Who steers energy policy in Serbia and in the Balkans?
Can we expect serious integration or at least cooperation between the energy sector companies in the Balkan countries? These, along with other significant topics will be discussed at The Third Annual Conference: The Future of the Energy Sector in the Balkans, which will be organised by Ekonomist Media Group on April 15, 2009.
The energy sector in Serbia has undergone several crucial but dramatic changes over the last several years, of which the sale of the Serbian Oil Industry (NIS) seems to be the most important. Furthermore, validation of the agreement with Gazprom on the construction of the South Stream pipeline and the completion of the Banatski Dvor underground gas storage facility are still expected to be finalized. After years of waiting, the tender for the development and completion of new thermal power stations was finally announced. At the same time, the development of new hydro-energetic capacities at the Drina, Morava and Nišava is also announced.
- Whether and to what extent these projects will influence the change in the Serbian and regional energy climate?
- Can we expect serious integration or at least cooperation between the energy sector companies in the Balkan countries?
- Are renewable energy sources really a new chance on the path towards energy independence?
The Third Annual Conference: The Future of the Energy Sector in the Balkans will gather the representatives of Serbian governement and regional governments, domestic and foreign investors, as well as the representatives of the biggest national and foreign companies from the energy field who will try to provide answers to these and many other important questions.
Biljana Stepanović, General Manager, Ekonomist Media Group
9:05 – 9:20 Key note speech:
PetarŠkundrić, Minister, Serbian Ministry of Mining and Energy
9:20 – 10:40 Panel 1: Who steers energy policy in Serbia and in the Balkans – strategy for developing the energy sector in Serbia, regional market and cooperation within SEE energy initiatives
Can the countries of South East Europe become less energy dependent and to what extent? Do they have sufficient energy supplies for growth and development? What is the future of regional energy projects?
Moderator: Bratislav Čeperković, Executive Manager, Electric Power Industry of Serbia
Panelists:
PetarŠkundrić, Minister, Serbian Ministry of Mining and Energy
Ljubo Maćić, President of Serbian Energy Agency Council and President of Regulatory Committee of Energy Community (ECRB) SEE
Dragomir Marković, Director General, Electric Power Industry of Serbia
Nina Grall, Energy Community SEE, Austria
George Vashakmadze, Director, Corporate Development, GUEU White Stream
Srđan Mihajlović, Director General, JP Transnafta
Tomaž Orešić, Marketing Director for Central and Western Europe, EFT GROUP
10:40 – 11:10 Coffee Break
11:10 – 12:40 Panel 2: Regional electricity market in South East Europe – liberalization, ownership transformations
The EU Energy Community was established on October 25, 2005 upon the signing of the Energy Community Treaty. After which, the legal framework for the establishment of a regional market for energy substances was created. Electricity, gas and as of December 11, 2008 oil as well, became part of the total SEE electricity market integrated in the EU. In the energy sector, EU standards, directives and norms are compulsory for all ECT signatory countries. Opening the markets, restructuring energy companies, introducing regulatory norms and necessary improvements in efficiency in the energy sector are only some of the challenges, together with various changes in ownership relations, facing the energy sector of South Eastern European countries. What will countries in the region and potential investors have to deal with in the future?
Moderator: Bratislav Čeperković, Executive Manager, Electric Power Industry of Serbia
Panelists:
Nikola Rajaković, State Secretary, Serbian Ministry of Mining and Energy
Bohdan Malaniuk, Deputy Director of the Mergers and Acquisition Section, CEZ GROUP
Stevan Dimitrijević, Partner, Karanović & Nikolić Law Office
12:40 – 13:10 Coffee Break
13:10 – 14:40 Panel 3: Energy efficiency, security and renewable sources
Are the gas crisis, which took place at the beginning of the year, cold households and plants that were forced to halt production, sufficient motive for the Balkan countries to start seriously considering the use of alternative energy sources and to use current resources more efficiently?
Moderator: Dušan Vasiljević, Independent International Eexpert in Environmental Policy
Panelists:
BojanKovačić, Deputy Director, Serbian Agency for Energy Efficiency
MarkTribble, Regional Manager, WeBSECLF
Slađana Jelić, Deputy Director of Corporate Banking Division, Banca Intesa
Ivan Simić, Expert Associate, SIEMENS d.o.o. Srbija
Danilo Drndarski, Executive Director, Loger
Slobodan Ružić, General Manager, Energy Saving Group
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