The EPP Group in the European Committee of the Regions reaffirmed that cohesion and resilience must go hand-in-hand to ensure Europe’s sustainable and secure energy provision. These were the main highlights from EPP-CoR members during a debate on cohesion and energy resilience held as part of the external Bureau meeting in Szczecin, Poland. The debate focused on how energy transition and cohesion policy must be interwoven to meet the needs of communities, strengthen the economy, and secure Europe’s long-term stability. EPP-CoR members stressed that local and regional authorities are not only implementers but must be co-creators of policy to ensure its effectiveness and legitimacy.
Tanya Hristova, Mayor of Gabrovo and 1st Vice-Chair of the SEDEC Commission, said that climate action, competitiveness, and energy independence are key pillars which need to be given due importance to ensure energy resilience. She called for better integration of cohesion policy and energy resilience: “Cohesion and energy resilience are two parts of one coin.”
She also called for modification of procurement procedures to enable small-scale innovative energy activities. Hristova emphasized that EU policies must empower local innovation, citing Gabrovo’s establishment of two energy communities using EU funds. These initiatives generate clean energy for social services, reduce bills for vulnerable citizens, and enhance local ownership. She urged that local and regional governments be recognised as co-designers, not just implementers, of policy. Hristova further praised the pivotal role of women in energy transformation, warning that energy challenges disproportionately affect women.
Thomas Schmidt, from the Free State of Saxony, underscored the importance of strategic autonomy: “It’s not only about producing energy but also where and how. We talk about wind, but we’re completely dependent on China for solar. That must change—we need to boost EU manufacturing.” He commended Hristova’s work, calling her examples “inspiring proof that change is possible.”
Olgierd Geblewicz, President of the West Pomerania Region and host of the meeting, addressed the issue of unfair competition and cybersecurity risks in the wind energy sector: “The ETS imposes costs on EU firms, while Chinese producers operate without limits. We need a strong carbon border adjustment mechanism and must address the cyber risks tied to Chinese tech in our windfarms.”
Sari Rautio, President of the EPP-CoR Group and Councillor of Hämeenlinna, emphasized that cohesion policy is essential to make the energy transition a reality. On the challenge of populism, she added: “We need better communication with citizens—to show that energy transition and job creation can go hand in hand.”
Ribau Esteves, Mayor of Aveiro, pointed out that even 40 years after joining the EU, Portugal and Spain still require major investments in energy infrastructure, highlighting a recent blackout in the region as a reminder of existing vulnerabilities.
Jimmy McClearn, Councillor, Galway County Council, drew attention to Ireland’s specific challenges: “Wind is not always reliable, and we face public opposition to solar farms taking up agricultural land.” He concluded by calling for a clearer business case for hydrogen as an alternative energy solution.
The meeting in Szczecin delivered a clear message: Europe’s cohesion policy must evolve to include energy resilience as a structural component. By aligning climate goals, regional competitiveness, and strategic independence, EPP-CoR members believe local and regional authorities can lead the way in building a more secure, innovative, and citizen-focused European Union.