IENE’s long established event, the “SE Europe Energy Dialogue”, this year is to be held on December 9 - 10, 2020. The worsening Covid-19 pandemic has necessitated the convening of the conference entirely in virtual format. This will be the 12th edition of the Energy Dialogue which was first launched in 2007 in Thessaloniki and has been held there on numerous occasions.
Notwithstanding this year’s organizational difficulties, the "Energy Dialogue” is more timely than ever in view of the fast changing environment in most European energy markets. These changes are bound to have profound implications for the region’s energy landscape and hence an all round discussion is more necessary than ever before.
The purpose of this regional forum, which is being organized by IENE under the auspices of the International Energy Agency (IEA) and with the support of other leading international and regional organizations and major energy companies, is to bring together high-ranking government officials, senior business executives and energy experts from all countries of S.E. Europe and beyond. The objective being the exchange of information and ideas, networking and the furthering of co-operation for the tackling of the increased global and regional energy and environmental challenges.
The special theme for this year’s SEEED, "In Search of a New Energy Direction”, is indicative of the fast changing economic and energy environment and the need to seek new directions in all facets of the energy sector. Energy transition emerges as a topic of prime importance for energy policy in the region and beyond. Furthermore, the "SE Europe Energy Dialogue” virtual gathering next December is highly topical given EU’s major drive to decarbonize and promote its ambitious New Green Deal and at the same time aim for full electricity and gas market integration.
Europe's - and SE Europe in particular - high dependence on fossil fuels, the current volatile energy pricing environment, the global concern for the development of viable alternatives and the need to promote further carbon free solutions emerge as key policy issues. As usual the "Energy Dialogue” will also cover the latest developments in the region’s evolving natural gas, electricity and RES markets and the ongoing energy partnerships with major oil and gas suppliers. Furthermore, IENE’s background paper paper on"SE Europe’s Changing Energy Direction”, to be posted in advance, will help guide the Dialogue’s proceedings.
The IENE by organising this year’s "SE Europe Energy Dialogue” in completely virtual format aspires to contribute once again to a high level discussion on the region’s key energy issues but also act as a facilitator for much needed co-operation between suppliers and consumers and thus promote the role of SE Europe as a vital East-West, North-South energy bridge. It is very much hoped that the new virtual format will actually help advance even further IENE’s agenda towards this direction.
