Forum Energii and the Permanent Representation of the Republic of Poland to the European Union are pleased to invite you to the hybrid conference “Sustainable Energy Security. Learning from the past, ready for the future”, which will take place on April 2, 2025, in Brussels. 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).During the conference, we will discuss:

· A need for a new approach to sustainable energy security strategy

We are living in times of crisis when everything that once seemed certain is now being questioned. Security of the European Union’s energy supply is becoming increasingly challenging due to its dependence 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 the launch of a political discussion that will pave the way for the development and adoption of such a strategy in the near future.

The energy transition is directly linked to the need to ensure 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 urgently is a new strategy built on strong pillars of multidimensionality and collectivity:

· zero- and low-emission sources, flexibility, and grids,

· electrification and energy efficiency,

· better integration and coordination within the EU,

· solidarity and resilience as core principles,

· diversification of supply of fuels, minerals, and technologies,

· protection of energy infrastructure and cybersecurity.

These are the issues we will discuss during the conference, along with a presentation of the findings of a report prepared by Forum Energii, in cooperation with Georg Zachmann and Ugne Keliauskaite from Bruegel, and Szymon Kardaś from the 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.

· The evolution of the energy security concept taking into account technological progress and geopolitical developments

· What conclusions can be drawn from the energy crisis and Russian aggression on Ukraine on energy security?

· How to merge energy security with climate and affordability constraints?

· What will be the role of critical raw materials and new technologies in ensuring energy security?

· A need for infrastructure protection in light of recent incidents in the Baltic Sea.

AGENDA

Permanent Representation of the Republic of Poland to the EU,
Av. de Cortenbergh 16, 1000 Brussels

2 April 2025 (Wednesday), 12:00 - 17:00

The conference will be held in English

12:00 – 13:30 Registration and 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)

· Krzysztof Bolesta, Deputy Minister of Climate and Environment, Poland

· Ditte Juul Joergensen, Director-General, Directorate-General for Energy (ENER), European Commission

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 and moderator: 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.

· Representative of the International Energy Agency

· Grzegorz Onichimowski, President of the Board, Polskie Sieci Elektroenergetyczne S.A.

· Frauke Thies, Executive Director, Agora Think Tanks

· Thomas Östros, Vice President, European Investment Bank

· Moderator: Siobhan Hall, EU Energy and 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.

· Mónika 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 Meuss, 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

Sustainable energy security