As the European Union moves to phase out imports of Russian fossil fuels and revises its energy security framework, the question is no longer whether Europe should pursue energy independence, but how it can be achieved durably and credibly. This question was at the heart of the event held on 27 January 2026 at the European Parliament Info Hub. Hosted by MEP Davor Ivo Stier and organised by FEDARENE, the occasion marked the launch of the book European Energy Independence through Investing in Renewables: Empowering Freedom, and was followed by a high-level policy discussion on what many speakers described as Europe’s “energy independence moment”.
The discussions converged on a clear message: lasting energy independence cannot be delivered by switching suppliers alone. It must be built from within, through decentralised renewable energy, empowered regions and cities, and trusted local institutions capable of turning European objectives into concrete projects on the ground.
“Europe’s energy independence will not be secured by strategy alone, but through delivery on the ground. Local and regional Energy Agencies are essential in translating the Union’s objectives of sovereignty and security into concrete, decentralised action.”
— Filip Dumitriu, Director of FEDARENE
Energy independence as a geopolitical imperative
In his opening remarks, MEP Davor Ivo Stier framed energy independence as the backbone of the EU’s geopolitical sovereignty. Energy dependencies, he underlined, will be weaponised, as Europe has witnessed since the Russian aggression against Ukraine. Replacing one external dependency with another would therefore constitute a strategic error at a time when Europe has the capacity to build strength from within.
Investing in renewable energy is, in this sense, an act of strategic self-determination. By relying on resources that are domestic, diversified and widely distributed, Europe reduces its exposure to geopolitical pressure while strengthening its internal cohesion. Geothermal energy, hydropower, wind and solar were repeatedly highlighted as offering not only climate benefits, but also a structural reduction in import needs.
This strategic perspective was echoed throughout the debate. Energy independence was described as inseparable from Europe’s broader geopolitical standing, economic resilience and democratic stability.
From market assumptions to local delivery
Presenting the book, Julije Domac, President of FEDARENE and CEO of the North-Croatia Regional Energy Agency (REGEA), recalled how Europe long assumed that market integration and interdependence would automatically deliver stability. The war in Ukraine, he argued, exposed the fragility of this belief.
The book was written in what he described as a moment of clarity and it is intended as a practical guide for action, grounded in the experience of those delivering the energy transition every day. At REGEA alone, more than fifty professionals work directly with municipalities, regions and citizens to renovate buildings, deploy renewables and reshape local energy systems.
Energy sovereignty, he stressed, is not achieved by changing the origin of fossil fuels. It is achieved through renovated buildings, solar panels on public rooftops, local heating networks and integrated planning at territorial level. In this sense, the European Green Deal must be understood as a European Freedom Deal: freedom from imported fossil fuels, from price volatility, and from political blackmail.
Decentralisation as a security asset
Decentralised renewable energy emerged as a cornerstone of energy security. Monika Zsigri, Head of Unit for Energy Security and Safety at DG ENER, emphasised that decentralised renewables, small-scale storage, and local energy units increase system resilience, allowing Europe to integrate more renewables and better manage risks from climate change or external threats.
Heating and cooling, in particular, are inherently local. Geothermal energy, heat pumps and district heating networks depend on local conditions, local acceptance and local expertise. Designing energy security and “resilience by design” therefore highlights the importance of empowering municipalities and regions in the energy transition.
EU industrial competitiveness and clean tech
Thomas Pellerin Carlin, MEP and shadow rapporteur on the phasing out of Russian gas imports, addressed the role of industrial competitiveness in achieving energy independence. He warned that Europe risks falling behind in electrification and clean technologies, underscoring the need for predictable public support, regulatory stability, and a clear long-term plan to attract investment in renewables, storage, and local heating and cooling systems.
“The only way is to generate energy in Europe; it cannot be oil and gas because of our geology – and we cannot argue with geology.”
— Thomas Pellerin Carlin, MEP
Domac added that EU-level policy must support local renewable projects and energy communities, including fast-track permitting, stable grid access, and ownership models that build trust. Both speakers underlined that decentralised energy, when backed by coherent policy, is not a niche approach but a strategic asset.
Energy agencies as facilitators of the bottom-up transition
Across the debate, regional and local Energy Agencies emerged as key enablers of this bottom-up approach. With more than 300 agencies operating across Europe, many with decades of experience, they act as independent facilitators between European policies, public authorities, citizens and market actors.
Energy agencies translate European frameworks into implementable projects, support permitting and planning, build trust with local communities and ensure that decentralised solutions are deployed at scale.
“Energy transition fails without trust, and trust is built locally.”
— Julije Domac, President of FEDARENE
Several speakers called for energy agencies to be more formally recognised as system actors within European energy governance. Their integration into energy planning, grid development, renovation strategies and flexibility markets would significantly accelerate delivery, while strengthening public acceptance and social ownership.
Filip Dumitriu, Director of FEDARENE and moderator of the discussion, concluded that the way forward for energy independence must rely on empowered local and regional actors. He emphasised that decentralised renewable projects, tailored to local contexts, are central to Europe’s capacity to generate its own energy and reduce exposure to external shocks.
Energy independence in 2026: freedom, resilience, and responsibility
In the closing remarks, Martin Hojsík, Vice-President of the European Parliament, highlighted the multiple benefits of a strong local approach, including lower energy costs for citizens and farmers and new jobs arising from the energy transition.
“Energy transition is about our own freedom.”
— Martin Hojsík, Vice-President of the European Parliament
In the final reflections, energy independence was defined as strategic autonomy. For Monika Zsigri, energy independence means “strategic autonomy to ensure we have the energy we need without the risk of it being weaponised and at a competitive price.” Julije Domac summarised it simply: “Independence means freedom.” Thomas Pellerin Carlin called for prioritising European freedom and industrial sovereignty, ensuring clean energy production is supported predictably.
Across the debate, a clear picture emerged: Europe’s energy independence will not be determined solely in Brussels. It will be built, project by project, in cities and regions, through the daily work of local authorities and energy agencies. Empowering these actors is not a secondary consideration; it is the foundation for a secure, resilient, and genuinely independent European energy system.
The article was prepared and drafted by Diana Bosfy.
