Recently the Thessaloniki based Federation of Industries of Greece (SVE) and the IENE established a working relationship in order to discuss energy issues related to industry, especially of concern to SVE’s wide industrial membership, to be found all over northern Greece. As energy transition evolves most industries are facing crippling electricity and gas charges and hence they are anxious to search for ways to reduce their energy costs.
As part of this newly established cooperation SVE and IENE joined forces and on June 13 they convened in Thessaloniki, at the Met Hotel, an afternoon colloquium to discuss the whole range of issues related to industrial energy prices. The meeting kickstarted with opening remarks by the Chairwoman of SVE, Mrs. Loukia Saranti and by the Chairman of IENE Mr.Costis Stambolis. They both stressed the need for an active and focused dialogue between industry representatives, energy advisers and the Ministry of Environment and Energy in Athens. In this context the presence,via online connection, of the Minister for Energy Mr.Stavros Papasgavrou and the Deputy Minister Mr.Nikos Tsafos proved fortuitous. Comments were contributed by both at various stages of the meeting.
A very lively round table discussion followed, preceded by individual presentations by prominent representatives from Greece’s energy and industry sector. Speakers included Mr. Antonis Kontoleon, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Hellenic Union of Industrial Consumers of Energy (UNICEN), Prof. Pandelis Biskas, Chairman of IENE’s Scientific Council, Dr. Christoforos-Anestis Zoumas, Chief Operations Officer at the Energy Exchange Group (EnEx), as well as Mr. Andreas Petropouleas, IENE Partner and Chairman of IENE’s Electricity Committee and Energy Management Director at Elpedison. The discussion was expertly moderated by Ms. Chryssa Liaggou, a well-respected journalist of the “Kathimerini” daily newspaper.
All presentations and related material will shortly become available through a special microsite. (to be announced)
