Energy

A sustainable energy sector is an essential dimension of EU plans to achieve climate neutrality by 2050, and the Union is determined to be a leader in the development of renewable technologies and capacities. Yet, in the past years, energy has been used as a geopolitical weapon and has gained centre stage in policy discussions, not anymore just about decarbonisation and sustainability, but also as a key element for the European strategic autonomy and security.

What is the EESC’s role in shaping the EU’s energy policy? 

• Addressing social impacts by bringing attention to the social issues linked to changes in the production and use of energy resources.
• Supporting a competitive and fair transition by enabling businesses to remain competitive seizing technological and economic opportunities of the low-carbon transition while highlighting concerns related to energy prices, market distortions and security of supply.
• Representing consumers’ interests by safeguarding access to affordable, reliable energy, with particular attention to vulnerable groups at risk of energy poverty, and by promoting their active participation in energy markets.
• Promoting participatory policymaking by ensuring that citizens are actively involved in the design of EU energy policy.

How does the Committee pursue these aims?

The EESC engages with EU energy policies through its opinions, events and recommendations.

• The EESC produces numerous opinions in response to Commission initiatives such as the European Grids Package and the opinion on the new Small Modular Reactors Strategy. Our Committee also collaborates with Council Presidencies through exploratory opinions linked to the semester priorities - examples are our opinion on Energy connectivity, electricity grids requested by the Cyprus presidency and our opinion on Cross-border energy infrastructure planningdeveloped in cooperation with the Belgian Energy Ministry.
• On its own initiative, the EESC can also draw up opinions on specific topics of interest to support creating political momentum and put civil society at the centre of the interinstitutional discussions. In 2026 the Committee is focusing on a Strategic Energy Storage for the EU and on Ensuring affordable and stable energy for the European energy-intensive industries.
• The EESC promotes an active dialogue involving experts, stakeholders and policy-makers from across Europe. Through a range of initiatives, including timely debates on key issues for the energy sector such as the Clean Energy Investment Strategy, the ETS revision and the Electrification Action Plan, the EESC strengthens the link between civil society and regulators. Our members also participate actively and regularly in external events, such as the annual Sustainable Energy Week, European Nuclear Energy Forum and the Citizens' Energy Forum.
• The TEN Section also highly values the expertise of youth organisations in the energy sector, involving their representatives in the opinion drafting process through the EU Youth Test.  Furthermore, through the Enlargement Candidate Members' Initiative, representatives of civil society from EU candidate countries are actively involved in the Committee’s advisory work. With this project, the EESC aims to strengthen ties and support their gradual integration into the EU's energy system and decision-making process.