European Conference on City Energy
City leader or energy stakeholder? Get inspired to scale up the approach to the energy transition in your city.
On 18 March 2026, more than 100 leaders from European cities and governments, DSOs and other energy stakeholders came together at the European Conference on City Energy.
Together, they explored how cities across Europe are driving the energy transition forward. From innovative solutions to powerful collaborations, the discussions made one thing clear: the path to climate-neutral cities is built on shared ambition, bold action, and strong partnerships. The exchange of ideas and experiences showed just how much we can achieve when we work together.
Read the conclusions
Discover the conclusions of the conference and the lessons learnt during the COPPER Interreg North Sea Programme in the Action Toolkit for Local Governments.
Go to the toolkitSummary
The energy transition is accelerating rapidly, with an unprecedented amount of renewable energy being produced and high degrees of electrification happening across Europe. As a result of this massive system change, the grid is under pressure. Current pathways focus on costly grid reinforcements, which lead to higher energy bills and long waiting lines for grid connection and electrification initiatives. But there is an alternative. Cities have a unique opportunity to foster a strong local energy economy, which allows citizens and local businesses to reap the benefits of the local energy transition.
The energy transition is not a climate burden — it is one of Europe’s greatest social and economic opportunities. Renewable power is already cheaper and more competitive than fossil-based alternatives. The real question is: can we design it to work for citizens and SMEs?
With stable national frameworks, fair market rules, and smart deployment of new renewable technologies, Europe’s future energy system can be not only green, but affordable, socially equitable, and resilient. It can lower bills, strengthen local economies, and make our cities better places to live and work. Now we need the political courage to align regulation, finance, and grid reform so that clean energy becomes the default, accessible choice for every community in Europe.
The European Conference on City Energy focuses on empowering cities to lead the local energy transition. Today, we will discuss the current challenges cities face, the need for new governance models and policy frameworks. Together we will provide clear recommendations that allow the local energy transition to thrive, and to change narrative around energy into a strategic investment rather than a cost.
Hosted by the mayor of Ghent and Antwerp, the European Conference on City Energy is an opportunity to join peers from across Europe to explore emerging political topics and angles, and to discuss alternative viewpoints on energy at a city-level.
Programme
Speakers
Moderators
Presentations
Would you like to dive back into the sessions? All presentations are now available, so you can revisit the insights.
- Keynote: Where the energy transition becomes real
(Ruben Baetens, University of Leuven) - download - Showcase Varberg Energi (Henrik Näsström) - download
- Showcase We Drive Solar (Yves Van Sante) - download
- Showcase BRAVE (Frederik Loeckx, Flux50) - download
- Cities as actors for a grid-conscious energy transition
(Emile Clarisse, University of Ghent) - download - Setting the scene: the European perspective. We need to act now!
(Charles Esser, E.DSO) - download
