The American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce and the Hellenic Association for Energy Economics, in collaboration with the U.S. Embassy in Greece and with the strategic support of the American think-tank Atlantic Council and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, are holding, for seventh consecutive year, the Southeast Europe Energy Forum (SEEF2023). The Forum will take place on Friday, September 8, 2023, at "The MET" hotel in Thessaloniki, one day before the official opening ceremony of the Thessaloniki International Fair. The Southeast Europe Energy Forum has been established as a premier institutional event in the Energy sector and has left its footprint on the developments related to the sector in Southeast Europe, leveraging the Hellenic-American Chamber of Commerce strong positioning and collaborations and reflecting the notable presence of the US in the Greek institutional and business ecosystem. The ever-changing global economic and business environment is shaping the roadmap for the next day and generating new conditions in international markets. Investments in the energy sector is a strategic priority for national and European policies, as they contribute to both the economic development of countries and the protection of the environment itself. Energy security and adaptation to the conditions created by the environmental crisis hold a central place in the country's strategy, promoting an integrated approach across various sectors. At the same time, Europe, in its effort to ensure self-sufficiency, is called upon to find effective solutions while maintaining its commitment to net-zero energy policies that have been adopted and avoiding potential environmental burdens. On the other side of the Atlantic, the United States stand ready to contribute decisively to Europe's energy supply and meet its medium and long-term energy needs by exporting American liquefied natural gas (LNG). In this complex geopolitical environment, within the framework of the Southeast Europe Energy Forum (SEEF2023), the focus will be on a series of axes with significant importance and potential impact, such as:
New FSRUs in Alexandroupoli and Corinth contribute to enhancing Greece's role as an energy hub. The adoption of hydrogen and biomethane further enhances sustainability in natural gas networks. Concurrently, research in the hydrocarbon sector is entering new phases.
The integration of renewable energy sources into the energy policy constitutes a critical step towards a green transition. The goal is to increase the installed capacity of renewable energy sources to 28 GW by 2030, with 80% of electricity generation coming from RES. New technologies such as offshore wind and green hydrogen production contribute to achieving these objectives.
Greece plays an important role in the wider region of Southeast Europe, with large-scale network and infrastructure projects either planned or already underway. The interconnection with Italy, Albania, North Macedonia and Turkey upgrades the Greek role, while the Greece-Cyprus-Israel and Greece-Egypt interconnections are expected to increase energy security in the wider region. Greece, after all, is a strategic gateway for energy flows to South-Eastern Europe: TAP, IGB, LNG at Revithoussa and new FSRUs.
The LNG from the United States constitutes a significant portion of natural gas imports to Greece. Moreover, investments in onshore and offshore wind farms demonstrate the U.S.' commitment to green energy. The US government also supports energy investments in Greece through various initiatives such as the US-Greece Strategic Energy Partnership. This partnership aims to promote cooperation between the two countries in the energy sector and support investment in the development of new energy projects.
Bilateral PPAs can provide the security of stable prices in the long term and assist the integration of renewable energy, while the role of citizens and local society is crucial for a fair, participatory and climate-neutral future. The New Financial Instruments, such as the - Partnership Agreement 2021-2027, the Recovery and Resilience Fund, the Just Transition Fund and the Decarbonisation Fund for the Greek Islands, will finance among others, hydrogen and renewable energy projects, carbon capture and storage infrastructure.
Investments in clean energy continue to rise, aiming to reduce dependence on third countries and promote a circular economy. The year 2022 marked a record in the installation of new renewable energy sources with a capacity of 340 GW – accounting for 30% of the total global electricity generation. During the conference proceedings, significant figures with knowledge and experience in energy matters, including politicians, entrepreneurs, market leaders, bankers, energy experts, and analysts, will participate. Their goal is to highlight and present all geopolitical developments and prospects of the dynamic energy sector in the broader region of Southeastern Europe. 👉 Information about the Conference can be obtained here.
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