A recent study by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) reveals that Southeast and Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia (SEECCA) need an estimated $150 B investment by 2030 to overhaul their aging power systems and enable a shift to cleaner energy.
The report outlines a roadmap for transforming energy infrastructure through digital innovation. Technologies such as AI, the Internet of Things (IoT), digital twins, and virtual power plants could deliver up to a 70 % cut in carbon emissions and 80 % cost savings, if applied with system-wide optimisation.
Currently, countries including Albania, Belarus, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, North Macedonia, Moldova, and Ukraine rely on fossil fuels like gas and coal for about 60 % of their energy. The UNECE study, titled Integrating Twin Transition with Legacy Energy Systems, stresses the importance of robust policy, advanced grid development, and cybersecurity improvements.
Key strategies include IoT-enabled retrofitting of buildings, transitional use of gas with hydrogen-ready infrastructure, AI-driven grid management, and enhanced cross-border energy integration.
To meet these goals, the report calls for support in innovation, planning, training, and funding – especially to overcome outdated infrastructure, regulatory gaps, and a shortage of skilled workers.
The study promotes a human-centred approach to digitalisation, balancing equity and long-term sustainability, and was presented at a workshop in Minsk on 22 May 2025, co-organised with UNDP Belarus and national energy authorities.
Source: Energy Monitor
