The President of the Republic of Cyprus was the keynote speaker at the formal dinner of the "3rd Cyprus Energy Symposium”, on March 27. The Symposium, organized by the Institute of Energy for SE Europe (IENE) in co-operation with the Cyprus-based media company FMW - Financial Media Way, took place on March 27 -28, 2014, at the Hilton Park Hotel, in Nicosia under the auspices of the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), and focused on "The Role of Cyprus in the New European Energy Strategy”The President of the Republic of Cyprus was the keynote speaker at the formal dinner of the "3rd Cyprus Energy Symposium”, on March 27. The Symposium, organized by the Institute of Energy for SE Europe (IENE) in co-operation with the Cyprus-based media company FMW - Financial Media Way, took place on March 27 -28, 2014, at the Hilton Park Hotel, in Nicosia under the auspices of the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), and focused on "The Role of Cyprus in the New European Energy Strategy”.
President Anastasiadis stressed that both the construction of the onshore gas liquefaction terminal in Cyprus and the promotion of a new gas corridor from the southeastern Mediterranean to the European Union, are at the top of his government’s energy priorities. He also referred to the completion of the process of setting up and staffing of the two authorities of energy, the Cyprus Hydrocarbons Company (EYK) and the Natural Gas Public Company (DEFA) "by choosing, admittedly, personalities of long experience and knowledge who excelled in their field, "as he said.
According to Mr Anastasiadis, the existence of commercially exploitable hydrocarbon reserves in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of Cyprus and the wider energy plans for its establishment as a transit hub for energy products, are expected to make Cyprus a regional energy hub.
Referring to the Cyprus problem, the President of the Republic of Cyprus said that "our vision is that the establishment of peace and prosperity for all the peoples of the region and especially for the people of Cyprus will become a reality. The hydrocarbons can be the catalyst for solving the Cyprus problem. In a federation, both communities will have a right to the natural wealth of the country. Hydrocarbons and their utilization can become a factor of stability for the benefit of the Eastern Mediterranean and Cyprus can play a role in this. The solution of the Cyprus problem will maximize the benefits which may arise ".
From his part, the Chairman of IENE Mr. John Chatzivassiliadis stressed that sustainable energy systems should be developed in European countries, aiming at zero carbon emissions. The development of renewable energy, international electrical interconnections and further expansion of the network, are of particular importance for a sustainable and competitive market. Cyprus, along with the development of gas deposits, should invest in a balanced market, whereas, in compliance with RES European Directives, it should prioritize electrical connections with Greece and with Israel so as to overcome its energy isolation. Mr. Chatzivassiliadis also referred to the absence of both the electrical interface between Crete and mainland Greece as well as of the islands with the rest of the mainland. Within this context, he referred to a study prepared by IENE on electrical interconnections in Greece and to its proposal for creating a regional natural gas trading hub.
The CEO of FMW - Financial Media Way, Mr. Joseph Joseph, President of the CCCI, Mr. Phidias Pilides and the Managing Director of KPMG, Μr. AndreasK. Christofides, also adressed the Symposium.
The
President of the House of Representatives of Cyprus, Mr. Yiannakis Omirou, delivered
a keynote speech at the start of the second day (March 28) of the "Energy Symposium”, where he
stressed the need for the Republic of Cyprus to protect its own interests in
view of Turkey’s interference in the current hydrocarbon exploration programme
which could lead to a potential conflict.
It was a commonplace for all representatives of various Cypriot political parties
who addressed the Symposium that a careful energy planning and a suitable
exploitation of the current geostrategic circumstances are essential for
Cyprus. More specifically, the spokesperson of the Democratic Rally (DISY), Mr.
Prodromos Prodromou, stressed that the importance of the
hydrocarbon discoveries should not be underestimated, but it should not be
exaggerated either, noting that the Republic of Cyprus has to co-operate with
its EU partners on this matter. From his part, representing AKEL, the former
Minister of Energy, Mr. Neoklis Sylikiotis underlined that the possibility of
constructing a gas pipeline to Turkey is a major political mistake, noting that
the procedures for the Vasiliko liquefaction plans must accelerate.
According to
Mr. Markos Kyprianou, Deputy Chairman of the Democratic Party of Cyprus (DIKO),
the exploitation of the natural gas deposits in the country’s EEZ should not
depend on the future solution of the Cyprus’ problem, whereas Mr. Marinos
Sizopoulos, Deputy Chairman of the Movement for Social Democracy EDEK,
underlined that the advantages of the current geostrategic setting and,
especially, co-operation among Israel, Cyprus and Greece can hinder Turkey’s
aggressive plans.
The President
of Cyprus’ European Party, Mr. Dimitris Syllouris, stressed the need for a
"unified energy doctrine” for Cyprus, Greece and Israel, with the co-operation
of other interested countries, while the spokesperson of the Ecological and
Environmental Movement, Ms. Eleni Chryssostomou, called for stricter
environmental regulations regarding hydrocarbon explorations. Mr. Simos
Aggelidis, representing the Citizens Alliance, stressed that the Republic of Cyprus will
become a "hostage of Ankara” if a pipeline transporting Cyprus’ natural gas
passes through Turkish soil.
Cyprus’ ambition is to become, along with the entire East Mediterranean, an alternative energy source for Europe, according to the Minister of Energy, Commerce, Industry and Tourism of Cyprus, Mr. George Lakkotrypis, whereas the Minister of Agriculture, Natural Recourses and Environment of Cyprus Mr. Nicos Kouyialis, stressed the country’s priorities in the region regarding environmental protection in offshore drilling. In his speech, the Minister for the Environment, Energy and Climate Change of Greece, Mr. Yiannis Maniatis, underlined his conviction that the hydrocarbons of East Mediterranean can serve as a "catalyst” for the regional peace and stability.
According to the Chairman of the Cyprus Investment Promotion Agency, Mr. Christodoulos E. Angastiniotis, the country’s energy sector can provide Cyprus with unprecedented development and investment potential. However, the session’s last speaker, Mr. George Shammas, President of Cyprus Energy Regulatory Authority, criticized the lack of an integrated energy plan for the country.
This second session of the Symposium focused on the several aspects of the strategy to be pursued for the exploitation of natural gas fields in Cyprus and the Eastern Mediterranean and was co-ordinated by Petroleum Geologist Dr. Constantinos Nicolaou. The Chairwoman of Cyprus Hydrocarbons Company and Vice Rector for Academic Affairs of Cyprus University of Technology, Professor Toula Onoufriou, described the company’s tasks as well as its need for its staffing with professionals and high-level experts. The next speaker, Dr. Panos Papanastasiou, Dean at the University of Cyprus and Member of the Advisory Group of Experts on Hydrocarbon issues, provided an in-depth analysis of the technical features and cost of each possible solution for Cyprus natural gas regarding production, transportation to the international markets and refining.
Professor of Economic Geography and Geopolitics (Department of Turkish and Modern Asian Studies) at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Dr. Ioannis Mazis, described the current global geopolitical setting and the way it affects the East Mediterranean region. As Dr. Mazis noted, Turkey’s "neo-ottoman” strategy has been a failure, resulting in the country’s international isolation and mainly to its alienation from its old regional ally, Israel.
The deputy head of International Activities of Depa S.A. Greece, Μr. Dimitrios E. Manolis, referred to the company’s project for constructing an EastMed natural gas pipeline and the potential for its realization, stressing its feasibility and economic viability.
The Board Member of Energy & Natural Resources KPMG, Mr. Iacovos P. Ghalanos, referred to the potential of the whole energy sector in Cyprus thanks to the exploitation of the hydrocarbons, whereas the President of J&P – AVAX S.A. Energy & Industrial Projects S.A., Mr. Marios Patsalides, referred to his company’s international downstream activities in oil and gas. Furthermore, he expressed support for the Vasiliko natural gas liquefaction plan.
The President of Kassinis International Consulting Company, Solonas Kassinis, stressed that the potential oil deposits between Israel and Cyprus may amount up to 3 billion barrels, adding that energy investments in Cyprus will exceed $ 25 billion in the long term. Finally, he expressed his opposition to any plan for a pipeline transporting Cyprus’ gas to Europe through Turkey.
The Μanaging Director of Energy Practice Marsh Ltd London, Mr. Paul T. Nicholson, outlined his company’s activities, followed by the CEO of VTT Vasiliko Ltd, Mr. George Papanastasiou, who described the advantages that the construction of Vasiliko natural gas liquefaction plan will have for Cyprus and its geostrategic importance.
The third session, on the operation of the electricity market under the new liberalised regime, was co-ordinated by the Member of IENE’s Executive Committee, Mr. Costas Theophylaktos. The speakers, who included the General Manager of the EAC, Mr. Stelios Stylianou, the General Managment of WARTSILA Greece, Mr. George Livanos, the CERA Energy Consultant, Mr. Andreas Theophanous and the President of the Association of Free Energy Market Enterprises, Mr. Pavlos Liasides, described the problems, opportunities and challenges that the "acquis communautaire” will mean for the country’s economy in this very serious momentum.
Mr. Costas Theophylaktos, Ms. Anthi Charalambous, Director of the Cyprus Energy Agency, and Dr. Alexandros Charalampides, ENERMAP Founder and Assistant Professor of Cyprus University of Technology, speakers at the Symposium’s last session, on Co-generation, Renewable Energy Sources (RES) and Energy Efficiency, outlined, under the co-ordination of the Chairman of IENE Mr. John Chatzivassiliadis, the prospects for the development of these sectors in Cyprus as well as the trends following the introduction of relevant EU regulations towards 2030.
The Symposium’s sponsors included the Public Gas Corporation of Greece (DEPA) and Finland’s Wärtsilä ,a power generation solutions provider for marine and energy markets. The events supporters included the Energy Regulator of Cyprus (RAEK), the Electricity Authority of Cyprus and the J& P and Marsh companies. Cyprus Airways were the Symposium’s official airline, while the event’s media partners included the daily "Philelephtheros” and the "Cyprus Weekly” newspapers, Antenna CyprusTV Channel, as well as the siteswww.energia.gr and www.nomisma.com.cy .
