Energetika.NET Strategic Conference 010
Portorož, 22. June 2010
- On June 22nd and 23rd Energetika.NET organized Strategic conference titled »Energy in South-Eastern Europe - A must for development. About 100 participants gathered at the event - from politics representatives from SEE region (Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Kosovo, Albania, Romania and Bulgaria), representatives of european institutions to representatives of local and in foreign companies, present in the region.
Speakers introduced the meaning of policy framework and business climate for energy investments, they pinpointed strategic gas and electrical energy projects, as well as dug in the problematics of privatization and liberalization. Representatives of companies, that are the best in their field, as well as those who are aware of the need to do act, spoke of the meaning of renewable energy sources and efficient energy use, besides that participants learned about the needs of investors and distributers when investing in the field of energy in SEE region.
Energetika.NET Strategic Conference is supported by:
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STRATEGIC ENERGY FORUM - ATTRACTING ENERGY INVESTMENTS WITH POLICY FRAMEWORK
Janez Kopač
Ministry of Economy, SloveniaBozhidar Violinov Patinov
Embassy of the Republic of BulgariaSandër Kovaci
Embassy of Republic of AlbaniaSESSION: STRATEGIC GAS PROJECTS
Milosz Momot
European Commission
Giorgi Vashakmadze
GUEU White StreamSESSION: STRATEGIC ELECTRICITY PROJECTS
Dragomir Marković
Elektroprivreda Srbije
Emir Aganović
Elektroprivreda BiHTomaž Štokelj
Holding Slovenske elektrarneEmir Avdić
Intrade EnergijaROUND TABLE: INVESTMENTS WILL BRING PROGRESS - BUT WHAT DO INVESTORS AND SUPPLIERS NEED?
Denis Peranić
Alstom Power
Bredo Erichsen
Statkraft AlbaniaAnton Papež
InterEnergoVioleta Kogalniceanu
Energy Community SecretariatTomaž Orešič
EFT GroupROUND TABLE: WHAT CAN MAKE CONSUMERS AWARE OF THE MEANING OF ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND USE OF RENEWABLE ENERGY?
Konstantin Stamenov
Bulgarian Federation of Industrial Energy Consumers (BFIEC)
Christoph Urbschat
eclareon GmbHUroš Merc
BisolJože Perko
Schneider ElectricSimon Smolnikar
IneaDejan Savić
GreenpeaceSESSION: ENERGY INTERDEPENDENCE AND COOPERATION
Aleksandar Mihajlović
International Finance Corporation
Miloš Vučković
Karanovič&NikoličGraham Coop
Energy Charter SecretariatAna Stanič
E&A LawROUND TABLE: PRIVATIZATION AND LIBERALIZATION - HOW FAST CAN THEY BRING PROGRESS?
Dragomir Marković
Elektroprivreda Srbije
Emir Aganović
Elektroprivreda BIHWojciech Hann
Deloitte CEUrban Prelog
Directorate for Energy, Ministry of Economy, SloveniaRok Vodnik
PetrolSESSION: ELECTRICAL AND GAS INTERCONNECTIONS
Franc Cimerman
Geoplin plinovodi
Goran Frančić
PlinacroTomaž Oštir
Central Allocation OfficeStrategic Energy Forum Janez Kopač, Ministry of Economy, Slovenia
In the SEE region investments into energy sector, particularly in electricity production, have traditionally been a state business. Therefore power plants have been state owned. Do the states have enough investment potential to maintain the electricity production sector in condition? No, they don’t. But to attract foreign investments, the crucial condition is liberalization of electricity market. With the treaty establishing the Energy Community, states have bound themselves, to implement EU Acquis communautaire on energy market. Actual implementation is the key prerequisite for foreign investments in this region.
In Slovenia the situation is somehow particular. EU acquis has been implemented. The power production however is still completely state owned. At the moment there is enough production within Slovenia, also investment plans are encouraging. However, all ongoing investments and planned investments are performed by state owned companies. They do invest, but not outside Slovenia. We think that some diversification in this context would be appropriate: for Slovenian companies to invest outside Slovenia and for investments in Slovenia to be performed by other companies. Privatization of existing energy production companies in Slovenia is not a very popular idea in Slovenia.
Main point of liberalization in energy sector is liberalization of investments in power production. This is the point where efficiency of investments should be improved by competition.
Domestic companies in Slovenia have effectively closed the space for competition. What helps them is very strict space planning legislation and environmental legislation. It is obstacle for all investors, but domestic companies somehow manage to cope with it. Other companies don’t. We are currently looking for the way to make the path through the space planning procedures easier and faster.Strategic gas projects Giorgi Vashakmadze, GUEU White Stream
White Stream.pdfMilosz Momot, European Commission
Key gas projects.pptStrategic electricity projects Dragomir Marković, Elektroprivreda Srbije
Upgrade of ageing electricity infrastructure.pptEmir Aganović, Elektroprivreda BiH
Planing new energy capacities.pdfTomaž Štokelj, HSE
Modernizing the power capacities.pptEmir Avdić, Intrade Energija: Prvi kilovati iz vodne energije po desetletju
First kilowats from hydroenergy after a decade.pdfInvestments will bring progress - but what do investors and suppliers need? Denis Peranić, Alstom Power
Foreign investment almost always brings additional resources - technology, management know-how, and access to export markets. In power generation market, it is all about Investor’s risk allocation. Promoting short-term competition may adversly effect investment in power generation capacity by restricting posibility of long-term contracting and efficient allocation of investment risks on consumers.
In decentralised market model risk allocation is a barrier. That is particulary the case for capital-intensive technologies: coal, nuclear, renewables. Are regulatory adjustments justified so to allow, above all, reliable commitments by (independant) power producers?Bredo Erichsen, Statkraft Albania
Statkraft, a Norwegian power producer, is in the process of planning construction of three hydro power plants in Albania together with EVN from Austria. In my presentation I explained how an investor as Statkraft is evaluating, comparing and selecting project. Which framework has to be in place? How do we evaluate risk? What do we expect from the country we come into?Tomaž Orešič, EFT Group
Investors need a predictable and politically stable business environment with working clear market principles. The situation has already worsen enough with the impacts of financial crisis through lover energy prices and through situation on financial market. Now most of the SE European region faces the lack of interest of foreign investors for new investments in the industry, which might cause supply difficulties or unfavourable price development in the future.Anton Papež, InterEnergo
Simply said, investors need in my opinion an attractive framework which contents good political, legal and economical preconditions. From my point of view, we need a kind of a transnational master-concept, which will also be consistently implemented on regional levels. The future investment impulses should focus on renewable energy sources. Especially South Eastern Europe takes a particular significance in this context, because in this countries the use of renewable energy sources is not yet very pronounced compared to the rest of Europe – although South Eastern Europe has an enormous potential in this area. In relation to the required master-concept, we also need an adopted legal framework which should be executed in a transparent and quick way. Also economical incentives such as adequate tax rates, good feed-in-tariffs and direct investment subsidies should be a part of it. It should be well understood that investors want to be treated professionally, but in return also the investors by theirselves must act professionally and fair. At the end it should result in a win-win-situation, where everyone can benefit from.What can make consumers aware of the meaning of enrgy efficiency and use of renewable energy? Konstantin Stamenov, Bulgarian Federation of Industrial Energy Consumers (BFIEC)
The competition makes the consumers aware of energy efficiency. If we do not invest in energy efficiency we are not competitive industry.
The renewable sources are part of the game. The preferential prices make them expensive. They require big investments in the grid flexibility. They require big investments in development of the infrastructure unless they are “home made”. Because every country has target percent production from RES it is a must to find a balance politic between competitive industry and RES. Investments in energy efficiency decrease the necessary investments in RES.Christoph Urbschat, eclareon GmbH
Concerning 'energy consumers' and their attitudes and interests in energy efficiency measures and renewable energies, we have to keep in mind that not any consumer is principally able to make investment decisions. For example a tenant living in a residential building, to a certain degree can lower its energy consumption by using energy efficient appliaces or by changing his energy consumption patterns. However, a tenant cannot simply renew the entire heating system or insulate the building's facade due to this being the houseowner's task. On the other hand owners of one or multi-dwelling houses can only invest in energy efficiency measures and renewable energies within the framework of the tenancy law in place.
The most obvious target group to adress in terms of creating awareness for measures in the building sector, are owners of one or two family houses, because they not only own the house but are also occupying the flats themselves and can therefore immediately initiate investment decisions.Jože Perko, Schneider Electric
Energy dilemma of the 21st century can be tackled from two sides – supply and demand. On the supply side, new technologies and business models to increase renewable energies penetration have to be developed and this takes time. On the demand side, technologies that are already available today, allow consumers to target up to 30% savings in energy consumption. Therefore, we (Schneider Electric) believe that on the short run we need to focus on energy efficiency (EE). Although many EE measures are easy to install, with a low implementation cost and a quick pay back, EE market penetration is not yet on the level we would and should expect. Why? Mainly because of lack of awareness on the consumption side – you don’t fix what you don’t know and you don’t know what you don’t measure. We propose a four step model to EE: 1 – measure, 2 – fix the basics, 3 – automate, 4 – monitor and improve. Key success factor in EE implementation is being able to successfully push the EE value along the value chain. That is why we are developing new communication and education tools (e.g. Energy University on www) that would enable decision makers and opinion leaders to pursue the EE projects in their organizations and their homes and rise up to the energy challenge of the future.Simon Smolnikar, Inea
In order to motivate the consciousness of the entire society, it is important to start building terms and conditions at the top of it. This means that the goverment is the one that has to promote and motivate projects and good practices which show that EEU and RES are the correct way to an energetically effective and self-sufficient society.
A lot of actions have been in progress about this in the past few years, which also is the effect of what the EU directives are ˝forcing˝ us to do. In recent years Slovenia has spent quite a few resources for investments in facilities and systems that enable us to reach the effects in the field of energy consumption decrease in buildings. Furthermore, there was an increase in RES implementation where we specifically talk about photovoltaic systems and wood biomass heating.
Despite all this, the people relationship and consciousness toward ecologic problems and positive effects of EEU and RES have to be changed for longterm results. This is mostly a process of implemeting these topics to the school system, because only good education systems can contribute to motivating future consumers to change their perception about EEU and RES as something to be taken for granted. In the longrun, this kind of approach will create a society which we will be able to call a ˝low-carbon˝ society.Dejan Savić, Greenpeace
It is important for governments and companies to accept the reality, in which we can no longer live and consume in the same way as we did in the past. Government has to regulate the market in the way, that products price will include the costs, which are currently still transmitted on society and to the environment. Those measures would lower the price of clean and energy efficient products, at the same time dirty and inefficient products would become expensive. Internalisation of external costs is therefore one of the most important step toward attracting consumers towards sustainable consumption choices. Next thing, that is needed and is already happening, is for companies to recognize their responsibility in raising awareness of its customers. Producers should reveal information on their products social and environmental implications. Environmentally friendly companies should try to educate their costumers on positive social and environmental impacts of their products. Consumers should be informed on products impact on society and the environment. People are already positively accepting energy efficiency measures and they recognise the renewable energy as a future way of producing energy. If we want to achieve positive acceptance of ecological products on the market, we must connect consumers’ values with their market choices. People should know that, when buying energy efficient products from renewable energy sources, they are doing something good for the ideas they believe in; like health, sustainability, welfare and justice to future generations. If prices of energy efficient products from renewable energy would not fall, only informed and economically strong consumers could afford those kinds of products. If that reality threaten the possibility of achieving sustainable development, than government regulation on dirty and inefficient products should be further strengthened.Energy interdependence and cooperation Aleksandar Mihajlović, International Finance Corporation, World Bank Group
IFC's financial mechanisms in energy sector.pptGraham Coop, Energy Charter Secretariat
Cross-Border Pipelines and the Energy Charter Treaty.pptMiloš Vučković, Karanovič&Nikolič
Energy in Focus.pptAna Stanič, E&A Law
International and contractual framework for SEE cross-border pipeline projects.pptPrivatization and liberalization - how fast can they bring progress? Dragomir Marković, Elektroprivreda Srbije
Key drivers of progress through privatization and liberalization processes are:- know-how transfer (financial and technical performance improvement)
- investment ratio extension (oriented to sustainable development)
- increasing competitiveness (oriented to efficiency improvement)
Unfortunately, such a practice very often varies depending on political, governmental, investors, local authorities short-term interests etc. Weak power sector in SEE which is additionally fragmented with “antimonopoly unbundling processes” and then partially privatized could not recognize privatization and liberalization main goals. On the contrary, effects of such privatization models and market liberalization in such conditions, lead to violation of security of supply, environmental and financial collapse.
I suggest to this Conference or to this Session to approve the conclusion: Urgent regional project for investigation of influences of different privatization models and market liberalization in such condition on sustainable development of the regional energy sector.Emir Aganović, Elektroprivreda BiH
The answer is not simple and single since starting position and electricity sector framework are not the same in different countries, so speed of changes will not be the same.
If we consider South-Eastern Europe transitional countries we could see that market opening process has been initiated but progress is not at the planned level. Generally we cannot see real market opening and liberalization in spite of fact that all countries formally opened their markets. For example in BiH only two customers used their rights to be supplied on the market instead under regulated tariffs.
Key common factors for such situation are:- Regulated tariffs are generally low and customers could not find better supply solution on the open market so there is not incentives for customers for exercising its eligibility.
- Markets are in most cases dominated by state owned utilities which are obliged to sell electricity at regulated prices. In addition, in many cases, utilities are still vertically integrated, and distribution and supply are not unbundled.
- New entrants are not able to enter the market and offer lower prices and compete with dominant utilities.
- Social situation generally is not good and there is not political will to increase tariffs, and governments prefer to keep low tariffs.
Urban Prelog, Direktorat za energijo, Ministrstvo za gospodarstvo Slovenije
Liberalization of electricity and natural gas market has not been really discussed in Slovenia yet. It has been a fact when Slovenia joined EU and it has been simply a question of implementation. Especially electricity market has been quite a challenge for Slovenia, since prices of electricity were low and controlled by a state. Complete electricity sector has been and still is in state ownership in Slovenia. Luckily, transmission, distribution and production companies were separated before liberalization.
The situation in gas sector was not that much problematic, since prices in the gas sector have always been market orientated and changes in EU legislation regarding gas sector lag a bit in comparison with electricity. Also a state is not a majority owner in gas companies in Slovenia.
So the most difficult change for electricity sector has been introduction of prices covering costs. After almost ten years we managed to reach market prices for all consumers. There is enough production currently, there is also enough planned investments. The only question is, are all planned inventions also efficient enough, since they are all planned by state owned companies, and investment argumentation is not exclusively profit related.
There is quite a number of experts in Slovenia believing that introduction of market can only bring higher prices and problems. It is therefore time, to really discuss about advantages of liberalization and about problems of non market based system.Electrical and gas interconnections Franc Cimerman, Geoplin plinovodi
Regional gas interconnections.pptGoran Frančič, Plinacro
Gas pipeline interconnection possibilities.pptTomaž Oštir, Central Allocation Office
CAO - the CEE Allocation office CEE Capacity Congestion Management Project.pptDragomir Marković, General Manager, Elektroprivreda Srbije
A very competent participant and speakers list guaranteed the high quality of the event."I was very impressed by the work of Energetika.NET – I regularly follow their (energy) news portal. Strategic Conference 010 was very professionally organised and offered actual themes on the energy field in the region: attracting investments, energy efficiency and renewable energy sources, privatisation and liberalisation and more. A very competent participant and speakers list guaranteed the high quality of the event.
I suggest selectively pre-defining the topics for future conferences."
Almir Ajanović, Managing Director, Intrade Energija
Most of the speakers brought further wider knowledge in the field of strategic planning and goals for individual countries as well as the entire South-Eastern Europe region.The organisation of the conference was of a high and professional level. The speakers demonstrated their expertise in their fields of business. Additionally, most of them brought further wider knowledge in the field of strategic planning and goals for individual countries as well as the entire South-Eastern Europe region. At future conferences, I would be glad to see more presentations introducing concrete projects.
Emir Avdić, Director, Intrade Energija
Expert part had well-chosen and actual themes from the energy field."The organisation of the conference was excellent, with respected guests from the whole region. That goes for the official as well as expert part, with well-chosen and actual themes from the energy field. Sincere thanks for everything. I would be more than glad to participate in the conference 011 as well."
Arben Gjukaj, Managing Director, Kosovo Energy Corporation JSC
The team is aware of the challenges facing the energy market in the region and also knows the needs that the SEE energy market has in further joining together to form one single market."I thank Energetika.NET for this good time. The team is aware of the challenges facing the energy market in the region and also knows the needs that the SEE energy market has in further joining together to form one single market. Energetika.NET did an excellent job in bringing to the conference important players who have a say in the ongoing developments of the region.
The organising team members excelled in doing their job of providing useful information and interesting speakers for the audience. I congratulate them all and am already looking forward to the next similar event."
Tomaž Oštir, ICT Manager, Central Allocation Office GmbH
Themes and venues are chosen to foster networking and discussions."When looking for an event with the broad spectrum of energy experts, from trading to investment companies and decision-makers in the SEE region, the Energetika.NET’s events are a perfect choice. Themes and venues are chosen to foster networking and discussions. We will definitely come to the forthcoming events of Energetika.NET."
Graham Coop, General Counsel, Energy Charter Secretariat
I also really enjoyed the social interaction opportunities which the conference offered."I felt that the conference ran very well and that the presentations were thoroughly professional. I also really enjoyed the social interaction opportunities which the conference offered. Congratulations to you and to your team. I hope to have the opportunity to work with Energetika.NET again in the future."
Dragan Nikolić, Director, TENT Obrenovac, TE Kolubara, TPP Nikola Tesla Ltd
Speakers were very good, as well as the moderators, and hostesses very kind."The conference organisation was very professional. Speakers were very good, as well as the moderators, and hostesses very kind. Perhaps it would be better to limit speakers' time to 15 minutes. The organisers really earned our confidence."
Jeff Potter, Chief Executive Officer, Renewable Energy Int.
The brochure with speaker biographies was first-class and could have hardly been improved on"The Energetika.NET conference in Portorož was a very useful event from several perspectives. First of all, it was extremely well-organised. The brochure with speaker biographies was first-class and could have hardly been improved on – although if more PowerPoint presentations were included it would have been even more complete, but I admit that this is difficult to arrange. The location (Portorož) and venues (congress centre + restaurants) were all superb. It would be difficult to improve!
I was particularly impressed that the conference took place in English, and the quality of the spoken English was excellent. My congratulations to all of the speakers, organisers and participants.
As in most conferences, some presentations were more relevant than others. However, I found that all of them were very well-prepared and professional. My own preference would have been for more on renewable energy, but I fully understand that this is not a priority for (all) in the energy complex. Eventually, the organisers should consider dividing up the conference into two parts: 1) oil + gas, and 2) renewable energy.
Overall impression: First class! Well done!"
Martin Apko, Managing Director, Central Allocation Office GmbH
The location and overall organisation was perfect."The location and overall organisation was perfect. I may recomend to stretwize the discussion blocks into presentations to be also announced in the agenda. I wish the best of luck to the organisational team and look forward to seeing you next time."
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Energetika.NET Strateška konferenca 010