SET Plan in action

The SET Plan was established in 2007 to support the EU’s energy and climate goals and make Europe a global leader in low-carbon energy and energy efficiency technologies. It is linked to the fifth dimension of the Energy Union – ‘Research, innovation and competitiveness’ – which are translated into the SET Plan’s 10 key actions.

The SET Plan countries are encouraged to link the objectives and research and innovation (R&I) activities in their National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs) to the SET Plans objectives and activities. The Commission also encourages SET Plan countries to strengthen the collaboration between NECP actors and the SET Plan community.

Governance

The SET Plan community includes all entities and actors contributing to the SET Plan. This includes:

• the SET Plan Steering Group
• the Bureau of the SET Plan Steering Group
• the European Commission
• the SET Plan Information System (SETIS)
• Implementation Working Groups
• European Technology and Innovation Platform
• the temporary task forces on cross-cutting topics
• the European Energy Research Alliance
• the Clean Energy Transition Partnership
• the Driving Urban Transition Partnership.

Steering Group

The Steering Group is the main decision-making body of the SET Plan, established under the Net-Zero Industry Act (NZIA) and governed by its Rules of Procedure. 

It is composed of representatives from the EU Member States and the European Commission, with EEA countries participating as observers in Steering Group meetings.  The Steering Group is chaired by the European Commission, with support from the Bureau when appropriate. Depending on the agenda and meeting needs, ETIPs, IWGs, experts or other third parties may be invited to participate. 

The objectives of the Steering Group are to:

• provide guidance and direction to the SET Plan
• facilitate alignment between EU and national research and innovation programmes
• contribute national perspectives and best practices to enrich discussions and support the strategic direction of the SET Plan
• coordinate efforts with the European Commission to promote the development of clean, efficient, and cost-competitive energy technologies, including collaboration with third countries when relevant
• advise and assist the European Commission in launching initiatives related to the Steering Group’s objectives
• support the execution and follow-up of the SET Plan’s priorities and objectives.

In addition, Steering Group members are expected to: 

• prepare, attend and follow up on Steering Group meetings and other written requests
• endorse, comment on, or reject common implementation and investment plans (CIIPs) or any other documents drafted by IWGs on behalf of the SET Plan
• define the governance framework
• monitor the work of working groups and ETIPs, and ensure the adequate implementation of its work. 

Bureau of the SET Plan Steering Group

The Bureau is an informal body of the SET Plan that supports the work of the SET Plan Steering Group on a voluntary basis by preparing internal meetings and discussions. It consists of the countries that have expressed an interest to be part of the Bureau.

SET Plan Information System (SETIS)

SETIS is the open-access information platform for the SET Plan, managed by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre.

SETIS provides up-to-date information on the SET Plan, its IWGs and the European R&I data. It also serves as the central hub for SET Plan documents, including the annual monitoring reports that track the SET Plan’s progress and achievements.

Implementation Working Groups (IWGs)

IWGs are collaborative bodies dedicated to advancing the technologies covered by the SET Plan. Working closely with SET Plan countries and the European Commission, they aim to support the development of clean, efficient and cost‑competitive energy technologies that contribute to the EU’s climate and energy objectives. IWGs collaborate with ETIPs and EERA and actively participate in task forces. 

IWGs are initially established as temporary working groups and, once formally endorsed, become fully recognised IWGs. Their Mandating Documents serve as quasi‑legal agreements through which the Steering Group assigns responsibilities to each IWG. The IWG Chairs and the European Commission ensure that these documents are appropriately tailored to the specific needs and scope of each IWG. 

The Mandating Document template specifies that each IWG is responsible for the following: 

• developing a Thematic Vision for its domain or technology area covering the next five years, outlining its expected contribution to the EU’s overarching objectives in energy, climate and competitiveness, and ensuring alignment with relevant EU legislation (e.g. the Net Zero Industry Act, Renewable Energy Directive, European Climate Law)
• overseeing the stakeholder community’s development of Strategic Research and Innovation Agendas (SRIA) aimed at achieving this vision
• identifying and collecting implementation and investment commitments based on national priorities 

• monitoring and reporting on the progress of the CIIP. 

   

IWGs also address non-technical issues such as:

• social acceptance
• regulation
• financing
• marketing challenges
• cross-cutting topics e.g. circularity, digitalisation and citizen empowerment.

Each IWG focuses on specific technology domains and themes, and sets technology targets to be supported by R&I.

The IWG implementation plans represent the reference document of the SET Plan in each field, supporting Europe to achieve the objects of the European Green Deal, REPowerEU and the Green Deal Industrial Plan to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.

The working groups also identify challenges and provide recommendations to overcome them. They promote best practices to drive innovation and investment in clean energy technologies and related processes.

In addition, IWGs contribute to the SET Plan by expanding IWG membership and strengthening ties with other IWGs and relevant organisations, such as the CETPartnership and DUT Partnership, European Technology and Innovation Platforms and the European Energy Research Alliance.

IWGs are composed of representatives from SET Plan countries who are officially appointed by the relevant national or regional authorities, typically ministries. 

They may also include additional stakeholders from industry and academia, as well as support staff. Each IWG defines its own structure and internal organisation, which is then submitted to the Steering Group for approval. 

European Technology and Innovation Platforms (ETIPs)

ETIPs  consist of representatives from industry and research organisations, and endorsed by the Commission and the SET Plan Steering Group. Their mission is to develop and deploy clean energy technologies.

ETIPs serve as key advisory bodies within the SET Plan, providing input to the IWGs working on specific SET Plan technology areas and contributing to the creation of their implementation plans. They are key players in performing the R&I activities outlined in each working group implementation plan. Most, but not all IWGs have a corresponding ETIP. Under the guidance of the IWGs, ETIPs are responsible for developing SRIAs that reflect the priorities set out in the IWG Thematic Visions. 

Each ETIP brings together a diverse range of stakeholders, spanning the entire energy value chain within SET Plan countries. They include:

• industry (e.g. energy generation, energy services, infrastructure operators, etc.)
• research entities
• non-governmental organisations (if relevant)
• sectoral associations
• the ETIPs Forum, where ETIP representatives and affiliated initiatives meet to discuss ETIPs’ activities and common actions.

Task forces

Five temporary cross-cutting task forces have been established to support the work of the IWGs and ETIPs. These cross-cutting task forces bring together selected representatives from IWGs, ETIPs and other supporting entities.  They will operate between 2024 – 2027 and will focus on the cross-cutting topics of:

• circularity and materials substitution
• R&I for societal needs
• digitalisation
• skills
• access to market.

Each task force will produce tangible results to address the SET Plan’s cross-cutting challenges and provide actionable recommendations. These recommendations will help the SET Plan community integrate these important topics into their work, especially within all IWGs and ETIPs. The task forces regularly report back to the Steering Group.

Learn more about the task forces

European Energy Research Alliance (EERA)

The EERA is the research arm of the SET Plan and coordinates the largest pan-European community focused on low-carbon energy research. Established in 2008, EERA unites over 250 organisations from 31 countries, primarily universities and research centres. Its mission is to drive European energy research towards a climate-neutral society by 2050.

EERA’s activities are organised through Joint Programmes that cover a range of SET Plan technology areas, fostering collaboration and alignment of research priorities across Europe.  

EERA also collaborates closely with tETIPs and IWGs on the SRIAs and CIIPs, and it also engages in the task forces.  

The Clean Energy Transition Partnership (CETPartnership)

The CETPartnership, co-funded under Horizon Europe, brings together public and private stakeholders engaged in R&I. The partnership involves national and regional funding organisations that coordinate research, development and innovation programmes in SET Plan countries.

As a co-funded partnership, the CETPartnership aims to accelerate the clean energy transition and support the EU’s ambition of becoming the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. 

The Driving Urban Transition Partnership (DUT Partnership)

DUT Partnership, driven my Member States and funded by the EU, addresses key urban transition challenges. Its goal is to create an innovation ecosystem that benefits all urban stakeholders. 

DUT Partnership is an EU-funded R&I programme committed to addressing urban sustainability issues and contributing to the EU Cities Mission, the European Green Deal and the Urban Agenda for the EU. 

The partnership unites over 65 partners from 28 countries including funding agencies, ministries, urban policy agencies and expert organisations. Collectively, they provide the expertise and capacity needed for a comprehensive urban R&I programme.  

The partnership acts as a catalyst for transformational change by invol ving stakeholders in: 

• strategic planning
• developing and implementing annual calls
• translating project results into practical applications. 

The DUT Partnership includes the following initiatives: 

• Clean Hydrogen Joint Undertaking: an institutionalised public private partnership under Horizon Europe
• European Partnership for an Industrial Battery Value Chain: a coprogrammed partnership under Horizon Europe
• European Partnership for Peoplecentric Sustainable Built Environment: a coprogrammed partnership under Horizon Europe. 

These partnerships foster collaboration among stakeholders within their respective fields and, in some cases, implement actions related to the SET Plan. 

By emphasising co-creation and collaboration, DUT Partnership helps cities across Europe become more inclusive, resilient, climate neutral and sustainable.

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