Following an initiative by the Institute of Energy for SE Europe (IENE), the first ever Greek-Turkish Energy Forum took place on April 25, 2024, in Istanbul. More than 30 top executives from leading energy companies and organizations in Greece and Türkiye, along with several distinguished academics and experts from both countries, participated in this unique eventFollowing an initiative by the Institute of Energy for SE Europe (IENE), the first ever Greek-Turkish Energy Forum took place on April 25, 2024, in Istanbul. More than 30 top executives from leading energy companies and organizations in Greece and Türkiye, along with several distinguished academics and experts from both countries, participated in this unique event.
The aim of the Forum was to underscore the significant importance of the energy sector in bilateral economic and commercial relations, in the light of efforts by the governments of Greece and Turkey to establish a "positive agenda" between the two countries. The timing of the "Greek-Turkish Energy Forum" was opportune, as it sought to leverage cooperation opportunities for energy businesses in both countries.
Furthermore, Greece and Turkey have been engaged in collaborative energy projects since the early 2000’s. Presently, they are partners in various strategic energy projects, including electricity, natural gas, renewable energy sources (RES), electricity transmission, and energy exchanges. Over the last 15 years, important natural gas and electricity interconnections have become operational across the Greece-Turkey border at Evros, facilitating cross-border energy exchanges in both markets. Additionally, cooperation efforts are being pursued between the Energy Exchanges of both countries - EPİAŞ in Istanbul and HENEX in Athens - in areas of mutual interest. Moreover, both countries play significant roles in shaping the energy agenda in Southeast Europe and beyond.
The Athens based Institute of Energy for Southeast Europe (IENE) is one of the staunch supporters of a closer energy relationship between the two countries, as it has repeatedly invited Turkish businessmen and energy industry experts to the various events it has held in Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia and beyond, in the last 15 years or so.
The event commenced with a welcome address by Mr. Costis Stambolis, Chairman and Executive Director of IENE, followed by opening remarks from Mr. Gokhan Yardim, Managing Partner of Turkish ADG Anadolu Natural Gas Consultancy Trade Ltd. and Senior Partner of IENE in Turkey. Subsequently, introductory remarks were made by Mr. Michalis Christidis, Ambassador-at-Large and former Secretary General of the Permanent International Secretariat (PMS) of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization (BSEC). Then Dr. Halil Yurdakul Yigitgüden, independent energy consultant and former Coordinator of Economic and Environmental Activities of the OSCE, who is also a Distinguished Fellow of IENE presented an overview of Turkey’s energy sector and the key issues it faces as it continues to expand. Following that, Prof. Athanasios Dagoumas, President of the Greek Waste, Energy, and Water Regulatory Authority (RAAEF), presented an overview of Greece’s energy market and the challenge it confronts in its path towards energy transition.
The second session, chaired by Dr. Halil Yurdakul Yigitgüden, focused on the energy markets and electricity systems of both countries. Speakers included Mr. Taha Meli Arvas, CEO of the Istanbul Energy Exchange (EPİAŞ), Ms. Efi Milioni, Head of the Market Analysis Department of Elpedison (online), Mr. Deniz Coşkun, Deputy General Manager of the Turkish Electricity Transmission Company (TEİAŞ), and Dr. Stelios Kromlidis, Director of the Business Activities Department of SEleNe CC (Southeast Electricity Network Coordination Center) in Thessaloniki. The session featured presentations from the speakers followed by a discussion. Additionally, video messages from the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources of Turkey, Mr. Alparslan Bayraktar, and the Minister of Energy and Environment of Greece, Mr. Theodore Skylakakis, were shown, with both ministers commending IENE's initiative in organizing the first Greek-Turkish Energy Forum.
Natural gas markets were the focus of the third session of the 1st "Greek-Turkish Energy Forum," chaired by Mr. Christos Dimas, Deputy Chairman of IENE and Chair of the Scientific Committee on Geopolitics & Energy of IENE, and co-chaired by Mr. Gokhan Yardim. Speakers included Dr. Michalis Thomadakis, Director of Strategy and Development at DESFA, Mr. Serkan Hotoglu, Member of the Board and General Manager of OMV Türkiye, and Mr. Ahmet Polatkan, Head of the Trade Department at the Turkish SOCAR. Following their presentations, a discussion ensued, during which the speakers addressed questions from the audience.
Renewable energy sources (RES) were the focal point of the subsequent session, chaired by Dr. Mustafa Tiris, General Manager of TDinamik Energy and Vice President of DEİK Energy Council (Energy Business Council), and Partner of IENE. Speakers included Dr. Ibrahim Erden, President of the Turkish Wind Energy Association (TÜREB) and CEO of Renecore Energy, Türkiye, Mr. Tolga Murat Özdemir, President of the Solar Energy Industry Association (GENSED) of Turkey, Mr. Nikos Stamou, Director of Investment Promotion for the Energy, Environment, and Services sectors at Enterprise Greece, and Mr. Stelios Loumakis, President of the Greek Association of Photovoltaic Energy Producers (SPEF). The session explored investment prospects for various forms of RES in Greece and Turkey.
Energy efficiency and hydrogen were the main topics of the fifth and final session of the event, chaired by Mr. Costas Theophylaktos, Secretary General and President of the Energy Efficiency Committee of IENE. The speakers included Dr. Oguz Can, President of the Energy Efficiency Association of Turkey and CEO of Teksan Company, Dr. Füsun Tut Haklıdir, Director of Geothermal Research and Innovation Technologies at Zorlu Energy Group, Mr. Nikos Sofianos, Energy Consultant and Chairman of the RES Committee and Member of the Board of Directors of IENE, Dr. İskender Gokalp from the Marmara Research Center, State Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜBİTAK), and Dr. Nikolaos Koukouzas, Director of Research at the National Center for Research & Technological Development - EKETA (online).
The 1st "Greek-Turkish Energy Forum" concluded with an open discussion on fostering closer business ties in the energy sector between Greece and Turkey, chaired by Mr. Costis Stambolis, Chairman of IENE, and Dr. Mustafa Tiris, Vice President of DEİK Energy Council. A farewell reception followed, attended by the speakers and the audience.
Sponsors of the 1st ''Greek – Turkish Energy Forum'', convened by IENE, were the Istanbul Energy Exchange (EPİAŞ), the Hellenic Natural Gas System Operator (DESFA), and Enterprise Greece, while Supporters were the companies Maxxen and Tdinamik. Solis Hub was responsible for the on-site organization of the event. Communication sponsor was the energy portal Energia.Gr.
