As the date of the Forum approaches a number of international organizations and major energy companies have confirmed their participation and support for this unique regional event. Vienna based international and regional organizations including the Energy Community ,the Organization of Oil Exporting Countries (OPEC),the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe(OSCE) are some of the major organizations which are actively supporting IENE's event in the Austrian capital with senior staff participating as key note speakers and panelists. Large energy groups including Italy's top electricity company ENEL, the Hellenic Petroleum, SE Europe's leading petrochemicals group, IPTO, Greece's independent transmission operator and the nascent Hellenic Energy Exchange (HEnEx) are sponsoring the Forum. Another important company, legal firm KG Law, Greece's largest law firm and one of the biggest in SE Europe, is also lending its weight behind the Forum as it is one of its major sponsors.As the date of the Forum approaches a number of international organizations and major energy companies have confirmed their participation and support for this unique regional event. Vienna based international and regional organizations including the Energy Community ,the Organization of Oil Exporting Countries (OPEC),the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe(OSCE) are some of the major organizations which are actively supporting IENE's event in the Austrian capital with senior staff participating as key note speakers and panelists. Large energy groups including Italy's top electricity company ENEL, the Hellenic Petroleum, SE Europe's leading petrochemicals group, IPTO, Greece's independent transmission operator and the nascent Hellenic Energy Exchange (HEnEx) are sponsoring the Forum. Another important company, legal firm KG Law, Greece's largest law firm and one of the biggest in SE Europe, is also lending its weight behind the Forum as it is one of its major sponsors.
The Vienna Energy Transition Forum is bringing together some of the most progressive energy thinkers from across Europe in order to discuss the critical energy and environmental issues and how these can be tackled as the region enters a decarbonisation phase in line with EU goals and international commitments. The Forum is convened by the Institute of Energy for SE Europe (IENE) in partnership with Energy Center Europe (ECE) and will take place in Vienna on June 6/7 (http://www.iene.eu/en/congress/17/vienna-energy-transition-forum).
A number of prominent authorities from international energy companies, government bodies and academia will address this two day high level meeting. A representative cross section of speakers includes Tom Van Ierland from the European Commission, Janez Kopac, Energy Community, Abderrezak Benyoucef, OPEC, Tim Yeo, The New Nuclear Watch Institute (NNWI), Daniel Kroos, Energy Security Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), Prof. Pantelis Capros, Head of E3Modelling and advisor to the European Commission, Dr. Aliki Van Heek, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Michael Woltran, OMV, Prof. Andrey Konoplyanik, Gazprom Export and Russian State Gubkin Oil & Gas University, Chris Walters, Gas Strategies, Gerd Pollhammer, SIEMENS, Claudia Brânduș, ENEL, Gottfried Steiner, Central European Gas Hub AG, Eugenia Gusilov, ROEC, Dr. Yurdakul Yigitguden, Independent Energy Consultant and Former Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environment Activities, Nick Butler, Chair, King’s Policy Institute, King’s College, London, Liana Gouta, Hellenic Petroleum SA, Dr. Charles Ellinas, Atlantic Council, Prof. Reinhard Haas, Technical University of Vienna, John Roberts, Energy Security Specialist and many others.
Issues such as the need to decarbonise power generation and yet maintain reliable base load, the role of gas as a fuel of choice and the need for further renewables penetration under economically competitive terms will be hotly debated in the Vienna Energy Transition Forum. EU 's decarbonisation agenda and Energy Transition roadmap will come under scrutiny as a bundle of factors ranging from electricity market integration and grid performance to the slow pace of implementing vital gas interconnections and the role of nuclear power as a realistic alternative capable of delivering emission free power generation, will also be addressed. Another important topic which is often sidelined in Energy Transition fora but which will be fully discussed in the Vienna meeting, is the constructive role that the Oil & Gas industry can play during Energy Transition. A new energy agenda for CE and SEE is in the offing and this will form a focal point of discussions at the Forum..
