A total of 18 speakers and panelists participated in a workshop organized by IENE in cooperation with the Energy Agency of the Republic of Serbia (AERS) , at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, in Belgrade , on March 7, 2012 . The workshop’s main themes focused on electricity and gas market operation but also covered few other subjects including Renewable Energy Sources (RES), energy efficiency and energy infrastructure investments. This unique event attracted professionals and experts from different countries of the West Balkans, a region of immense importance from a geopolitical viewpointA total of 18 speakers and panelists participated in a workshop organized by IENE in cooperation with the Energy Agency of the Republic of Serbia (AERS), at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, in Belgrade, on March 7, 2012. The workshop’s main themes focused on electricity and gas market operation but also covered few other subjects including Renewable Energy Sources (RES), energy efficiency and energy infrastructure investments. This unique event attracted professionals and experts from different countries of the West Balkans, a region of immense importance from a geopolitical viewpoint.
This event, which covered latest developments in the broad energy sector, including energy security issues, brought together high-ranking government officials and energy experts from the West Balkans area. Speakers at the workshop included senior executives from West Balkan TSOs, electricity traders, RES associations and well known energy companies active in the region. The workshop provided also a very good opportunity for exchanging information and ideas, networking and discussions on the shaping of initiatives and institutional actions necessary in order to meet the mounting energy and environmental challenges of the region.
The workshop opened with introductory remarks by the Secretary General of AERS, Mr. Petar Maksimović and the Executive Director of IENE, Mr. Costis Stambolis, who also presented the findings of IENE’s major study, "S.E. Europe Energy Outlook 2011”.
The second session, focused on the current position and the development prospects of the regional electricity market and included prominent speakers from both national and international regulatory institutions and electricity companies. Ms. Nina Grall-Edler (Energy Community Regulatory Board - ECRB) refered to the legislative framework for SEE Region, followed by Mr. Nenad Stefanovic of AERS, who described in detail the regulatory activities in SEE Region and in Serbia, according to the SEE Regional Action Plan (RAP) with a special reference to the Serbian TSO achievements. Mr. Alexandar Mijuscovic (Department Director, Crnogorski Elektroprenosni, Sistem AD of Montenegro– CGES) presented the latest SEE CAO activities and the Montenegrin TSO achievements with a special reference to the electricity interconnection project between Italy and Montenegro at the regional Electricity Auction office (EAO). A very lively round table discussion on SEE electricity market issues ensued with the participation of electricity traders includingMr. Ivan Jankovic(Verbund, Vienna), Mr. Dragan Vlaisavljevic (EPS Trading Department, Serbia) and Mr. Mladen Apostolovic (EFT Belgrade, Serbia).
The challenges that the regional gas market is facing were discussed by top analysts and professional in the gas sector. Mr. Vangelis Kosmas (Head of Corporate Affairs & Communication, Public Gas Corporation, Greece), Mr. Milan Zdravković (Development Sector Director, JP Srbijagas, Serbia), and Mr. Vladimir Đurović (Manager, Development Division Department, Plinacro Ltd, Croatia) referred to the latest developments concerning the construction of pipelines, the securing of further gas supplies and their importance to the economies of West Balkans.
The current situation and future outlook of RES, cogeneration and energy efficiency in the region was the theme of the last session of this joint IENE-AERS event. Mr Nicholas Sofianos (IENE, Greece) provided a regional perspective of the RES whereas Mr. Vladimir Djordjevic (Power Industry of Serbia - EPS) presented the company’s investment strategy in the RES sector, followed by Ms Maja Turković of the Serbian Wind Energy Association (SEWEA), who described the development and future potential of Serbian wind energy sector. Ms. Mirjana Milovanovic (Associate Banker – Power & Energy Utilities EBRD – Serbia) referred to the crucial topic of RES investments and financing, followed by Mr. Bojan Kovačić, of the Serbian Energy Efficiency Agency (SEEA), who analysed the status and prospects of the energy efficiency sector in the country.
Public Gas Corporation of Greece (DEPA) was the lead sponsor of the workshop.
All presentations will shortly be available to all workshop participants and IENEmembers through a special micro site currently under preparation.
