South East Europe Energy Transition Dialogue

Countries throughout Southeast Europe (SEE) have high shares of electricity generated by an aging fleet of coal-fired generators (lignite and hard coal). Decisions for modernizing or replacing a significant share of these capacities will be taken within the next decade. At the same time, the region has a vast potential for developing renewable energy as well as significant opportunities for enhancing energy efficiency. The political commitment of governments in SEE to implement the Paris Agreement on climate change, the EU’s push for an integrative, economy-wide approach to climate and energy policy making, and the close geographical and political ties between countries in SEE offer a unique opportunity to advance decarbonisation and energy transition in the region over the next decade.

Project conference in Vienna in November 2018, Photo: ©Agora Energiewende

The project established an SEE think tank network on decarbonization and strengthened its capacity. The development of science-based, cost-effective, and politically feasible solutions to power system transition contributed to maximizing opportunities for regional collaboration and support at the EU level. In addition, the project fostered collaboration among climate and energy policy stakeholders in SEE (government, industry, society, academia) in advancing Renewable Energy Sources (RES) when developing integrated national energy and climate. Ultimately, this brought the SEE experience to EU-discussions on the Clean Energy for All Europeans package and the Multiannual Financial Framework, including options to reduce RES financing costs.

• Technical contributions to NECP processes: Ten scientifically based studies on renewable energies, coal phase-out, and green investments were directly incorporated into the NECP processes in the four project countries. The analyses highlighted the economic and social opportunities offered by the expansion of renewable energies, thereby helping to accelerate political decisions on how to achieve the 2030 and 2050 climate targets in a cost-effective manner. 
• Successful advocacy: At 29 national and regional events, around 800 decision-makers in the project countries and at EU level were convinced that ambitious coal-to-clean energy strategies in Southeast Europe both open up economic opportunities and increase energy security.  
• Greater expertise and impact: The SEE Think Tank Network was strengthened by expanding its capacity for joint analysis of climate and energy planning and policy frameworks for investment in renewable energies. This increased the network's impact, enabled it to position itself as a trusted player in the energy transition, and put it in a better position to attract third-party funding and operate sustainably in the long term.