by Nikola Tomasović*
Actual energy issues will be raised and discussed at the 10th SEEED, organized by the Regional Institute of Energy for South East Europe (IENE), which will take place in Belgrade on June 13-14. The IENE major study – "SE Europe Energy Outlook 2016/2017” will be presented at the conference for the first time in this region. The audience will be provided with an insight into the region covering counties from Slovenia to Turkey and address the regions main energy sector challenges.
This conference, as, traditionally organized in Thessaloniki but for the first time in Belgrade, provides the opportunity for the audience to:
- Address energy and climate change challenges in the South East Europe, notably in the Western Balkans
- Join the representation of the region by high ranking officials from national and international organisations
- Exchange views with management executives from major energy companies, senior bankers and financial institutions’ representatives
- Oversee the current and future investment landscape, especially in the fields of electricity markets, natural gas infrastructure, and renewables
- Raise questions and opinions about the main developments and shaping the energy future of this region
Challenges in the Western Balkans
With approximately 20 million potential of new EU citizens, the Western Balkans is not only an emerging energy market, but also a promising corridor and sustainable route to transfer energy across Europe. The main challenges of the Western Balkans in order to accomplish their national targets and fully integrate in the Energy Union concern the following sectors:
- Combination of national approaches with a wider, common regional interest
- Compliance of the EU and the regional energy policy framework in order to adapt to the changing energy landscape
- Improving the environment and the framework for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects
- Forming attractive conditions for energy investments and business opportunities in the Western Balkans and the wider South East Europe
- Establishment of permanent regional platforms for coordinated regional strategic planning, sharing of experiences, joint research and best practice
- Addressing the effects of energy poverty and achieving the balance between energy affordability and environmental sustainability.
* Nikola Tomasović
is a Serbian/Greek energy consultant with experience in South East Europe,
especially in the Western Balkans.As participant of
the 10th SEEED, he raises the main energy challenges for the Western
Balkans that will be presented at the Conference.
