The Institute is pressing ahead with its plans for the preparation of the next edition of its major study on the entire South East European energy sector. Entitled “SEE Energy Outlook 2025/2026” this major undertaking is bringing together some of the region’s top minds who will work together on various parts of the study
More than 25 experts from academic institutions, from government and from major energy companies but also established independent energy consultants, in addition to IENE’s inhouse research team, will be contributing in this ground breaking study.
The “SEE Energy Outlook 2025” is a comprehensive study which deals with the current energy situation in the SE European region but also covers the energy market outlook and prospects from now until 2050. The study covers all 15 countries in the region: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Greece, Hungary, Israel, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia and Türkiye.
This new edition of the “Outlook” report will also provide energy information on a number of peripheral countries including Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Moldova, Ukraine, Slovakia, Austria, Azerbaijan and Italy which are economically and geographically related to the SE European core countries.
This is the fourth time that such a major study has been undertaken by IENE with the first one published in 2011. The study contains substantial comparative data, detailed sectorial analyses, and energy demand and production estimates and projections. Following a series of introductory chapters, where the economic and political background together with the key energy policy issues of South-East Europe are presented, the study then examines the impact of the regional integration process, energy transition, and energy competition issues on SE Europe’s energy prospects. EU’s decarbonization policy and the Green Deal are also discussed at length in relation to needed infrastructure investment and energy security requirements.
The study comprises the following main parts: the economies of the region, energy policy, energy security, country surveys including legal framework, energy transition and decarbonization, energy infrastructure, energy demand and supply projections for 2050 (oil and gas, electricity, renewables, energy efficiency), energy technologies and energy investment outlook.
The energy sector analysis focuses on the region’s main energy drivers such as petroleum (upstream, midstream, downstream), natural gas, power generation, renewables, energy efficiency, co-generation, hydrogen and environmental protection.
Another important aspect of the study concerns the energy interconnections in South East Europe, the Black Sea and the Caspian region for oil, gas and electricity. The major energy projects of the region (oil and gas pipelines, gas storage, nuclear plants, hydrocarbon exploration projects, refineries, RES installations and energy efficiency projects) are described and fully analysed.
The study also covers latest developments in the energy market liberalisation process both for electricity and gas, market competition, and also examines the broader aspects of environmental protection and the energy security situation in South East Europe.
Furthermore, the 2025 "Outlook" includes an examination of energy technologies suitable and appropriate for implementation in the SE European region with potential for local manufacturing. The study concludes with an in-depth analysis and projections of the investment potential for different fuels and per country but also assesses the business opportunities of the region’s vibrant energy sector.
The anticipated publication date for the “SEE Energy Outlook 2025/2026” is May 2025. This flagship IENE report is backed by a number of major energy companies active in the region. Initial sponsors include Helleniq Energy, DEPA Commercial, Greece’s leading gas company, and EnsCo, a major energy trader active all over Europe. Interest from potential sponsors has been expressed from energy companies in Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia and Turkey as well as from the UK and France.
