On April 25 the Institute is convening in Istanbul, the 1st Greek-Turkish Energy Forum in order to exchange views and experiences between Greek and Turkish energy executives and experts and also discuss potential cooperation in areas of common interestOn April 25 the Institute is convening in Istanbul, the 1st Greek-Turkish Energy Forum in order to exchange views and experiences between Greek and Turkish energy executives and experts and also discuss potential cooperation in areas of common interest. Preparations for the Forum are at an advanced stage with more than 22 speakers having already confirmed their participation. You may view here the Forum Programme and speaker profiles.
Over the last 20 years or 50 Greece and Türkiye have been working on joint energy projects. Today Greece and Türkiye are partners in a number of key energy areas including electricity, gas, renewables, energy transmission and energy trading. Over the last two decades Greece and Türkiye have established major electricity and gas interconnections across the Greek-Turkish border in Evros, Thrace, and have developed active cross border transmission and trading in electricity and gas. At the same time the two energy exchanges, EXIST in Istanbul and HENEX in Greece have developed close business ties and are engaged in an active dialogue.
In addition, a number of Greek companies have invested in Türkiye’ dynamic renewables sector and vice versa. As both countries are pursuing policies which favour greater penetration of RES into the electricity grid, cooperation in this field but also in energy efficiency could be mutually beneficial.
With major energy challenges lying ahead for this part of SE Europe, especially with regard to energy security and decarbonization, as Greece and Türkiye are committed to lower Green House Gas Emissions, a lot remains still to be done with both countries benefiting by forging even closer relationships in the energy sector. Building stronger electricity and gas interconnections between the two countries and forgoing closer cooperation between Greek and Turkish energy companies remain an important challenge.
IENE is an early promoter of a closer energy relationship between the two countries having invited on numerous occasions Turkish colleagues to its various events held in Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia and beyond, over the last 15 years or so. A major event with strong participation from Türkiye since its start is the annual “SEE Energy Dialogue”, currently in its 15th edition, which traditionally takes place in Thessaloniki in May or June.
In addition, the IENE has over the years developed close working links with several colleagues in Türkiye, active in the broad energy sector, with some of them regularly contributing to the Institute’s publications, seminars and conferences. Already, Türkiye along with other countries in the region, is represented in the Institute’s Board of Governors. As a further step towards the growing energy cooperation between the two countries, the IENE is convening a one-day Forum, in Istanbul on April 25, 2024, the first of its kind, in order for senior energy professionals from both countries to get acquainted with each other’s work, discuss cooperation and also exchange views on the major energy challenges currently faced by both Greece and Türkiye.
A steering committee which comprises Greek and Turkish energy experts, working under IENE’s umbrella, is in charge of the Forum programme and the organisation of the event. A number of major energy companies from both countries are supporting this important event. At this stage these include the Istanbul Energy Exchange (EPİAŞ), Greece’s National Natural Gas System Operator (DESFA) and Greece’s export promotion agency, “Enterprise Greece”.
