The “Energy & Development” Conference, organized by the Institute of Energy for South East Europe, kicked off works on Tuesday and it is expected to be completed Wednesday, at the Evgenidio Foundation in Athens. Kostis Stambolis, the chairman of IENE opened the conference.
George Peristeris, chairman of Terna Energy, which is the major sponsor of the conference, underlined in his speech the need of a stable energy strategy.
The government was represented by Miltiadis Varvitsiotis, who is in charge for the development sector in the leading New Democracy party.
The opposition was represented by Christos Protopapas who repeated the need for a long-term strategic energy planning by the government.
Among other speakers were Mihalis Thomadakis, deputy chairman of the Regulatory Energy Authority and the ambassador of the Energy Charter Secretariat Andre Marnier. Mr Marner presented the basic points of the European Union Energy Treaty.
Professor Pantelis Kapros presented the results of a research sponsored by the European Committed regarding alternative energy scenarios.
Dr Leo Drollas of Global Enargy Studies appeared cautious, in his speech, on OPEC’s recent decision to cut drastically oil production and predicted that more cuts will come next February-March.
Luc Werring of European Committee referred to the need for a common energy policy by the European Union.
Howard Chase of BP Europe, referred to the climate changes and the risks that emerge from them as they appear in the recent Stern report.
In the third session, titled “ Energy Strategy in Conditions of Uncertainty in Greece”, took part the CEO of Public Power Corp, Dimitris Maniatakis, the chairman of Terna Energy George Peristeris, the chairman of Greek Transmission System Operator Nikos Vasilakos, and professor Christos Zerefos chairman of the National Observatory.
Competition in the energy area and the single energy market in the European Union were the main topics of the third session.
Professor Kapros also presented a new research sponsored by IENE titled “The new landscape of Electricity Energy Market in Greece.”