Gdańsk Energy Forum on Energy Transition in Local Governments
(11.03.2026)
On March 10, 2026, a conference entitled “Energy Forum within the Framework of Smart Specializations for Pomerania – Energy Transition on a Municipal Scale” was held in Gdańsk. It was organized by Słupskie Wodociągi (Słupsk Water Supply), the leader of the Słupsk Bioenergy Cluster. The event took place under the honorary patronage of the Marshal of the Pomeranian Voivodeship, Mieczysław Struk, with the Local Government of the Pomeranian Voivodeship serving as the conference partner.
The aim of the meeting was to exchange experiences and good practices regarding energy transition implemented at the local level in the Pomeranian Voivodeship.
The event was attended by representatives of central and local government administration, municipal companies, energy system operators, financing institutions, and industry experts.
The Forum was organized as part of the information and education activities of the project “SWB Słupsk Bioenergy Island – Developing energy competences of the SKB cluster coordinator”, which in 2025 received non-repayable support from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan under investment B2.2.2/G1.1.2: RES installations implemented by energy communities, Part B: investment support for energy communities, Activity B.1: Demonstration investment projects implemented by energy communities.
Challenges of Energy Transition
The first expert panel focused on the systemic conditions of energy transition in Poland and the challenges that local governments face in implementing energy projects.
The discussion involved representatives of public administration, including the Ministry of Climate and Environment and the Marshal’s Office of the Pomeranian Voivodeship, energy system operators such as Polskie Sieci Elektroenergetyczne and Energa Operator, and supporting institutions, including the Regional Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management in Gdańsk, the Association of Renewable Energy Friendly Municipalities, and the WKB Law Firm.
The panelists highlighted regulatory, financial, and organizational barriers, including limited staffing resources and insufficient access to specialized energy expertise in many local government units. At the same time, it was emphasized that energy transition represents a major development opportunity for local communities and a vital element in building energy security.
As the President of Słupskie Wodociągi and leader of the Słupsk Bioenergy Cluster emphasized during the conference: “Energy transition is energy from local cooperation. Together, we can do something truly good and significant for our communities.”
Cooperation as the Key to Change
During the forum, the importance of cooperation between local governments, municipal companies, and enterprises from the energy and heating sectors was repeatedly stressed. Such partnerships allow for the effective planning and execution of energy investments at the local level.
An example of this cooperative model is the Słupsk Bioenergy Cluster, which was highlighted as one of the good practices in the field of local energy development.
Practical Experiences
The second part of the conference was dedicated to practical experiences related to the energy transition process in local communities.
The discussion featured representatives from the National Chamber of Energy Clusters and RES, the Polish Energy Storage Association, the Kashubian Energy Center at the Szemud Municipality, the Clean Energy Port in Gdańsk, and the municipal company KOS-EKO from Kościerzyna.
The panelists shared their experiences in implementing energy projects in local governments and pointed out the significance of collaboration between local government, business, and public institutions.
The conference also provided an opportunity for networking and exchanging experiences among representatives of local governments, public institutions, and the energy sector.
