SOUTHEAST EUROPE ENERGY FORUM 2024

The American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce and the Hellenic Association for Energy Economics, in cooperation with the U.S. Embassy to Greece and in strategic partnership with the Atlantic Council and the Global Energy Institute of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, are organizing the 8th Southeast Europe Energy Forum (SEEF2024) on Friday, September 6, 2024, at the MET Hotel in Thessaloniki, Greece.

The energy sector is undergoing significant development shaped by geopolitical volatility, high energy prices, increasingly severe impacts of climate change, and the explosion of breakthrough technologies dominating our world today. In addition, the continuous escalation of the war conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza trigger major concerns over the EU’s energy security. There has never been a more critical time for energy leaders and experts worldwide to unite and act as partners to deliberate on crucial energy issues, encourage cooperation, promote sustainable energy solutions throughout the region, and shape the regional and European energy future.

Greece is poised to emerge as a pivotal player in the Southeast European energy market. The completion of the second interconnection with Bulgaria, alongside the upcoming commercial operation of the FSRU in Alexandroupolis, marks important milestones towards this goal.

The Forum will address a diverse array of critical topics pivotal to the region’s energy future. Discussions will explore:

• Southeast Europe’s evolving energy landscape
• Regional collaboration, particularly between the U.S. and Southeast Europe
• Greece’s shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy
• The transformation of power grids to facilitate the green transition
• The significance of energy storage
• The role of new electricity market models
• The impact of soaring electricity prices on long-term investments
• The reshaping of the natural gas and interconnections status quo, and enhancing energy sovereignty and security, thus strengthening strategic energy cooperation
• The impact of the implementation of the EU ETS in the shipping sector – The move towards green shipping
• The transition to renewable energy sources (offshore wind, green hydrogen,  renewable gases) 
• SE Europe as an energy innovation hub.

Energy Ministers from SE European countries are expected to participate in a roundtable discussion on Southeast Europe and Eastern Mediterranean Region: Energy Cooperation towards Energy Security beyond borders, and the U.S. Ambassadors of the region will share their insights on The U.S. perspective on energy developments in the area.

Stay tuned for more updates!