The Black Sea submarine cable project has been granted Projects of Mutual Interest (PMI) status by the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union. This was announced by the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia.
PMI is a priority status granted by the EU to energy projects that connect European Union member states with neighboring countries. Key benefits include funding (grants and concessional financing), streamlined administrative processes (expedited permits and licenses), and a robust legal framework (the project falls under EU legislation, which bolsters investor confidence).
The Ministry also detailed the advantages of the PMI status, emphasizing that it entails simplified procedures for obtaining permits for research and construction.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Economy noted that obtaining the status of a project of mutual interest is of paramount importance: approved PMI projects will receive active legal, financial, and administrative support from the EU.
The objective of the Black Sea submarine cable project is to create a digital and submarine high-voltage transmission line (TL) to connect the power grids of Georgia and Europe (starting with Romania and extending further).
The project involves the construction of a submarine cable approximately 1,155 km in length (1,115 km underwater and 40 km on land) with a capacity of 1,300 megawatts.
“The implementation of this project will contribute to strengthening the energy security of Europe and the South Caucasus region, fostering the development of the renewable energy sector, and increasing transit capabilities between these regions,” the Ministry of Economy stated.
A technical and economic feasibility study has already confirmed that the project is both technically and economically viable.
At this stage, preparatory work is underway to procure services for the Black Sea seabed survey.
“The Black Sea submarine cable project has been included in the Ten-Year Network Development Plan (TYNDP) of the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E) for 2026–2036,” the report says.
Information regarding the granting of PMI status has been published in the Official Journal of the European Union.
