Energy production must be more inclusive and affordable, in both urban and rural areas

No 22/2025 11 June 2025 Energy production must be more inclusive and affordable, in both urban and rural areas The conference on energy affordability held by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) and the European Commission stressed the need for the active participation of as much of the population as possible. Households, vulnerable citizens and SMEs, including those in rural areas, must become the primary players in the energy transition. The EU must be able to produce energy in a more inclusive and affordable way, and European people must be able to play an active role, including in rural areas. These are the main highlights of the conference on Delivering affordable energy in Europe, jointly hosted by the EESC’s Section for Transport, Energy, Infrastructure and the Information Society (TEN) and the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Energy (DG ENER) in Brussels on 11 June 2025. The event emphasised that the European Union can achieve affordable energy by focusing on three aspects: consumer engagement, protection for vulnerable people and sustainable investment. More specifically, it underlined the importance of: • developing innovative solutions aimed at promoting an active role for all consumers, referring specifically to the game-changing role of energy communities; this kind of engagement has untapped potential which is essential for achieving a faster and more effective green transition; • protecting vulnerable consumers and...