During the European Committee of the Regions' May plenary session, under the "local matters" debate, Mr Karl Vanlouwe, member of the Flemish Parliament, initiated a discussion on the protection of critical energy infrastructure.
Mr Vanlouwe called for a stronger role for regions and federal states, where much of this infrastructure is located and where first responses to crises often begin.
“Physical threats, cyberattacks, and geopolitical pressure underline the need for robust, integrated protection,” said Vanlouwe. “And this must happen not only at Member State level, but also at the level of regions and federal states.”
Vanlouwe pointed to the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, gas import terminals and nuclear capacity in Flanders as prime examples of strategically vital infrastructure situated in regions rather than capitals.
Alongside these assets, Flanders has developed a robust ecosystem of AI, technology, and cybersecurity expertise — making it both a potential target and a crucial partner in Europe’s resilience strategy.
He welcomed recent EU legislative steps, notably the CER Directive and the NIS2 Directive, but insisted that these must not remain confined to national-level implementation.
“Whether we are talking about energy ports, grid operators, or nuclear installations, these are often situated in regions that hold the primary responsibility for prevention, response, and recovery.”
Vanlouwe called for a European strategy that reflects regional specificities and supports tailored solutions, especially through cooperation between regions facing similar risks and sharing comparable capabilities.
This includes cross-border energy clusters, smart grids, and knowledge exchange between industrial regions with complex infrastructures.
Ms Anna Stürgkh, Member of the European Parliament and rapporteur on "Electricity grids: the backbone of the EU energy system", also took part in the debate and echoed the importance of regional involvement.
She underlined that the future of Europe’s energy transition and resilience rests not only on innovation but also on closer coordination between levels of government and stakeholders across borders.
Mr Vanlouwe also highlighted the role of public trust and civic resilience, noting that technical infrastructure alone is not enough.
“Resilience starts not only with technology, but with public trust and transparency. Flanders is working on emergency procedures, information-sharing, and risk communication — and we see this as a shared European responsibility.”
He concluded with a series of concrete proposals to strengthen Europe’s energy and digital security:
Involve regions directly in EU programmes such as Digital Europe and Horizon Europe
Support cross-border pilot projects on AI and cybersecurity, anchored in regional expertise
Uphold subsidiarity by involving local and regional authorities early in the legislative process
Promote structured knowledge exchange between EU institutions and regional governments, notably through the CoR
“This is how we can truly strengthen Europe’s digital and energy resilience: by treating regions and federal states as full-fledged partners.”