CountriesRepresent ed byParliament ariansBSPC WORKING GROUP ONENERGY SECURITY, SELF-SUSTAINABILITY,RESILIENCE AND CONNECTIVITY2023-2025Launched at the 32 BSPC on 27-29 August 2023 in Berlin and operated within atwo-yea r mandate to develop policy recommenda tions for the Baltic S ea region. ndRecommendatio nAreasBest Cro ss-borderexamplesInvolvinggovernmentsWorking Group issue dtwo intergove rnme ntalsurveys to enhance itsfindingsMain Direct ionsEnergy S ecurity andSelf-susta inabilityResilience andInterconne ctivityEnergy Security &Self-Sustainabilit yHybrid & DigitalResilienceMaritime Securit y &Defence Coope rationTranspor t & Infrastructur eConnectivit y“Our recommenda tions call for urgent and coordina tedimplement ation by government s, regional institutions , and EUbodies . Let ’s turn words into a ction—tog ether! ”Chair of the Working GroupAndris K ulbergs3B Synchronisationwith the CNTCCS BalticConsor tium projectGreen Industrial Ar easTeam ThaiGerFinBaltRail Baltica ELWINDNordic Hy drogen R oute Fehmarnbelt T unnelHarnessing ExpertKnowledgex46Fact SheetEnergy Security, Self -Sustainability, Resilience, and Connectivity in the democratic BalticSea RegionOverviewThe Working Group on Energy Security Self -Sustainability Resilience and Connectivity(ESSRC) was established at the 32nd Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference (BSPC) inAugust 2023. It aims to develop political positions and recommendations on energysecurity, self -sustainability, resilience, and connectivity for the Baltic Sea region.Key Topics and Discussions1. Energy Security and Self -sustainability Challenges: Dependence on fossil fuels, mainly from Russia, has been identified as asignificant risk. The need to transition to renewable energy sources is critical. Goals: Achieving self -sustainability through gr een, affordable, and climate -neutralenergy sources. Promoting the use of hydrogen and enhancing cooperation in energyresearch and innovation. Actions:- Phasing out dependency on fossil fuels.- Enhancing cross -border energy interconnections.- Supporting wind and solar energy projects.- Developing hydrogen policies and infrastructure.2. Resilience and Connectivity• Challenges: Strengthening critical infrastructure and improving digital and transportconnectivity are essential for regional stability and economic growth.• Goals: Creating an integrated and resilient regional energy market and buildingsustainable transport systems.• Actions:- Improving regional transport infrastructure, including Rail Baltica and othersignificant projects.- Enhancing digital connectiv ity and cybersecurity.- Coordinating efforts to protect maritime infrastructure.3. Political and Geopolitical Context• Impact of Russia’s Actions: The invasion of Ukraine and other aggressive policies havehighlighted vulnerabilities in the region’s energy security.• Geopolitical Strategy: Addressing hybrid threats and enhancing military mobility andcooperation within NATO frameworks.Key Recommendations1. Energy Security and Self -sustainability• Prioritise projects that improve energy security and sustainab ility.• Invest in new energy infrastructure focusing on regional needs and resilience.• Support interconnections and the development of a regional renewable energy market.• Exchange best practices for wind energy projects.2. Resilience and Connectivity• Develop a coordinated approach to hybrid threats targeting critical infrastructure.• Enhance military and civil transport capabilities.• Improve maritime and railway transport connectivity.• Strengthen digital infrastructure and cybersecurity.• Establish the Baltic Sea Maritime Security Coordination Centre (BSMSCC).• Increase investment in redundant energy and communication links.• Develop regional stockpiling and rapid repair units for critical infrastructure resilience.• Expand sanctions and inspection protocol s to counter shadow fleet risks.3. Cross -Border Projects• Facilitate the implementation of large -scale cross -border projects.• Support the growth of the Baltic Sea renewable energy market.• Develop regional stockpiling infrastructure for crisis preparedness.Summary of Meetings• First Meeting (October 2023, Riga):- Discussed the energy portfolio of the Baltic Sea countries, emphasising the need fora hybrid energy system.- Highlighted the importance of regional cooperation in balancing renewable energysources.• Second Meeting (March 2024, Helsinki):- Focused on geopolitical challenges and hybrid threats.- Discussed the RePowerEU Plan and other measures to reduce dependence on Russianenergy.• Third Meeting (May 2024, Greifswald):- Addressed protection of critical infrastructure and maritime transport challenges.- Discussed the need for more regional stability and cooperation.• Fourth Meeting (November 2024, Bergen):- Visited Kollsnes Process Plant and Eviny Renewable Energy Company.- Discussions focused on maritime security, shadow fleet, critical infrastructureresilience, cybersecurity, and offshore wind security.- Proposed maritime security coordination centre and new regional stockpilingframeworks.• Fifth Meeting (March 2025, Stockholm):- Addressed susta inable and resilient transport, digital connectivity, civil preparedness,and underwater domain resilience.- Visited KTH and electric boat manufacturer Candela.- Advanced proposals on NATO -EU coordination, Baltic Sea security centre, and shadowfleet deterre nce.• Sixth Meeting (May 2025, Tallinn):- Focus on maritime security, critical infrastructure and regional resilience.- Debated legal and institutional gaps in the protection of undersea cables and pipelines.- Reaffirmed the need for a Baltic Sea Maritime Security Coordination Centre(BSMSCC).- Called for a sanctions and inspection regime against the Russian shadow fleet.- Recommended investment in redundant energy and communication links, regionalstockpiling systems, and rapid repair units.Fact SheetEnergy Security, Self -Sustainability, Resilience, and Connectivity in the democratic BalticSea RegionOverviewThe Working Group on Energy Security Self -Sustainability Resilience and Connectivity(ESSRC) was established at the 32nd Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference (BSPC) inAugust 2023. It aims to develop political positions and recommendations on energysecurity, self -sustainability, resilience, and connectivity for the Baltic Sea region.Key Topics and Discussions1. Energy Security and Self -sustainability Challenges: Dependence on fossil fuels, mainly from Russia, has been identified as asignificant risk. The need to transition to renewable energy sources is critical. Goals: Achieving self -sustainability through gr een, affordable, and climate -neutralenergy sources. Promoting the use of hydrogen and enhancing cooperation in energyresearch and innovation. Actions:- Phasing out dependency on fossil fuels.- Enhancing cross -border energy interconnections.- Supporting wind and solar energy projects.- Developing hydrogen policies and infrastructure.2. Resilience and Connectivity• Challenges: Strengthening critical infrastructure and improving digital and transportconnectivity are essential for regional stability and economic growth.• Goals: Creating an integrated and resilient regional energy market and buildingsustainable transport systems.• Actions:- Improving regional transport infrastructure, including Rail Baltica and othersignificant projects.- Enhancing digital connectiv ity and cybersecurity.- Coordinating efforts to protect maritime infrastructure.3. Political and Geopolitical Context• Impact of Russia’s Actions: The invasion of Ukraine and other aggressive policies havehighlighted vulnerabilities in the region’s energy security.• Geopolitical Strategy: Addressing hybrid threats and enhancing military mobility andcooperation within NATO frameworks.Key Recommendations1. Energy Security and Self -sustainability• Prioritise projects that improve energy security and sustainab ility.• Invest in new energy infrastructure focusing on regional needs and resilience.• Support interconnections and the development of a regional renewable energy market.• Exchange best practices for wind energy projects.2. Resilience and Connectivity• Develop a coordinated approach to hybrid threats targeting critical infrastructure.• Enhance military and civil transport capabilities.• Improve maritime and railway transport connectivity.• Strengthen digital infrastructure and cybersecurity.• Establish the Baltic Sea Maritime Security Coordination Centre (BSMSCC).• Increase investment in redundant energy and communication links.• Develop regional stockpiling and rapid repair units for critical infrastructure resilience.• Expand sanctions and inspection protocol s to counter shadow fleet risks.3. Cross -Border Projects• Facilitate the implementation of large -scale cross -border projects.• Support the growth of the Baltic Sea renewable energy market.• Develop regional stockpiling infrastructure for crisis preparedness.Summary of Meetings• First Meeting (October 2023, Riga):- Discussed the energy portfolio of the Baltic Sea countries, emphasising the need fora hybrid energy system.- Highlighted the importance of regional cooperation in balancing renewable energysources.• Second Meeting (March 2024, Helsinki):- Focused on geopolitical challenges and hybrid threats.- Discussed the RePowerEU Plan and other measures to reduce dependence on Russianenergy.• Third Meeting (May 2024, Greifswald):- Addressed protection of critical infrastructure and maritime transport challenges.- Discussed the need for more regional stability and cooperation.• Fourth Meeting (November 2024, Bergen):- Visited Kollsnes Process Plant and Eviny Renewable Energy Company.- Discussions focused on maritime security, shadow fleet, critical infrastructureresilience, cybersecurity, and offshore wind security.- Proposed maritime security coordination centre and new regional stockpilingframeworks.• Fifth Meeting (March 2025, Stockholm):- Addressed susta inable and resilient transport, digital connectivity, civil preparedness,and underwater domain resilience.- Visited KTH and electric boat manufacturer Candela.- Advanced proposals on NATO -EU coordination, Baltic Sea security centre, and shadowfleet deterre nce.• Sixth Meeting (May 2025, Tallinn):- Focus on maritime security, critical infrastructure and regional resilience.- Debated legal and institutional gaps in the protection of undersea cables and pipelines.- Reaffirmed the need for a Baltic Sea Maritime Security Coordination Centre(BSMSCC).- Called for a sanctions and inspection regime against the Russian shadow fleet.- Recommended investment in redundant energy and communication links, regionalstockpiling systems, and rapid repair units.Best Practices Baltic States’ Synchronisation with the European Network: Enhancing energyindependence by integrating with the European grid. ELWIND Project: A joint Estonian -Latvian offshore wind project to increase energysecurity and affordability. Fehmarnbelt Tunnel: Connecting Denmark and Germany to improve transportconnectivity. NordBalt Cable (Lithuania –Sweden): Ensuring redundancy and stability in regionalenergy interconnections. Regional underwater drone projects: Supporting monitoring, surveillance, and rapidrepair of subsea critical infrastructure.For more information, visit the BSPC Website:https://www.bspc.netMembers of the BSPC Working GroupChairmanshipMember Parliament and/or Organisation Member MPBaltic Assembly Andris KulbergsChairpersonMecklenburg -VorpommernPhilipp da CunhaVice-chairpersonNorwayMarius Arion NilsenVice-chairpersonList of MembersMember Parliament and/or Organisation Member MPDenmark Henrik MøllerKim AasEstonia Meelis KiiliFinland Mikko PolvinenGermany Anna KassautzkiLatvia Jānis VucānsLithuania Giedrius DrukteinisNorway Marius Arion NilsenPoland Kacper PłażyńskiSweden Jesper Skalberg KarlssonÅland Benny PetterssonHamburg Philine SturzenbecherMecklenburg -Vorpommern Beate SchluppSchleswig -Holstein Ulrike TäckSecretariat of the Working GroupBodo BahrSecretary General of the Baltic Sea ParliamentaryConferenceSchlossgartenallee 1519061 SchwerinGermanyTel: +49 171 5512557bodo.bahr@bspcmail.nethttp://www.bspc.netAgnija AntanovičaSecretary General of the Baltic AssemblyCitadeles Street 2 -616Riga LV -1010LatviaTel: +371 67225178agnija.antanovica@baltasam.orghttps://baltasam.org/