Conference | Sustainable Energy Security. Learning from the past, ready for the future

We are living in times of crisis where everything that once seemed certain is now being questioned.

The European Union’s energy supply is becoming an increasing challenge due to its dependency on external sources. At the same time, the climate crisis and geopolitical tensions are exerting significant pressure to take urgent action.

Therefore a new European sustainable energy security strategy is urgently needed. We propose to launch a political discussion that will pave the way for its development and adoption in the near future. 

The energy transition is directly linked to ensuring the energy security of the European Union. Strengthening the EU’s resilience and securing affordable energy supplies are structural challenges that must be addressed to achieve a stable and sustainable future. What is needed is a new strategy built on strong pillars based on multidimensionality and collectivity:

  • domestic renewable energy sources,
  • energy efficiency,
  • electrification,
  • increase import resilience,
  • infrastructure protection,
  • greater integration of member states
  • resilient supply chains.

This is what we aim to discuss during the conference, presenting the findings of the report prepared by Forum Energii in cooperation with Georg Zachmann and Ugne Keliauskaite from Bruegel and Szymon Kardaś from European Council on Foreign Relations. This will be followed by panel discussions with representatives from the European Commission, the European Parliament, the energy sector, and leading think tanks.

Forum Energii, together with the Permanent Representation of the Republic of Poland to the European Union, invites you to the conference ‘Sustainable Energy Security. Learning from the past, ready for the future’, which will take place on April 2, 2025, from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM at the Permanent Representation of Poland to the EU in Brussels (Av. de Cortenbergh 16, 1000 Brussels) and online.

The event is held under the auspices of the Polish Presidency of the Council of the EU and has received the honorary patronage of the Ministry of Climate and Environment. The event partners are Bruegel and the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR).

 

Agenda

12:00 – 13:30 Registration & Light lunch 

13:30 – 13:40 Welcoming remarks (10 min) 

  • Arkadiusz Pluciński, Deputy Permanent Representative to the EU, Poland
  • Joanna Pandera, President, Forum Energii, EUI STG

13:40 – 14:00 Opening remarks: The changing paradigm of energy security. How to ensure a secure future for the EU? (20 min) 

  • Ditte Juul Joergensen, Director-General, Directorate-General for Energy (ENER),  European Commission
  • Krzysztof Bolesta, Deputy Minister of Climate and Environment, Poland 

14:00 –14:15 Fireside chat: New approach – sustainable energy security. Report findings. (15 min)  

  • Georg Zachmann, Senior fellow, Bruegel
  • Szymon Kardaś, Senior Policy Fellow, ECFR 
  • Introduction & moderation: Maciej Jakubik, European Programme Coordinator, Forum Energii

14:15 – 15:15 Panel 1. The evolving energy security landscape (60 min) 

Major shifts demanding a sustainable energy security paradigm: the energy transition, geopolitical headwinds, and an energy crisis. Challenges include energy prices, import dependence, and the need for investments and electrification.

  • Grzegorz Onichimowski, CEO, Polskie Sieci Elektroenergetyczne
  • Frauke Thies, Executive Director, Agora Think Tanks
  • Ismini Kyriazopoulou, Head of Division, European Investment Bank
  • Jacques Warichet, Energy Analyst, Renewables Integration and Secure Electricity Unit, International Energy Agency
  • Moderation: Siobhan Hall, EU Energy & Climate Journalist, Montel

15:15 – 15:35 Coffee break 

15:35 – 16:35 Panel 2. Multiple dimensions require deeper collaboration. In search of the EU sustainable energy security strategy

The EU faces the dual challenge of ensuring energy security while accelerating its transition to sustainable energy. A modernised approach to energy security is urgently needed, which would translate into new EU energy security architecture.

  • Monika Zsigri, Head of Unit, Energy Security and Safety (Energy Platform Task Force, DG ENER, European Commission
  • Wojciech Wrochna, Deputy minister for energy infrastructure, Ministry of Industry, Poland 
  • Leonardo Meeus, Director, Florence School of Regulation 
  • Damian Cortinas, Chairman of the Board, ENTSO-e 
  • Christian Zinglersen, Director, EU Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators 
  • Moderation: Kate Abnett, European Climate and Energy Correspondent, Thomson Reuters 

16:35 – 16:45 Concluding remarks 

  • Joanna Pandera, President, Forum Energii, EUI STG

When: 2 April 2025, at 12:00

Where: Permanent Representation of the Republic of Poland to the EU in Brussels and online

Attachments:
Agenda
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