Unlocking Sustainable Energy: the 18th SET Plan Conference

Energy sector policymakers, researchers, and industry stakeholders recently gathered in Budapest for the 18th SET Plan Conference held on 14-15 November 2025. Organized under the Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the EU, in collaboration with the European Commission, the event focused on scaling up research, innovation, and competitiveness in clean energy technologies.

Held at the impressive Várkert Bazár, the conference aimed to boost innovation and cooperation in implementing the European Strategic Energy Technology Plan. Attendees discussed the transition to a climate-neutral energy system through the rapid and cost-effective development of low-carbon technologies. The discussions were particularly relevant to partners and stakeholders of the Interreg Europe project UNLOCK, which seeks to unlock the green hydrogen economy for SMEs in European regions. Dr. Beata Kviatek, Jean Monnet Chair in Sustainable EU Economy, represented the UNLOCK project and actively participated in the discussions.

The conference commenced with two high-level plenary sessions. The first session focused on accelerating the development, production, and commercialization of innovative technologies. The second session addressed the integration of cross-cutting policies and skills development. Henk-Jan Vink, President of the European Energy Research Alliance (EERA), highlighted the fragmentation of Europe's energy market, research, and regulatory landscape as a significant barrier to progress.

Key outcomes from the conference included:

1. Identification of barriers: Acknowledgement of the significant fragmentation in the European energy market, research, and regulatory landscape, as highlighted by Henk-Jan Vink.
2. Focus on innovation: Emphasis on accelerating the development, production, and commercialization of innovative technologies.
3. Policy integration: Discussion on the integration of cross-cutting policies and skills development to support the transition to a climate-neutral energy system.
4. Advances in technologies: Exploration of industrial decarbonization strategies, advances in emerging technologies, sustainability in wind technologies, and digitalization of energy systems.
5. Hydrogen innovation: Coverage of research, policy, and market synergies crucial for advancing a European hydrogen economy.
6. Geothermal energy: Emphasis on geothermal energy's role in the energy transition, its potential as a renewable source for electricity, heating, and cooling, and its role as an energy storage solution and source of minerals.
7. New SET Plan: Review of the new SET Plan and the recent EERA report, offering ten recommendations for enhancing EU competitiveness and strategic autonomy.

The second day of the conference centered on hydrogen innovation, covering research, policy, and market synergies crucial for advancing a European hydrogen economy. Additionally, discussions on geothermal energy emphasized its role in the energy transition. Participants explored its potential as a renewable source for electricity, heating, and cooling, as an energy storage solution, and as a source of lithium and other minerals.

Overall, the conference provided critical insights and fostered collaboration, propelling the journey towards sustainable energy solutions forward.