

A study can be used to start exploring (mainly through desktop studies) the possible sites in the territory of Member States (and third countries if applicable) in order to determine the hosting and off-taking (contributing) countries, as well as other exploratory tasks needed to assess the overall cost and benefits of the project. It should allow identifying and formalising the underpinning cooperation mechanism and can include related communication and stakeholder involvement activities.

A study may also investigate the best form of support, such as auctioning and tendering set-up as well as all aspects for which national grid, market and other rules differ in the participating Member States and would need to be agreed upon for a CB RES project to go ahead.

Examples of activities, which could be part of studies as per Article 7 (3) of the CEF Regulation, include:

• pre-feasibility studies, used to start exploring (mainly through desktop studies) the possible geographical sites ;
• exploratory tasks to assess the overall cost and benefits of the project; first evaluation of overall cost and benefits of the project, including cost of energy generation, system integration, cost of support, greenhouse gas emissions, security of supply, air and other local pollution, innovation;
• analysis of wider system-related aspects e.g. aspects of market and grid integration, grid financing aspects, the integration of additional storage investments, or of transport and/or digital related investments for synergetic elements;
• identification of possible financing sources, assessing Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) potential;
• communication and stakeholder involvement activities;
• cooperation activities between Member States, including the assessment of cost-benefit sharing.

In case the proposal concerns the development of the cooperation activities between Member States, applicants may need to contact the relevant authority of the concerned Member State. Applicants are strongly encouraged to get in touch with the relevant authority as early as possible. Please refer to the CB RES Member States contact points available in the Programme website.

Proposals can be composed of single applicant or based on a consortium. It is not necessary to have participants from all concerned countries in which the project will be implemented. This choice is the remit of applicants, depending on the proposals’ objectives, activities and expected impact.

In line with Article 11 of the CEF Regulation, to be eligible, proposals shall either be submitted by one or more Member States or have the agreement of the Member States concerned as expressed through the letter of support.