The 8th annual Central European Energy Conference will be held from November 23-25, 2014 in Bratislava, Slovakia. The conference is organized by research organizations and energy associations from Central Europe, in cooperation with government ministries from Slovakia and the European Commission. Over the three days, the conference will discuss topics including V4 regional energy cooperation, the World Energy Outlook, nuclear energy in the EU, energy efficiency and technologies, and integration of the V4 gas markets. It aims to evaluate energy security and policy issues in Central Europe within the context of EU energy and climate goals.

1. The 8th annual Central European Energy Conference is part of the Slovakia’s
Visegrad Four Presidency Program in 2014-2015. The conference will be held
under the auspices of Minister of Economy of the Slovak Republic Mr. Pavol Pavlis
Venue DoubleTree by Hilton (address: 27/A Trnavská cesta, Bratislava, 831 04)
Date 23 – 25 November 2014
Organizers Research Center of the Slovak Foreign Policy Association, Representation of the European Commission in Slovakia, and the Slovak Gas and Oil Association in cooperation with
the Ministry of Economy of the Slovak Republic, and the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic
Institutional Centre for Eastern Studies (Warsaw), Embassy of the United States in Bratislava, EUROPEUM
partners Institute for European Policy (Prague), Faculty of Social Studies, Masaryk University (Brno), Institute for Foreign Affairs and Trade (Budapest), Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (Berlin), Polish Institute of International Affairs (Warsaw), and Regional Centre for Energy Policy Research (Budapest)
General partner International Visegrad Fund (IVF)
Main partners Mega & Loman, Slovenské elektrárne, a. s., ENEL
Partners Association for the Use of Renewable and Alternative Resources (AVBAZ), Energy Cities, DataTherm, a. s., eustream, a. s., evan, IPESOFT, a. s., NAFTA, a. s., Slovenská elektrizačná prenosová sústava, a. s., Slovenský plynárenský priemysel, a. s., Slovnaft, a. s., Transpetrol, a. s.
Media partners energia.sk, energiaprevas.sk, energie-portal.sk, EurActiv.sk, International Issues & Slovak Foreign Policy Affairs, PRO-ENERGY magazín, SITA Slovenská tlačová agentúra, a. s., vEnergetike.sk, Zahraničná politika
Languages English and Slovak (with simultaneous interpretation)
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2. Description The purpose of the series of annual CEEC conferences is to evaluate and to discuss topical issues of both energy policy and energy security in Central Europe in the context of developing EU energy policy. The ambition of the CEEC conference is twofold: first, to bring together leading actors from the energy sector in the region of Central Europe, and second, to contribute to finding better solutions for the energy policy of the EU and the countries of Central Europe. The first annual CEEC conference was held in November 2007.
The aim of the 8th annual CEEC 2014 conference is to evaluate the achievements of the V4 regional energy cooperation and to discuss its further prospects. Furthermore, the conference aims to assess consequences of global energy trends on both energy security and economic competiveness of the EU and, in particular, the region of Central Europe. In addition, it will examine regulatory and business conditions for the development of nuclear energy in Central Europe in the context of the EU climate and energy policy.
It will pay special attention to lessons learned by the V4 countries from implementing the targets of the EU 2020 Framework in the field of energy efficiency and R&D, and finally, to the process of integrating the gas markets of the V4 countries, including security of supply. Dinner sessions of the conference will also include other specific topics that are central to present developments in the energy sector.
Main topics Panel I. V4 energy cooperation at work
Panel II. World Energy Outlook 2014
Panel III. Nuclear energy in the EU and Central Europe
Panel IV. Energy efficiency: R&D and new technologies
Panel V. V4 gas markets: integration and the security of supply
Dinner sessions DS I. Evidence and science based strategic decisions in energy policy
DS II. Gas security of Central Europe: consequences of Russo-Ukrainian crisis
DS III. Covenant of Mayors: local sustainable energy action plans are key to European energy security
DS IV. GLOBENVIRONMENTPAPER SLOVAKIA 2014: Low Carbon Slovakia 2014. Facts
and Challenges
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3. PROGRAMME
Sunday, 23 November 2014
Arrival of participants, accommodation
19:00 Welcome dinner (upon separate invitations)
Key note speech Gas security of Ukraine
by Andriy Kobolev, Chairman of the Board of Directors, NJSC Naftogaz of Ukraine
Chair Karel Hirman, Member of the Board, Slovak Foreign Policy Association
Q&A
Monday, 24 November 2014
7:45 – 8:45 Registration of participants
8:45 – 9:00 Official opening
Dušan Chrenek, Head of the Representation of European Commission in Slovakia
Alexander Duleba, Director, Research Center of the Slovak Foreign Policy Association
9:00 – 9:30 Introductory remarks
Robert Fico, Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic (tbc)
Q&A
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4. 9:30 – 10:45 Panel I. V4 energy cooperation at work: achievements and prospects
Energy sector has become the flagship field of the V4 regional cooperation during the last decade. In institutional terms, it evolved from the establishment of the Expert Working Group on Energy in 2002 into the creation of the High Level Group on Energy Security in 2011. In terms of its tenet, the V4 energy cooperation developed from general exchange of information on energy policy towards the recent process of integration of electricity and gas markets. The V4 countries share similar positions when it comes to security of energy supply, development of cross-border infrastructure, EU energy and climate policy, use of nuclear energy and other related issues. How do the achievements of the regional energy cooperation look from national perspectives of the V4 countries? What are both the next tasks and key challenges to be addressed during Slovakia’s V4 presidency?
Speakers Pavol Pavlis, Minister of Economy of the Slovak Republik
Jan Mládek, Minister of Trade and Industry of the Czech Republik
Miklós Seszták, Minister of National Development of Hungary
Tomasz Tomczykiewicz, State Secretary, Ministry of Economy of Poland
Gerassimos Thomas, Deputy Director, DG ENERGY, European Commission
Chair Pavol Hamžík, Ambassador-et-Large for Energy Security, Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of SR
Q&A
10:45 – 11:00 Coffee break
11:00 – 13:00 Panel II. World Energy Outlook 2014
The International Energy Agency’s annual flagship publication World Energy Outlook provides long-term projections under several policy scenarios based on indicators such as energy demand, production, trade and investment, types of energy sources and developments by world regions. Rising dependency on energy import, fierce competition for natural resources from emerging economies, insufficient electricity and gas interconnections, low investment and necessity to fight climate changes certainly are among the energy challenges that Europe has to face in coming decades. What are the trends in global energy and their impacts on competiveness of the EU economy, and how should the EU and, in particular the Central European region, tackle them?
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5. Presentation Maria van der Hoeven, Executive Director, International Energy Agency
Commentaries John Staub, Team Lead, Office of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels Analysis at the U. S. Energy Information Administration
Lívia Vašáková, Economic advisor, Representation of the European Commission in Slovakia
Marek Senkovič, Chief economic advisor to CEO of SLOVNAFT, member of the MOL Group
Chair Réka Szemerkényi, Chief Adviser to the Prime Minister of Hungary
Q&A
13:00 – 14:30 Lunch
14:30 – 16:30 Panel III. Nuclear energy in the EU and Central Europe
There are diverging opinions within the EU concerning the use of nuclear energy. Some Member States are against the use of nuclear energy (Austria), others (Germany, Belgium) decided to phase-out nuclear energy after the accident in Fukushima. However, there are many other Member States including V4 countries that are speaking in favour of nuclear energy. The main issue in these countries seems to be costs and profitability of new nuclear power plants as the on-going nuclear projects experience cost overruns and time delays. Should the EU regulatory framework be amended in order to support commercial investment into nuclear energy as it is in the case of renewables? How should we proceed in creating common rules for increasing safety of operation of nuclear power plants and their economic effectiveness?
Chair Aleksandra Gawlikowska-Fyk, Head of Energy Project, Polish Institute of International Affairs
Speakers Ute Blohm-Hieber, Head of Unit Nuclear Fuel Market Operations, DG ENER, European Commission, Brussels
Nicola Cotugno, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Slovenské elektrárne, a. s., Enel (tbc)
Sándor Nagy, Deputy Chief Executive for Generation of MVM Zrt.
Zdeněk Šíma, Managing Director, Rosatom Central Europe, s. r. o. (tbc)
Q&A
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6. 17:00 – 20:00 Dinner sessions (upon registration of participants)
DS I. Evidence and science based strategic decisions in energy policy
The energy policy of EU and the member states should reflect the complex nature of the energy sector. Strategic decisions in energy policy should be based on evidence and knowledge. What is the role of research & development in both the EU energy policy planning and decision-making? What is the experience of the V4 countries in this field?
Chair Michal Hudec, CEO, energy analytics, s. r. o.
Speaker Vladimír Šucha, Director-General, Joint Research Centre, European Commission
Commentary Jerzy Langer, Professor, Institute of Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences
DS II. Gas security of Central Europe: consequences of Russo-Ukrainian crisis
The recent Russo-Ukrainian crisis is challenging the security of gas supply in the region of Central Europe once again. What is the difference between the current situation and the gas crisis in 2007 and 2009? What lessons have we learned from the last crisis and what should be still learned? When and how will LNG supply from the U.S. enhance the gas security of Central Europe? What are the additional options for diversification of gas supply for Central Europe? This dinner session is part of the research project “Diversity of gas supplies as a key precondition for the effective V4 gas market” supported by the International Visegrad Fund.
Chair Anita Orbán, Ambassador-at-Large for Energy Security, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Hungary
Speakers Thomas Cunningham, Bureau of Energy Resources, State Department of the U. S.
Mihnea Constantinescu, Ambassador at large for Energy Security, Government of Romania
György Harmati, Strategy Director of MVM Zrt.
Mikhail Gonchar, President, Centre for Global Studies STRATEGY XXI, Kyiv
Jan Osička, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Social Studies, Masaryk University in Brno
Commentary Mikhail Korchemkin, Director, East European Gas Analysis, U. S.
DS III. Covenant of Mayors: local sustainable energy action plans are key to European energy security
Local and regional authorities are playing an increasingly important role in the energy security of the EU. The Covenant of Mayors initiative associates local and regional authorities that are voluntarily committed to EU climate and energy objectives. Today, nearly 6,000 Covenant of Mayors signatories representing some 190 million citizens of the EU pledge to submit a Sustainable Energy Action Plan, outlining measures increasing energy efficiency and use of renewable energy sources on their territories. What are the main achievements of the Covenant of Mayors initiative launched in 2008? What are the experiences and future plans of the participating municipalities?
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7. Chair Kristina Dely, Head, Covenant of Mayors Office, Brussels
Speakers Milan Ftáčnik, President, Union of Towns and Cities of Slovakia
Chrysoula Argyrion, DG Energy, European Commission
Andriy Kyrchiv, Executive Director, Energy Efficient Cities of Ukraine
Katarzyna Rutkowska-Newman, National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management, Warsaw
Commentary Claire Roumet, Executive Director, Energy Cities Association, Brussels
DS IV. GLOBENVIRONMENTPAPER SLOVAKIA 2014: Low Carbon Slovakia 2014. Facts and Challenges
This Dinner Session is part of the project “Ecological bridges Norway – Slovakia” supported by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway within the EEA Financial Mechanism through the NGO Fund „Active citizenship and inclusion“ operated by Ekopolis Foundation, Children of Slovakia Foundation and SOCIA - Foundation for Social Change. The Dinner Session will present the main findings of the research implemented within the project. The research identifies potential challenges to the development of low-carbon economy in Slovakia with the aim, first, to strengthen energy security of Slovakia, and second, to contribute to greater adaptability of Slovakia’s economy to climate change.
The paper also explores the potential for the use of bio-methane, improvement of energy efficiency and waste treatment as a real alternative to the import of conventional fossil fuels.
Chair Milan Šikula, Director, Institute of Economic Research, Slovak Academy of Sciences
Speaker Filip Urban, President, Association for the Use of Renewable and Alternative Resources (AVBAZ)
Commentary Július Forsthoffer, AVBAZ
Stanislav Dukát, AVBAZ
Tuesday, 25 November 2014
9:00 – 11:00 Panel IV. Energy efficiency: R&D and new technologies
The European Commission’s policy framework for climate and energy in the period from 2020 to 2030(COM (2014) 15 final) includes proposal for reduction of greenhouse gas emission target by 40 % in 2030 relative to emissions in 1990, as well as an increased share of renewable energy in the electricity sector from 21 % in 2014 to at least 45 % in 2030. The EC analysis shows that a new GHG target would require an increased level of energy savings of approximately 25 % in 2030. It also concludes that the EU will have to step up its efforts on research and innovation policy to support the post-2020 climate and energy framework. What are the lessons learned by the V4 member states from implementing the targets of the 2020 Framework in the field of energy efficiency and R&D? What should be done in order to meet the ambitious targets of the 2030 Framework?
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8. Chair Juraj Mesík, Energy & Climate Adviser, Slovak Foreign Policy Association
Speakers Paul Hodson, Head of Unit Energy Efficiency, DG ENERGY, European Commission
Alena Žáková, Director, Department of International Relations in Energy Sector, Ministry of Economy of SR
Anders Stølan, CEO, International Development Norway AS
Wolfgang Loibl, Senior Scientist, Sustainable Buildings and Cities, Energy Department, Austrian Institute of Technology, Vienna
Q&A
11:00 – 11:30 Coffee break
11:30 – 13:30 Panel V. V4 gas markets: integration and the security of supply
The debate about diversification of gas supplies for the region of Central Europe started after the gas crisis in 2006 and 2009, and again, after the Russian-Ukrainian crisis in 2014. The implementation of the key infrastructure projects within the North-South energy corridor in Central Europe, which started after the 2009 gas crisis, lays foundation for decreasing import dependence on Russia. Prime Ministers of the V4 countries adopted a Road Map towards the regional gas market among V4 countries in Warsaw on 16 June 2013. What are the key challenges in carrying out the market-coupling of national gas markets of the V4 countries? Is a reverse flow of gas via the territory of V4 countries a feasible way for Ukraine to reduce its import dependence on Russia? Should the EU member states delegate a competence to the European Commission for negotiating import contracts with Gazprom?Chair Ján Klepáč, Executive Director, Slovak Gas and Oil Association
Speakers Tomáš Mareček, Chairman of the Board of Directors, eustream, a. s.
Andriy Kobolev, Chairman of the Board of Directors, NJSC Naftogaz of Ukraine
Andreas Rau, Managing Director, NET4GAS
Rafał Wittmann, Director for Development and Investment, GAZ-SYSTEM S.A.
Q&A
13:30 – 14:00 Concluding remarks
Ján Petrovič, Director General, Energy Section, Ministry of Economy of SR
Alexander Duleba, Director, Research Center of the Slovak Foreign Policy Association
14:00 Lunch
EU Energy Policy and Energy Security of Central Europe VIII
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