Empowering and protecting vulnerable households on the path to decarbonisation: From gas grids to renewable heat

Venue: NH Berlaymont - Jean Rey, Boulevard Charlemagne 11-19, Brussels

Co-hosted by the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung European Union | Global Dialogue, the Energy Poverty Advisory Hub (EPAH), BEUC – The European Consumer Organisation and Directorate-General for Energy, European Commission, DG ENER B1

The electrification and the phasing out of fossil fuels (and specifically gas), which can be seen as two sides of the same coin, risk deepening access and affordability barriers for vulnerable consumers, increasing energy burdens and inequalities. Coordinating solutions across governments, industry and social actors' remains a key challenge. The session will explore how to protect and support consumers, and specifically vulnerable ones in switching to clean, affordable heating.

Speakers:

• Alejandro Ulzurrun, Head of Unit (Consumers, Just Transition, Local Initiatives), Directorate-General for Energy, European Commission
• Sandra Vainutė, Energy Attaché at the Permanent Representation of Lithuania to the European Union
• Filip Watteeuw, Deputy Mayor of Ghent for Housing, Environment, Climate and Energy, City of Ghent
• Jozefien Vanbecelaere, Policy Director, European Heat Pump Association
• Eva Schwab, Policy Officer, FEANTSA - European Federation of National Organisations working with the Homeless
• Lucila de Almeida, Professor, Florence School of Regulation
• Frederico Oliveira da Silva, Head of Energy, BEUC – The European Consumer Organisation

Moderator: Marion Santini, Team Leader, Regulatory Assistance Project (RAP)

Please register online for the European Sustainable Energy Week 2026: https://interactive.eusew.eu/platform/eusew-2026

For more information, please contact Jörg Mühlenhoff, Head of Programme European Energy Transition, Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung European Union | Global Dialogue