IENE Team Visits Croatian Energy Entities Ahead of October 10 Workshop

On May 15, IENE’s Executive Director Mr. Costis Stambolis and IENE’s Research Project Coordinator Mr. Nicholas Sofianos visited Zagreb, the capital of Croatia, in preparation of a workshop which IENE plans to organize there on October 10, 2014. The workshop will focus on Croatia’s emerging role as a key player in the SE European Energy Bridge, currently under development.

While in Zagreb, the IENE team had the opportunity to visit the Croatian Energy Institute Hrvoje Pozar, a well established research centre, and discuss potential cooperation and examine collaboration opportunities in meetings with Mr. Damit Pesut, the head of the department for Energy System Planning and with the General Manager Mr. Dr. Goran Granic. following exchange of information it was decided that the two Institutes will actively seek to explore cooperation on a number of areas and jointly participate in projects, possibly in European Programmes, on areas such as energy efficiency, RES penetration in the broader energy mix, and also examine an expanded role for gas on a regional basis, with Croatia as the country of reference.

The IENE team also visited Mr. Vladimir Durovic, head of the development department at Plinacro( Croatia’s National Gas Company), who is also a member of IENE’s International Advisory Group. The IENE team had a very fruitful discussion with Mr. Durovic regarding the organization of common activities as well as exchanging views regarding the energy sector of the broader West Balkan region. Mr. Durovic is due to visit Thassaloniki in order to participate in IENE’s 8^th SE Europe Energy Dialogue, June 11-12.Mr where he is a speaker.It should be noted that MR. Durovic has participated in the Energy Dialogue since its inception IN 2007 and his contribution to the Dialogue proceedings is much appreciated by IENE and its associate members in all different countries of the region.