The European Mountain Pact, launched by M. Fabrice Pannekoucke, President of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region, provides the framework for this session, highlighting the role of mountains as natural catalysts for Europe’s energy transition. Launched in 2024, the European Mountain Pact aims to ensure that the EU fully considers the specific territorial characteristics of mountain areas in all relevant policies and funding programmes, with the goal of fostering vibrant, dynamic and sustainable mountain regions. 

In the energy sector also, mountains face unique technical and environmental challenges, yet they offer high potential for innovation in energy systems, particularly in the development of resilient grids and the deployment of hydrogen solutions. 

This session adopts a technical and practice-oriented approach, bringing together experiences and lessons from mountain regions across Europe, including Norway, Romania, France and Italy. By sharing on-the-ground solutions, operational insights and lessons learned at the local level, the session will illustrate how energy-efficient approaches can be effectively implemented in diverse mountainous contexts, addressing both infrastructure constraints and environmental considerations. 

Through this exchange, participants will gain insights into how EU policies can support scalable and replicable solutions, leveraging the catalytic role of mountains. The session will focus on grids and hydrogen, two highly relevant levers for resilient, flexible, and low-carbon energy systems. By combining practical experiences with policy discussions, the session aims to inform future EU strategies and enhance cooperation across regions, helping mountains continue to lead the way in Europe’s energy transition. 

To attend the event, please register by filling in this form or by contacting delegation.bruxelles@auvergnerhonealpes.fr