"The recent blackout in Spain, Portugal, and France exposed the persistent vulnerabilities of the EU’s energy systems. It also underscored a critical reality: local governments and their residents bear the brunt of national and cross-border crises. Local authorities, therefore, hold a shared responsibility to protect infrastructure, modernize energy networks, and support citizens, businesses, and vulnerable consumers. As such, they must be treated as equal partners alongside national and EU institutions in designing and implementing solutions." These were the key messages of Hanna Zdanowska (PL/EPP), Mayor of Łódź and Rapporteur for the European Committee of the Regions’ (CoR) opinion on the Action Plan for Affordable Energy – How to Secure Affordable, Stable and Clean Energy for All EU Cities and Regions.
Speaking during a stakeholder consultation at the CoR, Zdanowska stressed that the blackout was a wake-up call and a clear sign that Europe must rethink its priorities and tools to ensure both energy resilience and security. “This massive power outage illustrates the urgent need to rethink our priorities and tools,” Zdanowska said. “We must focus not only on delivering clean and affordable energy but also on ensuring its stable and uninterrupted supply. Energy—including electrification—is the key to addressing a broad range of challenges facing the EU: security, resilience, competitiveness, and climate change.”
She identified several critical obstacles hampering the energy transition and energy affordability. These include insufficient funding, the slow and complex permitting of new investments (especially renewables), the decarbonisation of heating systems, heavy dependence on imported technologies, high energy prices, energy poverty, and the lack of a skilled workforce. “Our task is to tackle these challenges effectively using municipal resources but also with adequate national and EU support,” she explained. “Unfortunately, most European municipalities, residents, and businesses cannot carry out the energy transition on their own, especially under the current legal frameworks. It requires huge investments that don’t pay off quickly and often lead to increased debt.”
In proposing solutions, Zdanowska pointed to best practices from Germany, where debt rules were relaxed to allow local investment in energy infrastructure. She argued that similar measures are urgently needed across the EU. She also turned to the post-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), insisting that it must provide substantial funding for the broad energy transition and enhanced energy security—especially at the local level.
The rapporteur recalled the European Commission’s estimate that €2.5 trillion could be saved in energy bills by 2040 if the Affordable Energy Action Plan is implemented. These savings could be achieved through investments in thermal renovation, energy efficiency, renewables, and storage—investments that deliver tangible benefits such as lower heating and electricity bills, better thermal comfort, local job creation, and stronger economies.
Zdanowska also emphasized the need to fast-track the deployment of clean technologies and infrastructure. “The EU must accelerate the rollout of clean technologies and energy efficiency measures to avoid future fossil fuel-induced crises,” she said. Welcoming the Commission’s proposals to simplify financing for cross-border interconnections, transmission systems, and EV charging infrastructure, she highlighted specific technologies that should be prioritized: alternative fuel vehicles, heat pumps, geothermal and biomethane energy, demand response systems, storage, and well-developed transmission networks. These, she explained, are essential in shielding households and industries from future shocks and price spikes.
Above all, Zdanowska stressed the vital role of local governments in achieving the EU’s energy goals. “I believe that this opinion will be a first step in that direction. I would like us together to present the European Commission with a compendium of needs, proposals, and demands aimed at accelerating the energy transition. The goal is to ensure affordable and stable supplies of clean energy for all EU regions and cities.” She concluded by reiterating the importance of stronger dialogue with citizens and greater engagement at the local level: “The EU has set ambitious climate and energy targets. These are important commitments, but to become reality, they require greater engagement at the local level and stronger dialogue with citizens. We must ensure that EU and national legal and financial frameworks give municipalities real influence in shaping Europe’s energy transition.”
Zdanowska was supported by Ryszard Pawlik, head of the Brussels office of the Polish Electricity Association and former advisor (2012–2024) to Jerzy Buzek, former President of the European Parliament, on the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy. This consultation provided valuable input for the rapporteur’s draft opinion and addressed the practical challenges in implementing the Affordable Energy Action Plan.
Next Steps:
- Adoption by the ENVE Commission: 2 October 2025
- Adoption by CoR Plenary: 10–11 December 2025