Eastern EU Energy Transition Shifted to Crisis Management Amidst Russian Invasion
The energy systems in Eastern EU countries have transformed from gradual green transitions to crisis management due to geopolitical tensions from Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Nine countries—Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Finland, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia—entered the crisis with varying energy mixes and preparedness levels.
The interruption of Russian supplies in 2022 led to a patchwork of national strategies rather than a unified regional approach. Finland and Latvia exemplified alignment between climate goals and long-term planning, while Lithuania rapidly shifted from gas to renewables.
Czech Republic and Slovakia focused on nuclear energy for industrial stability. Poland and Bulgaria prioritized supply security but faced structural limitations. The crisis highlighted the importance of energy resilience, leading to diverse responses across the region, with nations now addressing energy security, high prices, and infrastructure protection collaboratively despite political fragmentation.
