First Day of IENE's 8th SEEED Focused on the Global Perspectives of the Energy Sector and Electricity Market Priorities in SE Europe

The "Global and Regional Perspectives of Energy” and "Electricity Market Priorities and Infrastructure Requirements in SE Europe” were, respectively, the subjects of the first and the second sessions of IENE’s "8th SE Europe Energy Dialogue”, which took place in Thessaloniki (June 11 - 12, 2014). Held under the auspices of the Greek Presidency of the EU and organized  in association with the World Energy Council (WEC), this year’s Energy Dialogue meeting, focuses on "The New Energy Mix”, which gradually emerges in SE Europe and beyond. 

Senior executives of regional and international energy organizations and institutions were some of the speakers of the first day of the conference. More specifically, Mr. Timur Topalgoekceli, Energy Analyst of the International Energy Agency (IEA), Ms Barbora Jaksova, advisor to EC Director of the Energy Community Secretariat, were the speakers of the first session, whereas Mr. Aleksandar Mijuskovic, Executive Director of the Montenegro- based Coordinated Auction Office for South East Europe (SEE CAO) was the second session’ s keynote speaker.

The "8th SEEED” started with opening remarks by Mr. Slav Slavov, Regional Manager of World Energy Council (WEC), while the guest speaker at the official conference dinner was Greece’s ex Minister of Environment and Energy, Dr. Evangelos Livieratos, Professor of Geodesy and Cartography at the School of Surveying Engineering at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.

Moreover, the subjects to be covered tomorrow, June 12, second and last day of IENE’s "8th SEEED”, are the following:

• SE Europe’s Expanding Natural Gas Market. Keynote speaker: Mr. Pat Breen (CEO, Gas Strategies, UK)

• Gas Market Challenges in SE Europe. Keynote speaker: Mr. Roland Wolk, Head of Marketing & Sales, Central European Gas Hub AG (CEGH) (Vienna, Austria)

• Regional Investment and Business Opportunities in Oil & Gas Exploration. Keynote speaker: Mr. Hans Hutta, General Director, International Center for Petroleum & Industrial Management (ICM) (Vienna, Austria)

• RES/Grid Transformation and Storage Revolution – Energy Efficiency and Cogeneration in SE Europe. Keynote speaker: Mr. John Chadjivassiliadis, Chairman, IENE

• The Changing Energy Landscape of SE Europe and Key Policy Issues. Keynote speaker:  Dr. Yurdakul Yigitguden, Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environment Activities

It must also be stressed that the "8th SE Europe Energy Dialogue” is being organized with the active sponsorship and support of a group of leading energy companies. More specifically, Greece’s Public Gas Corporation (DEPA) is the event’s lead sponsor, while the Public Power Corporation (PPC) and the KG Law Firm are sponsors of the conference. Moreover, IENE’s "8th SEEED” is supported by Terna Energy SA, EDF Energy Nouvelles, Energean Oil and Gas Co., and the Norton Rose Fulbright Law Firm.

In addition to the official representation from each one of the SE European countries and the participation of top management executives from most major energy companies of the region, senior executives from banks and financial institutions, donor representatives as well as high ranking officials from major international organizations are expected to take part in this two day high powered regional meeting.

This year, the SE Europe Energy Dialogue meeting is highly topical in view of the ongoing debate between the EU and major suppliers with regard to the security of energy supplies, their high dependence on hydrocarbon imports and the global concern for the development of viable alternatives. The implications on market operation from the introduction and application of EU’s 3rd Energy Package will also provide the opportunity for a wide ranging of discussion. Furthermore, this year's Dialogue focuses on the latest developments of the region’s evolving natural gas and electricity markets and S.E. Europe’s ever deepening energy partnerships with Russia, the Caspian Sea, the Persian Gulf, the East Mediterranean and North Africa.

Media partners of IENE’s "8th SEEED” include the the "Kathimerini” Athens daily and the "New Europe" newspapers, as well as See News and Energia.gr websites.