From 29 July to 1 August 2025, Brussels becomes the epicentre of a fundamental challenge: accelerating the energy transition in Europe. The Brussels 2025 European renewable energy summit promises to be a decisive moment in the construction of a sovereign, low-carbon and socially just Europe. Against a backdrop of energy crisis, climate war and geopolitical instability, this summit represents the leap forward that environmental movements and progressive trade unions have been waiting for.
Major announcements on the table
- A €67.4 billion European Green Competitiveness Fund(2028-2034) to finance renewable infrastructure and industrial decarbonisation.
- The creation of a European Decarbonisation Bank: a €100 billion lever to support research, innovation and SMEs in the sector.
- An increase in the budget for cross-border networks (x5), to ensure electricity interconnections between Member States, the key to energy resilience.
- The presentation of a new European climate timetable, aiming for -90% emissions by 2040, and carbon neutrality by 2050.
A battle over Power Purchase Agreements
One of the key issues at the summit was the reform of Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs). Down 26% in the first half of 2025, these contracts are essential to guarantee stable prices for industry and local authorities. Left-wing groups are calling for strong market regulation and a cap on private operator margins. The Left and the European Greens are calling for a return to public control of part of the electricity production capacity. “Energy is not a commodity like any other. The green transition cannot succeed without regulation and democratic control”, said Miguel Urban MEP from The Left.
Giving power back to local authorities
A new feature welcomed by local elected representatives is their active participation in the summit. Mayors, regional presidents and citizens’ associations will be debating theterritorial anchoring of renewable energies. The objective is clear: accessible, clean and local energy, far removed from the speculative model of the major operators.
A strategic summit for energy independence and climate justice
Behind the scenes at the summit, environmental NGOs and trade unions are insisting that the transition must be fair. This means :
- targeted investment in regions affected by the end of coal and fossil fuels;
- massive training for workers in the energy sector;
- a climate income for the most vulnerable, financed by a tax on the super-profits of energy multinationals.
