With more than 70 participants and a well-chosen group of 12 high-caliber speakers and panelists, a half-day conference on “Energy Transition in South East Europe - Policy and Investment Challenges”, co-organized by IENE and the Romania Energy Center (ROEC) in Bucharest on October 16, proved to be a big success. With more than 70 participants and a well-chosen group of 12 high-caliber speakers and panelists, a half-day conference on "Energy Transition in South East Europe - Policy and Investment Challenges”, co-organized by IENE and the Romania Energy Center (ROEC) in Bucharest on October 16, proved to be a big success. The speakers covered the burning energy issues of the region, focusing on Romania, Bulgaria, Greece, the West Balkans and with useful input from the European Commission and from Denmark.
The topics covered in this highly-focused colloquium included policy and regulatory issues, Renewable Energy Sources, district heating, the role of nuclear energy in the current and future regional energy mix, small-scale LNG applications in Romania and the broader Danube region, improving energy efficiency across SE Europe and the socio-economic impact from pursued Energy Transition policies in Romania, Greece and the SE European region. An assessment of anticipated medium- and long-term energy investments for both Greece and Romania was also contributed.
From IENE's side, apart from Chairman and Executive Director Mr. Costis Stambolis, Mr. Dimitris Mezartasoglou, Head of Research, and IENE's partner and Chairman of the Institute's Energy Efficiency Committee Mr. Costas Theofylaktos, participated as speakers, while IENE's founding partner and ex-chairman Dr. John Desypris chaired the first session of the conference. Ms. Eugenia Gusilov, ROEC's director, and the driving force of the conference chaired the second session and contributed one of the keynote presentations. Furthermore, the following speakers actively participated in the conference: Mr. Jan Christoph Nill (European Commission, DG Clima), Mr. Teodor Chirica (President FORATOM Europe), Mr. Lars Gullev (CEO, VEKS & vice chairman of IEA Executive Committee for District Heating and Cooling, IEA ExCo DHC), Ms. Otilia Nutu (Energy expert, Expert Forum), Mr. Emil Negut (COO, LNG Romania) and Mr. Andrei Covatariu (Institutional Affairs, Enel).
It is worth noting that ENEL Green Power was the event's main supporter with the European Commission Representative Office in Bucharest contributing the conference facilities. IENE is already in the process of preparing a dedicated microsite, where all the conference material will be available (i.e. photo gallery, presentations of speakers and video of the event).
