From threat to opportunity: redefining energy security in Central and Eastern Europe

The document outlines a new energy security framework for Central and Eastern Europe, emphasizing the transition from fossil fuel imports to clean energy to mitigate geopolitical risks. It calls for the elimination of fossil fuel subsidies, the creation of a grid security framework to counter hybrid warfare, and the expansion of the EU single energy market through harmonized permitting and increased interconnector investment. Additionally, it advocates for an incentive-based investment approach similar to the US Inflation Reduction Act to maintain European competitiveness and prevent reliance on non-EU financing.

• Fossil fuel imports continue to pose a threat to energy security, as diversification to other suppliers is limited by price volatility and the fact that long-term contracts no longer guarantee deliveries. The document suggests that clean firm power and electrification can stabilize prices and reduce vulnerabilities, but notes that decarbonization is hindered by fossil fuel subsidies, such as Feed-in Tariffs for gas Combined Heat and Power systems in Slovakia.
• The energy and digital transitions have introduced new security risks, including cybersecurity threats, hybrid warfare, and critical raw material supply chain challenges. To address these, the document proposes a grid security framework for hardware and software solutions and notes that the EU's Circular Economy Act aims to increase the share of recycled raw materials from 12% in 2023 to 24% by 2030.
• European energy security depends on the integrity of the EU single energy market and increased investment in interconnectors. Examples of successful resilience include the Romania-Moldova power connection and the Synchronization of Baltic States with the EU electricity system. The document argues for standardized designs for first-of-kind projects like small modular reactors (SMRs) and harmonized permitting processes across Member States.
• The EU's current restrictive regulatory approach, including the EU Taxonomy, may hinder innovation and push utilities in Central and Eastern Europe to seek non-EU financing from sources like China. The document recommends an incentive-based approach similar to the US Inflation Reduction Act to support 'made in EU' products and suggests the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development pilot offshore wind frameworks in Croatia, Romania, and the Western Balkans.

APA

Czyżak, D. P., & Lagurashvili, T. (2025). From threat to opportunity: redefining energy security in Central and Eastern Europe. Ember. https://ember-energy.org/app/uploads/2025/06/Ember-Policy-Paper-Globsec-Reflections.pdf

Chicago

Czyżak, Dr Paweł, and Tamara Lagurashvili. From threat to opportunity: redefining energy security in Central and Eastern Europe. Ember, 2025. https://ember-energy.org/app/uploads/2025/06/Ember-Policy-Paper-Globsec-Reflections.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Czyżak |first1=Dr Paweł |last2=Lagurashvili |first2=Tamara |title=From threat to opportunity: redefining energy security in Central and Eastern Europe |publisher=Ember |date=19 June 2025 |url=https://ember-energy.org/app/uploads/2025/06/Ember-Policy-Paper-Globsec-Reflections.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{czyak2025from, author = {Czyżak, Dr Paweł and Lagurashvili, Tamara}, title = {{From threat to opportunity: redefining energy security in Central and Eastern Europe}}, institution = {Ember}, year = {2025}, month = jun, url = {https://ember-energy.org/app/uploads/2025/06/Ember-Policy-Paper-Globsec-Reflections.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }