CESI at 11th EUSAIR Forum: Power Grids are a “No-Regret” Priority

SKOPJE, NORTH MACEDONIA — CESI took part in the 11th EUSAIR Forum on May 19, 2026, contributing to the discussion on energy security, infrastructure resilience and future risks across the Adriatic and Ionian region.

During the high-level panel “Energy Security through the Adriatic and Ionian Region while Confronting Emerging Threats and Future Risks,” CESI was represented by Alessio Cipullo, Head of Italy and EU Public Affairs, who highlighted the strategic role of power grids as the indispensable backbone of the global energy transition.

With global electricity demand projected to double—potentially accounting for 55–70% of final energy consumption—annual network investments must rise from approximately $300 billion to $800 billion. In this rapidly evolving landscape, strengthening infrastructure resilience against technical failures and extreme climate events has become a key priority.

In this context, CESI emphasized that accelerating the development of interconnections, combined with rigorous testing, inspection and certification of components, represents a vital “no-regret option” for the region.

For CESI, investing in robust grid infrastructure and advanced testing technologies is essential to bolstering energy security, accelerating decarbonization and sustaining European industrial competitiveness. By fostering highly meshed networks and long-distance energy corridors, the Adriatic and Ionian region can move towards a more secure, integrated and resilient energy ecosystem.