Permanent Group on Energy

The Permanent Group on Energy is aimed to link the EESC's agenda on energy issues to the broader context of the EU energy discourse and to advocate for a strong role for civil society, to ensure a successful energy transition.

Public participation in policy making and implementation increases ownership, improves the process and helps meet the EU's energy policy objectives. To promote such a dialogue, the members of the Permanent Group organise hearings and conferences and participate actively in events from outside organisations.

The Permanent Group's 2024 priorities include finalizing the evaluation of the long-negotiated electricity market reform, followed by a thorough analysis of the impacts of withdrawing subsidies introduced during peak electricity and gas prices. The Group also aims to stay abreast of progress in the nuclear energy field, with particular emphasis on the launch of the European Industrial Alliance on Small Modular Reactors. Finally, concentrating on sustainability, the Group will analyse the issue of the reshoring of the photovoltaic cells production with its economic, environmental and strategic consequences; and consider the viability of carbon capture technologies as a widespread solution to reduce CO₂ emissions.