MED9 Summit To Focus On Streamlining Permitting For Cross-Border Energy And Offshore RES Projects

The Ministerial Summit on Energy, involving the nine Mediterranean countries of the European Union (MED9), is set to take place in Larnaca on September 23, 2024. The summit will focus on strengthening cooperation among member nations and establishing cohesive strategies on energy transition, energy security, and reducing electricity costs in the Mediterranean region.

The meeting will feature representatives from France, Greece, Italy, Spain, Croatia, Malta, Portugal, and Slovenia, along with officials from the European Commission and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).

The summit, which follows last year’s informal meeting in Malta, will tackle several key objectives. These include establishing a communication channel between MED9 countries and the European Commission, securing EU funds for electricity interconnections with third countries, launching a technical study to transform the Mediterranean into an energy hub, and creating an effective policy framework for cross-border energy projects.

The discussions will also address expediting licensing processes for renewable energy sources (RES) and the development of offshore RES technologies, such as wind turbines and floating photovoltaics. The summit aims to align with the EU’s climate goals, including the reduction of CO2 emissions and increased renewable energy adoption.