The inseparable connection between the energy sector, economy and development in Greece and Southeast Europe was highlighted in the annual National Conference "Energy and Development", which was organized by the Institute of Energy for SE Europe (IENE) under the auspices of the Ministry of Environment and Energy, on 1-2 December 2021 in Athens.
The inseparable connection between the energy sector, economy and development in Greece and Southeast Europe was highlighted in the annual National Conference "Energy and Development", which was organized by the Institute of Energy for SE Europe (IENE) under the auspices of the Ministry of Environment and Energy, on 1-2 December 2021 in Athens. The Conference, which celebrated 25 years of continuing organization was held in hybrid form at the Divani Caravel Hotel, with the participation of more than 78 distinguished speakers and panelists from Greece and abroad. These included representatives from government and political parties, the academic community, executives of international organizations and companies, while important interventions were be made by renowned experts and reputable analysts.
The conference’s main theme was “Energy Transition and Achievable Solutions- Global and Regional Perspectives” and provided the opportunity for a comprehensive examination of the current energy crisis. Energy suppliers, traders and consumers actively participated in discussions and all relevant issues were hotly debated. In this context the key role of natural gas and renewables but also of nuclear power were discussed at length. The presentation of IEA’s World Energy Outlook 2021 by IEA’s senior modeler Andreas Petropoulos proved a real bonus.
Indicatively, the conference’s speakers included, among others: the Minister of Development and Investment, Adonis Georgiadis, the President of RAE, Dr. Athanasios Dagoumas, the General Secretary of Energy and Mineral Raw Materials, Alexandra Sdoukou, the Head of Environment of SYRIZA, Socratis Famellos. The Minister of Environment and Energy, Costas Skrekas, also addressed the conference via video message. Former Energy Ministers John Maniatis and George Stathakis actively participated in different sessions.
Several organizations and companies were represented at high level. Speakers included Dr. Bassam Fattouh, Director, Oxford Institute for Energy Studies, Mr. Tim Yeo, Chairman, The New Nuclear Watch Institute (NNWI), Ms. Liana Gouta, Group Director Energy Policy & International Affairs, Mr. Ahmet Türkoğlu, CEO, Turkish Energy Exchange (EPIAS), Mr. Konstantin Konstantinov, CEO, ΙΒΕΧ, Mr. Milos Mladenovic, Managing Director, SEEPEX, Ms. Mariana Liakopoulou, Markets and Policy Associate, EFET, Mr. William Polen, Senior Director, United States Energy Association, Mr. Slavtcho Neykov, Chairman of the Board of Managers, Energy Management Institute, Dr. James Watson, Secretary General, EUROGAS, Prof. Andrey Konoplyanik, Adviser to Director General, Gazprom export LLC, Co-chair from the Russian side of the Work Stream 2 “Internal Markets” of the Russia-EU Gas Advisory Council, Dr. Michael Thomadakis, Strategy & Development Division Director, National Natural Gas System Operator (DESFA), Ms. Boyana Achovksi, Secretary General, Gas Infrastructure Europe, (GIE) , Dr. Katerina Sardi, Country Manager for Greece, Energean, Prof. George Ioannou, CEO, ΕnEx Group, Mr. John Giarentis, Chairman and CEO, DAPEEP, Dr. Yurdakul Yigitguden Independent Energy Advisor and Former Coordinator of OSCE Economic and Environment Activities, Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, Mr. Gökhan Yardım, Partner and Manager, ADG Anadolu Naturalgas Consultancy and Trade Ltd., Dr. Gina Cohen, Lecturer and Consultant, Natural Gas Industry, Dr. Leo Drollas, Independent energy consultant, Dr. Narsi Ghorban, Secretary to the Environment and Energy Commission of the International Chamber of Commerce (Iran Committee) a.o.
The hybrid format of the conference meant that most attendees were online while a number of speakers, especially those from abroad also participated via zoom. Out of approximately 400 participants,including speakers, only 130 attended in person while the rest joined online. Some 8 speakers from abroad attended in person. In spite of its hybrid nature this major IENE event was well backed by organisations and the industry drawing 18 official sponsors and supporters and five media partners.
The main sponsors of the Conference included Hellenic Petroleum (ELPE), the Hellenic Energy Exchange, the Independent Power Transmission Operator S.A. (ADMIE) and law firm KG Law. The supporters were ENERGEAN, Elpedison, Mytilineos, Motor Oil Hellas, DESFA, Grant Thornton, DAPEEP and Ensco. Furthermore, the conference’s activities are supported by Sunlight, EssEnCon, GreenTop, Lamnidis Law, CSMED and Energy Live. While the communication sponsors included energia.gr, the newspaper Naftemporiki and naftemporiki.gr, the international Foreign Affairs Media and energypress.gr.
According to the government’s decision as published in State Gazette (5138 / 05.11.2021), participants with physical presence were only allowed those who had been fully vaccinated or had become ill in the last six months. They had to present a vaccination or illness certificate at the registration desk of the conference.
