22nd Meeting of the EUSAIR Thematic Steering Group on Energy

On 27 November 2025, the 22nd meeting of the Thematic Steering Group (TSG2) on Energy, was held in Trieste at the Premises of the Presidency of the Autonomous Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia.

The meeting was organized under the coordination of the Pillar Coordinators from Italy, Serbia, and North Macedonia, with the support of the EUSAIR Facility Point (PP6) – Autonomous Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia.

Within the framework of implementing the new EUSAIR Action Plan, TSG2 members discussed the progress of ongoing activities and operational priorities for the coming months. Key topics addressed during the meeting included:

• Updating the Energy Master Plan, a strategic document aimed at guiding the macro-region towards decarbonization and energy integration goals by 2050;
• Preparing two Issue Papers focused respectively on “Hydrogen Production and Deployment Road-Map for the Western Balkans Region” and “Artificial Intelligence Prospects and Use in the Energy Systems of the Adriatic and Ionian Region”
• Strengthening coordination between EU and non-EU countries, with particular attention to the contribution of the Western Balkans in enhancing infrastructure and interconnections.

The coordinators also highlighted the importance of better involvement of younger generations in macro-regional decision-making processes. In this context, a proposal for an intergenerational pact within EUSAIR was recalled, aimed at integrating youth perspectives into energy policies and promoting active participation of young energy experts.

During the meeting, proposals for events and initiatives currently being planned within the 2026 Work Programme of the Energy Pillar were presented, including:

• A session dedicated to energy at the 11th EUSAIR Annual Forum (May 2026, North Macedonia);
• An event on developments in Artificial Intelligence and its applications to energy systems (Slovenia, Summer 2026);
• An event focused on hydrogen production and dissemination in the Western Balkans (Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, Autumn 2026);
• A working meeting on the renewable energy roadmap for the Adriatic-Ionian Region (Croatia, Autumn 2026).

The discussions confirmed the central role of macro-regional cooperation in addressing common challenges related to the energy transition, supply security, and the development of resilient and innovative energy systems.

The next TSG2 Energy meeting will take place in Skopje in Spring 2026, in coordination with activities planned under the EUSAIR Presidency of North Macedonia.