The green hydrogen corridor linking Barcelona and Marseille, known as BarMar, forms part of a broader plan to connect the Iberian Peninsula with France. On the list of 166 strategic projects, this effort is highlighted as a key step for shaping Europe’s future energy landscape. The European Commission confirmed the inclusion of these cross-border initiatives, stating that they will support the EU’s ambitious energy and climate objectives.
Selected projects will benefit from streamlined regulatory and permitting processes, quicker environmental assessments, and access to financial backing from the Connecting Europe Fund. The official listing is expected to accelerate project delivery. If realized, it could help double the capacity of the EU electricity grid by 2030 and advance the share of energy from renewable sources toward the target of 42.5 percent.
Among the 166 projects deemed of common interest, more than half—85 in total—focus on power, offshore infrastructure, and smart grid developments. Twelve entries pertain to storage, five concern smart grid upgrades, and twelve relate to maritime infrastructure. Most of these initiatives are projected to become operational between 2027 and 2030.
Hydrogen and electrolyzers
For the first time, hydrogen and electrolyzer projects—including BarMar, with 65 related initiatives—appear on the list, as reported by Brussels. The inclusion is described as a significant step toward integrating the energy system and decarbonizing European industry. The package also contains 14 additional CO2 transport and storage projects aligned with goals for developing a carbon capture and storage market. The blueprint also features a dozen cross-border electricity connections involving the United Kingdom, the Western Balkans, and North African partners.
Beyond BarMar, the compilation highlights other Spanish initiatives, such as the submarine cable planned to traverse the Bay of Biscay and link Gatika with the French town of Cubnezais, along with the Spain–Portugal electrical connection and interconnections between Navarra and the French Landes. Between Aragon and Marsillon in France, several pumped-energy storage facilities are planned, accompanied by electrolyzer facilities in Tarragona, Bilbao, Cartagena, and Asturias.
New energy map
European Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson presented the new list to the European Parliament for review, with the Parliament and the Council set to examine it in the coming session. The two co-legislators have a two-month window to approve or reject the list in its entirety, with the possibility of extending the period by up to two months; however, amendments to the list are not permitted. This marking represents the sixth set of projects adopted by the EU.
Commissioner Simson described the list as mapping the future energy terrain of Europe. She underscored a shift away from financing fossil-fuel infrastructure, noting that the era of such support is ending. The emphasis, she argued, is on a more flexible, decentralized, and digitalized system where consumers can also act as producers, and where the majority of energy originates from renewable sources. This stance aligns with a broader goal of strengthening cross-border energy cooperation and accelerating the adoption of cleaner technologies across the bloc.
Taken together, the BarMar corridor and related projects are framed as a cornerstone of this strategy. They aim to enhance regional energy security, lower emissions, and support the economic integration of southern and western Europe. Stakeholders in the involved member states expect not only environmental benefits but also increased energy resilience, job creation in construction and operation, and the acceleration of technological adoption in hydrogen, storage, and grid modernization.
Analysts note that the success of these initiatives will depend on coherent implementation across national authorities, timely permitting, and sufficient funding. While the list signals strong political will, the practical execution will require careful coordination among regulators, grid operators, industry partners, and local communities. The coming months will reveal how quickly these cross-border efforts can move from planning to operation, and how effectively they can integrate with existing energy systems and market rules.
As Europe advances toward its climate and energy targets, the array of projects on this list serves as a tangible roadmap for a cleaner, more interconnected energy network. The BarMar corridor stands as a visible symbol of regional collaboration and a catalyst for broader reforms in energy planning, infrastructure financing, and market design across the European Union.