The 23rd meeting of the Thematic Steering Group (TSG2) on Energy took place online on 20 April 2026, via the EUSAIR Stakeholder Platform. The meeting was coordinated by the Pillar Coordinators from Italy and North Macedonia and gathered Standing Members from nine EUSAIR participating countries, representatives of the European Commission (DG REGIO), the IPA ADRION Managing Authority, and the Lead Partners of the EUSAIR Governance Support Projects.
Within the framework of the implementation of the revised EUSAIR Action Plan, the meeting addressed a range of strategic topics related to energy security, decarbonisation and macro-regional cooperation, against a backdrop of ongoing geopolitical instability and volatile energy markets. DG REGIO underlined the urgency of strong EU-level coordination to reduce energy demand, stabilise markets, reinforce energy grids and ensure security of supply, while accelerating the green transition. The IPA ADRION Managing Authority provided an update on programme activities supporting EUSAIR energy priorities, including upcoming capitalisation initiatives and early reflections on the 2028–2034 programming period.
Progress was reported on the updating of the EUSAIR Master Plan on Energy, which analyses the current state and long-term evolution of energy systems across the Adriatic–Ionian Region, developing realistic transition scenarios up to 2050. The discussion highlighted key challenges related to energy security, continued dependence on fossil fuels, and the need to balance decarbonisation objectives with system resilience and affordability. Standing Members will provide comments on the revised sections by the end of July, with a consolidated draft to be presented at the next autumn meeting.
Further strategic inputs were provided through the Rapid Assessment of Renewable Energy Potential in the Adriatic–Ionian Region, offering an overview of renewable energy capacities, deployment barriers and opportunities for cross-border cooperation.
The meeting also included an update on EUSAIR’s contribution to the EU Enlargement process, with activities aimed at supporting candidate countries in aligning with the EU energy acquis.
Updates were provided on the preparation of two upcoming Issue Papers on Energy, focusing respectively on artificial intelligence in energy systems and on hydrogen development in the Western Balkans.
Special attention was given to youth involvement, with the participation of the EUSAIR Youth Council representative for Pillar 2 Energy and the discussion of a proposal for an Intergenerational Pact for a Sustainable and Cohesive Energy Future, to be further developed through written procedure.
Finally, the Coordinators presented a draft proposal for the Energy Session of the 11th EUSAIR Annual Forum (Skopje, North Macedonia, 18–20 May 2026), focused on “Energy Security through the Adriatic and Ionian Region to Confront Emerging Threats and Risks”, which received the endorsement of Standing Members.
The next meeting of the EUSAIR TSG2 on Energy is expected to take place in Belgrade in autumn 2026, in hybrid format, under the EUSAIR Italian Presidency.
