The possible repercussions on energy developments in SE Europe, and particularly in Greece, of the increasingly strained antagonism between the USA and Russia over the control of the supply sources and transport routes of energy raw materials were at the centre of the questions raised and the exchange of opinions that dominated the one-day conference on «Energy and Foreign Policy» organized by ΙΕΝΕ and which marked the beginning of the deliberations of the 2nd Energy Week.
Held in the Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Kranidiotis Auditorium, the half-day seminar was attended by government officials, experts, consultants, diplomats and representatives of energy organizations. Conveying the salutation of Foreign Affairs' minister, Ms. Dora Bakoyanni, the ministry's secretary general Mr. Theodoros Skylakakis referred, among others, to the repercussions of the international economic crisis on climate change, stressing that the narrowing availability of capital and the increasing cost of funds could impede the transition to a «low carbon» economy by freezing the necessary investments.
Addressing the members of IENE's conference, Mr. Konstantinos Moussouroulis, secretary general of the Hellenic Ministry of Transport, expressed the opinion that the inability of crude oil, natural gas, but also renewable energy sources (RES), to ensure energy sufficiency under the present conditions will shift interest towards coal and nuclear power. The extremely fluid international energy landscape does not allow room for permanent choices as regards the optimum energy mix of fuels, Mr. Moussouroulis stressed, adding that no quantitative restrictions can be set for investments that contribute to reducing emissions and protecting the environment. The Ministry of Development is open to dialogue, even regarding «taboo» issues, the secretary general told the audience. «Our priority,» he added, «concerns investments in sun and wind. However, nobody can be against conducting a dialogue on nuclear power in the context of a consensual energy policy,» he concluded. For her part, Ms. Elissavet Loverdou, special secretary of the Ministry of Development, presented the initiatives of this body's leadership. Among others, she referred to the Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline project, which will start operating by end-2012. Ms. Loverdou stressed the fact that fundamental principles are being adhered to, such as respecting the environment and the region's cultural heritage, supporting the local economy, and applying strict standards as regards security regulations and measures for dealing with emergency incidents.
The conference's members wholeheartedly agreed on the need for a Common European Energy Strategy, a subject broached by IENE's chairman, Mr. Konstantinos Maniatopoulos in his address. It is important for each country, and for Greece in particular, that international developments affecting the security of its energy supply should be analyzed correctly so that it might adapt its moves on the international chessboard in such a way that its national interests are served, Mr. Spyros Paloyannis, IENE's deputy chairman, stressed in his speech.
Greece meets all the criteria regarding the markets' secure supply thanks to the pipelines that will shortly traverse its territory, pointed out Mr. Christos Dimas, managing director of HELPE-THRACE SA, in his speech while analyzing the fierce competition between geopolitical and commercial interests in the wider region. He added that the Burgas-Alexandroupolis, South Stream, Helleno-Turkish and Helleno-Italian pipelines offer the country a greater security.
In his contribution, Dr. Konstantinos Filis, head of KERENE at the International Relations Institute of the Panteios University, stated that Greece's intense activation needs to be pursued towards other hydrocarbon-rich countries as well, with which the discovery of a common denominator does not constitute a prohibitive target. It is worth examining the possibility of reaching an understanding directly, without intercessors, with countries that could potentially contribute favourably to our country's energy differentiation goal.
In his extensive speech, Mr. Thanos Dokos, general director of the Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy (ELIAMEP) referred to the need of pursuing greater imports of natural gas from Azerbaijan and liquid gas from Algeria, so as to reduce Greece's dependency on Russia, which presently covers 77% of the country's energy needs.
Very interesting contributions were also made by HE Mr. Peter Poptchev, Bulgaria’s ambassador at large and by HE Mr. Sverre Stub, the Norwegian ambassador to Greece. Mr. Poptchev stressed the importance of energy policy at regional level, while Mr. Stub described Norway’s energy policy, which has direct bearings on European energy supply. Furthermore, Mr. Stub referred to the joint Norwegian–Swiss effort for the construction of the TAP gas pipeline, which is destined to bring gas from the Caspian region to Italy via Greece.
For his part, Dr. Evangelos Lekatsas, chairman of the Hellenic Electricity Transmission Operator (HTSO) concentrated on the new electricity interconnections that are being promoted with Bulgaria and Italy, while stressing that an important objective for the near future is that of strengthening the cohesion of the electricity system in the Balkans, which has a direct influence on Greece's supply security.
Procedures for the South Stream pipeline project are progressing at a brisk rate, informed Mr. Konstantinos Maroulis, general director of the Hellenic Gas Transmission System Operator (DESFA). Following the signature of the inter-state agreement, DESFA and GAZPROM EXPORT have set in place project management committees towards establishing the 50%-50% joint venture company. Other working groups have also been formed, and namely the one in charge of the system's hydraulic calculations.
Lastly, Mr. Thomadakis, deputy chairman of Greece's Regulatory Energy Authority (RAE), stressed that large-scale investments will also be necessary in the near future for connecting pipelines between countries and not only transit pipelines. He also pointed out that the existing pipeline infrastructure needs to be fully exploited. «The aim is for Greece to become an energy bridge for Europe, based on market rules,» he added.