EU Cross-Border Renewable Projects 2026: What Changes for Developers and Energy Companies

Key data

If you have a renewable energy project with an international component within the EU, this regulatory update can open or close your access to European financing. The Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/1470, published on 11 September 2026, amends Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/2202 and updates the list of selected cross-border projects under the EU financing mechanism for renewable energies.

The key lies in which projects enter and which exit. Being on this list is not a minor administrative procedure: it determines whether a project can access European support mechanisms and whether a Member State can count that energy towards its national renewable energy targets.

What does this regulation establish?

The EU financing mechanism for renewables allows a Member State to purchase renewable energy produced in another EU country and count it towards its own national renewable energy targets. For this to be possible, projects must be included in an official list of selected cross-border projects.

Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/2202 established the first version of this list. Now, Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/1470 updates it, with the following concrete effects:

The regulation does not publish the nominal list of included or excluded projects in the available summary. To consult which specific projects are part of the new list, it is necessary to access the full text published on EUR-Lex.

Economic and operational impact

The impact of this update is not homogeneous: it depends on whether your project enters or exits the list. The consequences are radically different in each case.

• Projects that enter the new list: They gain access to European financial support mechanisms under the cross-border cooperation framework. They can enter into renewable energy purchase and sale contracts with Member States that need to meet their national targets. This opens a revenue and financing channel that was not previously available.
• Projects excluded from the list: They lose eligibility for these European support mechanisms. Cross-border contracts already signed or under negotiation may be affected. The project's financial planning must be reviewed.
• Impact for Spain: As a country with high renewable potential (solar, wind), Spain can act as an exporter of renewable energy to other Member States with lower generation capacity. The inclusion of Spanish projects in the list means access to additional European demand and EU mechanism financing.

From an operational perspective, companies with projects in development must urgently verify whether their initiatives are included in the updated list, as this determines the financial viability and energy marketing strategy of the produced energy.

Who is affected?

• Developers and promoters of renewable energy projects with activity in more than one EU Member State.
• Energy companies that participate in cross-border renewable energy purchase and sale contracts (international PPAs).
• Investment funds and investors with positions in European cross-border renewable projects.
• CFOs and financial directors of energy companies that depend on European financing for project viability.
• Energy advisors and consultants who manage project eligibility for European support mechanisms.
• Member States and public entities that purchase renewable energy from other countries to meet their national targets, although the direct impact in this article focuses on the private sector.

Practical example

Imagine a Spanish development company that has developed a photovoltaic solar park in southern Spain with export capacity to France or Germany, countries with higher renewable demand and more demanding national targets.

If this project was included in the list of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/2202, it could access the EU financing mechanism and negotiate cross-border purchase and sale contracts with the French or German State, which would count that energy towards their own national renewable targets.

With the update of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/1470, the company must verify two possible scenarios:

• Scenario A — The project remains on the list: It maintains access to European financing and can continue or expand cross-border contracts. Financial planning is not altered.
• Scenario B — The project is excluded: It loses eligibility for European support mechanisms. It must reconsider its energy marketing strategy and seek alternative financing. Cross-border contracts under negotiation may lose their regulatory basis.

The difference between both scenarios can be decisive for the project's economic viability, especially if European financing was a key piece of the business model.

What should companies do now?

1. Consult the full text of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/1470 on EUR-Lex to identify which specific projects are part of the new updated list.
2. Verify whether your cross-border projects are included or excluded from the new list. This verification is a priority and must be done before any other financial or contractual decision.
3. Review cross-border purchase and sale contracts in force or under negotiation to assess whether the project's eligibility remains valid under the new list.
4. Update the project's financial model if it has been excluded from the list, identifying alternative financing sources and the impact on projected profitability.
5. Contact advisors specialized in European energy regulation to evaluate options for inclusion in future list updates or access to other available support mechanisms.
6. Monitor future revisions of the list, as the mechanism provides for periodic updates that can again modify project eligibility.

Official source

Consult complete regulation on official source

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/./legal-content/AUTO/?uri=OJ:L_202601470