To consolidate its position in the global renewable energy market, the European Union faces the challenge of competing with players such as China. According to Spyridon Pantelis, Project Manager at the European Energy Research Alliance (EERA), the key lies in focusing on strategic technologies, reinforcing investment in key technologies and research, and developing targeted industrial policies.

“The EU must concentrate on selected technologies where it has the potential to achieve global leadership. This means identifying critical value chains and key technologies and focusing resources in these areas,” explains Pantelis in dialogue with Strategic Energy Europe.

“We cannot aim to compete in all sectors, but rather concentrate resources in those areas where Europe has a real advantage,” he emphasizes.

Currently, competition with other countries represents a structural challenge for the EU. “China has gained a competitive advantage thanks to long-term strategic planning, strong investments in R&D, and a robust industrial base,” says the EERA representative.

The cost gap in manufacturing capacities, high labor and energy costs, limited access to cheap raw materials, and a fragmented internal market remain significant obstacles for Europe.

To counteract this disparity, the EU needs a rebalancing of public R&D funding across the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) scale. “It is essential that we support both emerging and mature technologies, ensuring that they can develop and be commercialised within the European market,” the specialist points out.

Centers of Excellence: the European model to drive innovation

One of the strategic pillars proposed by EERA to strengthen the EU’s position in renewable energies is the creation of “European Technology Valleys,” innovation ecosystems that facilitate connections between research, industry, governments, and social actors.

“These centers would support the entire innovation cycle, from research to commercialization and scaling, ensuring that it does not remain in laboratories but reaches the market with viable commercial applications,” says Pantelis. The connection between academia and industry is fundamental to achieving this objective.

Furthermore, EERA highlights the need to address the issue of the “valley of death” in financing technological startups. “Europe must establish early-stage investment mechanisms that allow innovative companies to scale quickly without relying exclusively on private financing,” warns the expert.

Risk mitigation strategies: diversification and international cooperation

In sectors where the EU cannot directly compete with China, EERA suggests implementing risk mitigation strategies.

One of the main recommendations is supplier diversification. “Europe must reduce its dependence on a single market, ensuring access to raw materials and critical components for the renewable industry,” he states. Likewise, strengthening purchasing power through collaborative procurement within the EU would enable more effective negotiation in acquiring essential equipment and materials.

Pantelis also highlights the importance of establishing strategic interdependencies with key partners. “We need to develop cooperation agreements that ensure a stable supply of inputs for the renewable industry without compromising Europe’s autonomy in its energy transition,” he asserts.

Other strategies proposed by EERA include fostering public-private partnerships (PPPs) to share risks and leverage public financing, investing in education and training programs to ensure a skilled workforce, and developing a research infrastructure network to provide cutting-edge resources for R&D in areas such as artificial intelligence and data-intensive technologies.

In political and regulatory terms, they emphasize that policies and regulations must support the implementation of renewable energy technologies, including measures to improve energy efficiency, promote renewable energy adoption, and protect against market volatility.

Additionally, administrative processes must be streamlined, and bidding procedures simplified to enhance the participation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in R&D projects.

How do the Clean Industrial Deal and the Competitiveness Compass impact?

The EU has launched initiatives such as the Clean Industrial Deal and the Competitiveness Compass, instruments designed to align investments with industrial competitiveness goals and create a cohesive policy framework.

In this context, Pantelis points out: “By prioritizing strategic investments, policy reforms, and international cooperation, they aim to align economic growth with environmental objectives. Key measures include regulatory simplifications, financial support for clean technologies, and streamlining permits for infrastructure projects.”

These instruments emphasize research, with a target of 3% of GDP for R&D investment, reinforcing the EU’s leadership in low-carbon energy industries.

However, EERA warns about the integration of the European Competitiveness Fund (ECF) within the next Framework Programme (FP10) in the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2028-2034.

“We advocate for an independent FP10 with a substantial increase in funding, ensuring that R&D remains a central pillar in Europe’s economic strategy. Additionally, we emphasize the importance of maintaining a dedicated and protected instrument for R&D financing, preventing it from being subject to flexible allocations based on shifting political priorities,” the specialist details.

The role of EERA and the key projects in which it participates

The European Energy Research Alliance (EERA) plays a fundamental role in the research and development of energy technologies in Europe, aligning its efforts with climate neutrality goals for 2050.

Since its creation in 2008 as a pillar of the Strategic Energy Technology Plan (SET Plan), the alliance has promoted collaboration among more than 250 research institutes and universities in 31 countries, establishing itself as a key player in transforming the European energy system.

The organization structures its work through 18 Joint Research Programmes (JPs), covering both technological developments and regulatory and economic aspects of the energy transition.

Over the years, EERA has been a key player in implementing the 10 strategic actions of the SET Plan, contributing to the alignment of R&D funding priorities and the formulation of Strategic Research and Innovation Agendas (SRIAs) in the energy sector.

EERA has played a crucial role in coordinating with European Technology and Industrial Platforms (ETIPs) and the SET Plan Implementation Working Groups (IWGs), ensuring that advanced research translates into concrete solutions for industry and energy markets. The organization continues to expand its impact through strategic collaborations and innovation projects aimed at consolidating European leadership in renewable energy.