As part of this year’s Consultation Forum for Sustainable Energy in the Defence and Security Sector (CF SEDSS) conference, participants also attended the 1st CF SEDSS IV Energy Technology Solutions (ETS) Conference and on-site exhibition, held in Nicosia, Cyprus, on 6-7 May under the auspices of the Cypriot Presidency of the Council and hosted by the Cypriot Ministry of Defence.
Bringing together 26 EU countries, more than 180 experts and 21 exhibiting companies, the event showcased cutting-edge clean energy technologies solutions with applications for defence and explored how innovations can support the sector’s transition towards the 2035 energy landscape. Through panel discussions, company pitches, and demonstrations, it provided a platform for the CF SEDSS community, industry, and research and technology organisations to exchange knowledge on emerging defence energy solutions.
Opening this year’s ETS conference, Anders Sjöborg, Deputy Chief Executive of the European Defence Agency, emphasized: “In the current security and defence context, energy goes far beyond a supporting role - it defines what our armed forces can do, and for how long. Strengthening resilience, sustainability, and security of supply, through technological innovation and greater energy efficiency, is therefore an essential objective for us all.”
The growing strategic importance of energy in defence was highlighted by Panagiotis Hadjipavlis, Director of Armaments and Defence Capabilities Development at the Ministry of Defence of Cyprus. He underlined the need to enhance operational resilience and reduce dependencies through the adoption of advanced and sustainable energy solutions: “Energy resilience is no longer an abstract objective. It is a measurable, engineerable, and operationally decisive capability.” He further referred to Cyprus’ active participation in European collaborative programmes, including initiatives supported by the European Defence Fund, aimed at strengthening intelligent and resilient energy systems across the European defence ecosystem.
The conference opened with a discussion on how artificial intelligence and smart grids can strengthen and secure defence energy infrastructures. Speakers addressed the integration of renewable energy sources, optimisation of energy demand, protection against cyber and physical threats, and the need to ensure uninterrupted power supply during crisis.
The second panel turned to the financial dimension of Europe’s energy transition, examining how to align defence priorities, industrial capability development and available EU funding instruments. Drawing on concrete experiences from programmes such as Horizon 2020 and the European Defence Fund, panellists examined the regulatory, financial, and coordination challenges involved in strengthening public–private cooperation.
The bridge between defence and private sector
In parallel, the Energy Technology Solutions Exhibition provided 21 companies with the opportunity to present clean energy technologies and services, such as battery storage, microgrids, renewable generation, intelligent energy management and hybrid systems, that support the defence sector’s green transition and long‑term energy resilience.
"We designed our energy systems for efficiency, not for disruption, and that is now our biggest risk. Two urgencies are converging: climate change and energy security – and they demand the same response. Accelerating energy transition is therefore a strategic necessity to strengthen defence resilience and reduce vulnerable dependencies," said General Tom Middendorp (Ret.), former Chief of Defence of the Netherlands and Chairman of the International Military Council on Climate and Security.
About the Consultation Forum
Consultation Forum for Sustainable Energy in the Defence and Security Sector (CF SEDSS) is a European Commission initiative managed by the European Defence Agency addressing, at the European level, common energy considerations in the defence and security sector. Building on the achievements of the previous phases (CF SEDSS phases I, II and III), the European Defence Agency, with the support of the European Commission (Directorate-General for Energy - DG ENER), continues assisting the European ministries of defence and relevant defence stakeholders to move towards more affordable, sustainable and resilient energy models.
The project is co-funded by the European Union’s (EU) LIFE programme and will run until 30 September 2028.