The energy challenges confronting Europe and the world today require urgent and ambitious decisions by politicians and industry alike. While Europe does have a comprehensive energy and climate agenda, it will take decades to put our energy system onto a sustainable and secure path if public awareness is not sufficiently raised, energy / climate policies remain uncoordinated, and finance is not forthcoming.Europe’s electricity industry is fully committed to the development of a competitive energy market and to carbon-neutral supply by 2050 but its ultimate delivery is dependent on numerous external factors. “Politics vs Industry: On the Cliff Edge – Europe’s New Energy Challenges” is the underlying theme of EURELECTRIC’s annual convention and conference in Malta on 4-5 June 2012. The event will take stock of progress to date and examine the regulatory, financial and economic challenges facing the industry, against the background of customer/public expectations. It is also a prime opportunity to network and engage in frank and open discussions on Europe’s future energy landscape in the presence of top energy executives from Europe and across the world, as well as EU and international officials and business stakeholders.Specific conference sessions over the two day event are subdivided as follows:Session 1: Energy challenges: a global perspective Session 2: Mismatched European policies: energy / climate reality check Session 3: CEO Forum: financing investments, refining strategies Session 4: EU Islands: test beds for mainland integration?