A lively and well-attended debate took place during the PES Group meeting focusing on one of the most pressing challenges for the European Union: how to ensure affordable, secure and sustainable energy for all while advancing the green transition.
The discussion featured Annalisa Corrado, Member of the European Parliament (S&D) and the ITRE and ENVI Committees, and Stefan Sipka, Head of the Sustainable Prosperity for Europe Programme at the European Policy Centre (EPC). Against the backdrop of ongoing geopolitical uncertainty, the exchange explored how Europe can strengthen its energy security while remaining firmly on track towards climate neutrality and delivering a just transition for citizens and regions.
Speakers underlined that energy security and affordability are inextricably linked with climate objectives, particularly in the current geopolitical context where resilience has become a central priority for the European Union. The discussion highlighted the urgency of reducing Europe’s dependence on imported fossil fuels through the accelerated deployment of renewable energy, reinforced electricity grids, and storage solutions.
A strong emphasis was placed on the key role of local and regional authorities in delivering the energy transition on the ground in a strong EU framework, ensuring its effectiveness, public acceptance and tangible benefits for citizens and businesses across Europe, including the fight against energy poverty. In this context, the Progressive local and regional leaders called for affordable energy, food sovereignty, a strong European Social Fund, social cohesion, and a fair green transition that leaves no one behind. The dynamic exchanges testified to the urgency of the topics discussed will contribute to the ongoing work of the PES Group, including the forthcoming ENVE opinion on the EU strategy on Small Modular Nuclear Reactors.