Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) is facing a pivotal moment in its energy trajectory, according to a new report from the Clean Air Task Force (CATF). Russia’s war in Ukraine has exposed the region’s heavy reliance on Russian fossil fuels as a profound geopolitical vulnerability. In response, EU member states are accelerating efforts to diversify energy supplies, modernize outdated infrastructure, and align their strategies with Europe’s long-term climate and security goals.
As Russian gas fades from the picture, new dependencies are emerging. China’s dominance over critical raw materials and clean-tech manufacturing threatens to replace one form of reliance with another. At the same time, policy frictions between Brussels and Washington are adding complexity to the region’s clean energy transition. CEE countries are now balancing urgent affordability concerns with the strategic imperative of energy autonomy. EU enlargement adds another layer of challenge and opportunity. As Ukraine, Moldova, and the Western Balkans move toward deeper integration, they bring with them energy systems still rooted in fossil fuels. Coordinated cross-border planning and investment could transform enlargement into a catalyst for modernization.
The report calls for bold action. Key recommendations include diversifying energy sources with nuclear, geothermal, and carbon-capture solutions; strengthening regional cooperation through integrated grids and shared planning; and localizing clean-tech production to reduce reliance on external suppliers. Crucially, CATF urges policymakers to frame the clean energy transition not just as a climate necessity, but as a path to sovereignty, economic resilience, and long-term affordability. With geopolitical tensions rising, the region’s energy choices today will shape Europe’s stability and security for decades to come.