Estimated time of reading: ~ 4 minutes 

In the last 20 years, the energy landscape in Europe has undergone a significant evolution, and this also applies to the Central and Eastern European region, where many of the actual EU members formally entered the Union in 2004. During these two decades, the energy sector witnessed a general shift from dependence on traditional fossil fuels towards a more diversified and, in some cases, greener energy mix, due to economic, environmental, and geopolitical reasons.  Looking at the key trends that have shaped this evolution, we have to remember that in the pre-2004 era, Central and Eastern European countries (Czech Republic, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Hungary) relied heavily on domestic coal and imported natural gas, especially from Russia. This huge dependence left them vulnerable to price fluctuations and political pressures from Moscow. At the same time, EU membership brought with it stricter environmental regulations and the need for a more proactive stance on energy security. These aspects contributed to a broad boost in investments in renewable energy sources like wind and solar, as well as energy efficiency measures. Looking at the whole Central and Eastern European region, one of the most notable trends has been the rise of renewable energy. Countries like Lithuania and Estonia have witnessed a significant increase in wind power generation, while Poland has made strides in solar energy and started exporting its own manufacts to other European countries. Such diversification has helped reduce reliance on fossil fuels and generally improve energy security in the area. Moreover, Lithuania began ambitious projects to reduce dependence on Russian gas by investing in liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals, with Klaipeda being one of the first in the region in 2014, followed a few months later by the Świnoujście one in Poland. The government in Warsaw also focused on Polish domestic resources like shale gas reserves , which offered the potential to lessen reliance on imports.

There have also been challenges to this transition, first of all the use of nuclear power, a significant source of energy in the region during the Communist era. Nuclear infrastructure is the subject of public debate due to safety concerns, with many citizens now opposing the development of new reactors. We also have to consider how the intermittent nature of renewables necessitates grid modernization and energy storage solutions, which have high costs and require a long process for their implementation. Modernising ageing infrastructure is another complex task and it requires significant investments that can be obtained with the national Recovery and Resilience Plans (PNRR).

In addition, generally speaking, balancing the need for energy security with ambitious climate goals can be a complex task, and at the same time, public acceptance of certain renewable projects, like large-scale wind farms, can be an obstacle. However, all these challenges also present opportunities. Investments in renewable energy can create new jobs and stimulate economic growth in the green sector. 

Looking ahead, Central and Eastern European countries must definitely navigate a complex energy landscape. The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has clearly highlighted the vulnerability of relying on a single supplier for natural gas for many European countries, and this underscores the need for continued investment in renewables and energy efficiency all over the continent, but more than ever for countries closer to Russia. Additionally, regional cooperation on energy infrastructure and market integration will be crucial for a secure and sustainable energy future in the whole European Union.

Written by: Francesco Marino