Europe's energy transition is taking place in a context that has become markedly more complex and uncertain. Over the past years, the continent has faced a succession of shocks that have reshaped the environment in which energy policy and research operate: Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, the weaponisation of energy supply, growing hybrid and cyber threats, climate-related disruptions, renewed pressure on critical infrastructure and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East with its repercussions on global energy markets. 

At the same time, broader geopolitical and technological developments are reshaping the strategic landscape. Among the most visible manifestations of this shift are the accelerating race for leadership in artificial intelligence and the intensifying competition for clean energy technologies and industrial value chains, both of which are redefining the foundations of global competitiveness and technological leadership. 

Against this backdrop, the systemic nature of modern energy systems has become increasingly apparent. Their links with industrial activity, digital infrastructure, the supply of critical materials, public services and economic performance mean that disruptions rarely remain confined to the energy domain. Instead, they can generate cascading effects across the wider economy, with far-reaching implications for citizens, businesses and public authorities alike. 

Energy security can therefore no longer be understood solely as the ability to secure sufficient supply. Increasingly, it is becoming a broader question of resilience: the ability of energy systems to withstand, adapt to and recover from disruption while continuing to deliver the services on which societies and economies depend. The European policy landscape has evolved accordingly, with the Preparedness Union agenda and the broader debate on technological sovereignty as prominent examples. 

For EERA, these developments translate into a clear research priority.  

The clean energy transition remains a central pillar of Europe's response to many of the economic, climate and security challenges it faces today. Yet its success will depend not only on the pace of decarbonisation, but also on our ability to design, develop and operate energy systems capable of functioning under increasingly complex conditions while strengthening Europe's competitiveness. 

Responding to these developments requires scientific excellence across technologies, infrastructures, system integration, digitalisation, materials, supply chains, governance and social sciences. It also requires stronger cooperation across disciplines and research communities to better understand the opportunities, dependencies and vulnerabilities shaping Europe's energy landscape. This is precisely where EERA's strength lies: connecting leading research organisations across disciplines to generate the knowledge needed for both technological progress and evidence-based policymaking. 

Recognising these developments, EERA established in 2025 a Working Group on Resilience and Preparedness to examine their implications for the clean energy transition. Its work culminated in the publication of the position paper Resilience and Preparedness in Europe's Energy Transition: the role of low-carbon energy R&I, published in December 2025. 

The message that emerged was clear: as resilience and preparedness become increasingly important dimensions of Europe's energy transition, they must also become a structured and long-term research priority for the EERA community. The establishment of the new transversal Joint Programme on Energy Security and Resilience (tJP-ESR) is therefore the natural outcome of that reflection and demonstrates EERA's commitment to advancing the knowledge, cooperation and scientific excellence needed to address these emerging priorities. 

Following its recent approval by the Executive Committee and adoption by the General Assembly, the newly established tJP-ESR will provide a dedicated framework for coordinating research on energy security and resilience across the EERA community. Combining dedicated activities with transversal sub-programmes developed jointly with the relevant EERA Joint Programmes, it will foster a more integrated understanding of the opportunities, vulnerabilities and dependencies shaping Europe's future energy system, while strengthening foresight capabilities and supporting the identification of emerging research priorities. 

At a time when Europe is seeking to strengthen its competitiveness, accelerate decarbonisation and enhance its security, the establishment of the tJP-ESR reflects EERA's conviction that resilience must become an integral dimension of the clean energy transition. More fundamentally, it reflects how Europe must prepare for, and navigate, an increasingly complex and uncertain world. 

Europe's energy transition is taking place in a context that has become markedly more complex and uncertain. Over the past years, the continent has faced a succession of shocks that have reshaped the environment in which energy policy and research operate: Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, the weaponisation of energy supply, growing hybrid and cyber threats, climate-related disruptions, renewed pressure on critical infrastructure and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East with its repercussions on global energy markets. 

At the same time, broader geopolitical and technological developments are reshaping the strategic landscape. Among the most visible manifestations of this shift are the accelerating race for leadership in artificial intelligence and the intensifying competition for clean energy technologies and industrial value chains, both of which are redefining the foundations of global competitiveness and technological leadership. 

Against this backdrop, the systemic nature of modern energy systems has become increasingly apparent. Their links with industrial activity, digital infrastructure, the supply of critical materials, public services and economic performance mean that disruptions rarely remain confined to the energy domain. Instead, they can generate cascading effects across the wider economy, with far-reaching implications for citizens, businesses and public authorities alike. 

Energy security can therefore no longer be understood solely as the ability to secure sufficient supply. Increasingly, it is becoming a broader question of resilience: the ability of energy systems to withstand, adapt to and recover from disruption while continuing to deliver the services on which societies and economies depend. The European policy landscape has evolved accordingly, with the Preparedness Union agenda and the broader debate on technological sovereignty as prominent examples. 

For EERA, these developments translate into a clear research priority.  

The clean energy transition remains a central pillar of Europe's response to many of the economic, climate and security challenges it faces today. Yet its success will depend not only on the pace of decarbonisation, but also on our ability to design, develop and operate energy systems capable of functioning under increasingly complex conditions while strengthening Europe's competitiveness. 

Responding to these developments requires scientific excellence across technologies, infrastructures, system integration, digitalisation, materials, supply chains, governance and social sciences. It also requires stronger cooperation across disciplines and research communities to better understand the opportunities, dependencies and vulnerabilities shaping Europe's energy landscape. This is precisely where EERA's strength lies: connecting leading research organisations across disciplines to generate the knowledge needed for both technological progress and evidence-based policymaking. 

Recognising these developments, EERA established in 2025 a Working Group on Resilience and Preparedness to examine their implications for the clean energy transition. Its work culminated in the publication of the position paper Resilience and Preparedness in Europe's Energy Transition: the role of low-carbon energy R&I, published in December 2025. 

The message that emerged was clear: as resilience and preparedness become increasingly important dimensions of Europe's energy transition, they must also become a structured and long-term research priority for the EERA community. The establishment of the new transversal Joint Programme on Energy Security and Resilience (tJP-ESR) is therefore the natural outcome of that reflection and demonstrates EERA's commitment to advancing the knowledge, cooperation and scientific excellence needed to address these emerging priorities. 

Following its recent approval by the Executive Committee and adoption by the General Assembly, the newly established tJP-ESR will provide a dedicated framework for coordinating research on energy security and resilience across the EERA community. Combining dedicated activities with transversal sub-programmes developed jointly with the relevant EERA Joint Programmes, it will foster a more integrated understanding of the opportunities, vulnerabilities and dependencies shaping Europe's future energy system, while strengthening foresight capabilities and supporting the identification of emerging research priorities. 

At a time when Europe is seeking to strengthen its competitiveness, accelerate decarbonisation and enhance its security, the establishment of the tJP-ESR reflects EERA's conviction that resilience must become an integral dimension of the clean energy transition. More fundamentally, it reflects how Europe must prepare for, and navigate, an increasingly complex and uncertain world.