Euromed: energy, sustainable development in Barcelon

(by Paola Del Vecchio) (ANSAmed) – MADRID, NOVEMBER 11 – Hundreds of entrepreneurs and managers of public and private organizations will take part on November 26-28 in Barcelona in the VIII Mediterranean Week of economic leaders to discuss key factors for the social and economic development of the region.

The appointment is organized by the Association of the chambers of commerce and industry of the Mediterranean (Ascame), which announced the event, in cooperation with the Chamber of commerce of Barcelona, the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), the European Investment Bank (EIB), and the European Institute of the Mediterranean (IEMed).

The three-day event will include forums and working sessions on issues ranging from the green economy to renewable energy and sustainable development.

The Week includes the 4th summit of the green economy of the Mediterranean, which includes the Foro Solar, economic intelligence, Medacity, the global Eco Forum and Meditour, dedicated to ecological tourism.

Sectorial appointments will include the second summit dedicated to Islamic finance; the first Mediterranean forum of entrepreneurs and the forum for the economic development of North Africa (NABDF), which has reached its 11th edition.

As usual, Ascame will celebrate its general assembly within economic week, which will be attended by 300 chambers of commerce of the Mediterranean and representatives of 23 countries of the region.

The great challenges of the energy sector, the need to create an energy community in the Mediterranean will be at the center of the I forum on energy regulation scheduled on November 26.

Organized by Medgrer, the only organization of independent public authorities in the region, the forum vies to create a joint authority for electricity and gas to benefit consumers in 21 countries to be represented in it.

The appointment in Barcelona will be an occasion to address key issues for energy policies in the area, like the role of authorities regulating the region’s interconnected market.

Another issue to be addressed is which investments and mechanisms should be funded to create infrastructures to respond to the growing demand for gas, electricity and renewable energy in the area. The objective is a road map for the creation of an energy community in the Mediterranean.

Centred on the essential aspects of sustainable development in the region, like the use of renewable energy and eco-efficiency, with particular attention to the green economy, the Week will also include the Mediterranean solar forum. The forum will ”focus on the social and political impact, training and challenges of the solar sector”, said sources from the organization. It will also compare for the first time ”six strategic projects of the European Union’s Neighbourhood Policy and their financial tools (ENPI) involving EU members and countries from the two shores of the Mediterranean”.

These are projects of the ENPI CBC Med Solar Cluster set up in Amman, Jordan, in October 2013: Foster in Med, Shaams, Med Solaire, Didsolitpb, Sts-Med and Med-Desire.

The overall investment for the development of solar energy in the region is worth 25 million euros.(ANSAmed)



Energy Strategy and Energy Union: Secure, competitive, and sustainable energy

Building the Energy Union (/energy/en/topics/energy-strategy-and-energy-union/building-energyunion)

The Energy Union will help to provide secure, affordable and clean energy for EU citizens and businesses.

Clean Energy for All Europeans (/energy/en/topics/energy-strategy-and-energy-union/cleanenergy-all-europeans)

A package of proposed new rules aimed at providing the necessary legal framework to facilitate the clean energy transition.

Governance of the Energy Union (/energy/en/topics/energy-strategy-and-energyunion/governance-energy-union)

Proposed new rules on the Governance of the Energy Union will help to ensure its objectives are met.2020 Energy Strategy (/energy/en/topics/energy-strategy-and-energy-union/2020-energystrategy)

The EU has set 20% targets for renewable energy, greenhouse gas reduction, and energy efficiency for 2020.

2030 Energy Strategy (/energy/en/topics/energy-strategy-and-energy-union/2030-energystrategy)

The 2030 Energy Strategy proposes targets for renewables, energy efficiency, and greenhouse gas reductions for the period between 2020 and 2030.

2050 Energy strategy (/energy/en/topics/energy-strategy-and-energy-union/2050-energystrategy) EU strategy for the transition to a competitive, secure and sustainable energy system by 2050 and for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 80%.

Energy Security Strategy (/energy/en/topics/energy-strategy-and-energy-union/energy-securitystrategy)

The EU Energy Security Strategy aims to ensure a reliable supply of energy for EU countries.

Clean Energy for EU Islands (/energy/en/topics/energy-strategy-and-energy-union/clean-energyeu-islands)

The Clean Energy for EU Islands initiative provides a long term framework to help islands generate their own sustainable, low-cost energy.

Overview

The European Union’s energy policies are driven by three main objectives:

  • We want secure energy supplies to ensure the reliable provision of energy whenever and wherever it is needed
  • We want to ensure that energy providers operate in a competitive environment that ensures affordable prices for homes, businesses, and industries
  • We want our energy consumption to be sustainable, through the lowering of greenhouse gas emissions, pollution, and fossil fuel dependence.

These goals will help the EU to tackle its most significant energy challenges. Among these, our dependence on energy imports is a particularly pressing issue, with the EU currently importing over half its energy at a cost of €350 billion per year. Other important challenges include rising global demand and the scarcity of fuels like crude oil, which contribute to higher prices. In addition, the continued use of fossil fuels in Europe is a cause of global warming and pollution.

Key policy areas that will help us achieve our goals include:

  • A European Energy Union that will ensure secure, affordable and clean energy for EU citizens and businesses by allowing a free flow of energy across national borders within the EU, and bringing new technologies and renewed infrastructure to cut household bills, create jobs and boost growth
  • A European Energy Security Strategy which presents short and long-term measures to shore up the EU’s security of supply
  • A resilient and integrated energy market across the EU – the internal energy market. To this end, new pipelines and power lines are being built to develop EU-wide networks for gas and electricity, and common rules are being designed to increase competition between suppliers and to promote consumer choice
  • Boosting the EU’s domestic production of energy, including the development of renewable energy sources
  • Promoting energy efficiency
  • Safety across the EU’s energy sectors with strict rules on issues such as the disposal of nuclear waste and the operation of offshore oil and gas platforms.

To pursue these goals within a coherent long-term strategy, the EU has formulated targets for 2020, 2030, and 2050.

The 2020 Energy Strategy defines the EU’s energy priorities between 2010 and 2020. It aims to:

  • reduce greenhouse gases by at least 20%
  • increase the share of renewable energy in the EU’s energy mix to at least 20% of consumption
  • improve energy efficiency by at least 20%

EU countries have agreed that the following objectives should be met by 2030:

  • a binding EU target of at least a 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, compared to 1990
  • a binding target of at least 27% of renewable energy in the EU
  • an energy efficiency increase of at least 27%, to be reviewed by 2020 with the potential to raise the target to 30% by 2030
  • the completion of the internal energy market by reaching an electricity interconnection target of 15% between EU countries by 2030, and pushing forward important infrastructure projects.

Together, these goals provide the EU with a stable policy framework on greenhouse gas emissions, renewables and energy efficiency, which gives investors more certainty and confirms the EU’s lead in these fields on a global scale.

On 30 November 2016, the Commission released a package of draft legislative proposals designed to help achieve these targets. The measures include draft proposals on electricity market design, renewables, and energy efficiency.

The EU aims to achieve an 80% to 95% reduction in greenhouse gases compared to 1990 levels by 2050. Its Energy Roadmap 2050 analyses a series of scenarios on how to meet this target.

Progress

The EU has already made important progress towards meeting its targets:

  • The ‘State of the Energy Union’ reports show the progress that has been made since the adoption of the Energy Union strategy in February 2015
  • Between 1990 and 2015, the EU cut greenhouse gas emissions by 22% and is well on track to meet its 2020 target
  • In 2015, the estimated share of renewable energy in the EU’s gross final energy consumption was 16.4%, up from 8.5% in 2005
  • The latest renewable energy progress report from 2017 states that 25 EU countries are expected to meet their 2015/2016 interim renewable energy targets
  • Energy efficiency is also improving: in 2014 the EU’s primary energy consumption was only 1.6% above its 2020 primary energy consumption target. Although there was a slight increase in primary energy consumption in 2015, if countries implement all the necessary EU legislation, the 2020 target should be reached.

Energy projections

The EU produces market projection reports for 2030 and 2050 based on current trends and policies. They include information on possible energy demand, energy prices, greenhouse gas emissions and other potential developments.

Energy trends up to 2050

Related documents



Declarations recognizing the jurisdiction of the Court as compulsory

Cyprus

3 September 2002

1. I have the honour on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Cyprus to declare, in conformity with paragraph
2 of Article 36 of the Statute of the International Court of Justice, that the Republic of Cyprus accepts as compulsory
ipso facto and without special agreement, on condition of reciprocity, the Jurisdiction of the Court, in relation to any
other State accepting the same obligation, over all legal disputes concerning:

(a) the interpretation of any treaty

I. to which the Republic of Cyprus became a party on or after 16 August 1960 or
II. which the Republic of Cyprus recognizes as binding on it by succession;

(b) any question of international law;

(c) the existence of any fact which, if established, would constitute a breach of an international obligation.

(d) the nature or extent of the reparation to be made for the breach of an international obligation.
Provided that this declaration shall not apply :
i. To disputes in respect of which any other Party to the dispute has accepted the compulsory jurisdiction of the
International Court of Justice only in relation to or for the purpose of the dispute ; or where the acceptance of the
Court’s compulsory jurisdiction on behalf of any other Party to the dispute was deposited or ratified less than twelve
months prior to the filing of the application bringing the dispute before the Court;
ii. To disputes relating to questions which fall within the domestic jurisdiction of the Republic of Cyprus.

2. The Government of the Republic of Cyprus also reserves the right at any time, by means of a notification
addressed to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, and with effect as from the moment of such notification,
either to add to, amend or withdraw this Declaration or any of the foregoing reservations or any that may hereafter be
added.

Nicosia, 3 September 2002.

(Signed) Ioannis KASOULIDES,

Minister of Foreign Affairs.



Roudi Baroudi, CEO, Energy & Environment Holding Qatar Distinguished Confirmed Speaker 9th Mediterranean Oil & Gas Forum 2018

9th Mediterranean Oil and Gas Forum 2018 Overview

The Mediterranean Oil and Gas Forum has been established as the prime industry event of Eastern Mediterranean. It is an annual commercial platform that was inaugurated 9 years ago by the leading Energy Ministers of the region.

U.S. Energy Stream will organize the 9th Mediterranean Oil and Gas Forum 2018 on 27 & 28 March, 2018 at the Hilton Park in Nicosia, Cyprus. 

The recent upstream gas discoveries in Cyprus, Israel, and Egypt reflect the future growth of hydrocarbons in the region. The Forum is a unique opportunity for energy leaders to engage in a productive dialogue with government decision makers and international investors.

The 9th Mediterranean Oil & Gas Forum 2018 will bring together government and energy leaders to promote American and European energy investments in Cyprus and Eastern Mediterranean.

This year’s topic is “The development of East Mediterranean gas and its impact on the European gas market.” The focus will be on commercial agreements from American and European oil majors and independents in the Cypriot, Israeli, Egyptian, and Greek gas markets.

The Forum is a private, closed door, off-the record, non-attribution, and non-dissemination meeting enabling private discussions and networking.



مقترحات للدبلوماسية الأميركية أخرى غير خط “هوف”

خلافاً لما تردّد بأن وزير الخارجية الأميركي ريكس تيلرسون أعاد التذكير بخط الدبلوماسي الأميركي فريدريك هوف بما يتصل بالنزاع مع إسرائيل على البلوك 9 ضمن المنطقة الاقتصادية الخالصة، تبين من خلال الجولة التي اجراها الجمعة مساعده لشؤون الشرق الأدنى ديفيد ساترفيلد، على المسؤولين اللبنانيين لمتابعة محادثات تيلرسون في بيروت، ان للدبلوماسية الأميركية مقترحات أخرى غير خط هوف الذي يرفضه المسؤولون اللبنانيون، الا ان هؤلاء رفضوا الكشف عن طبيعة هذه المقترحات، أو التأكيد عمّا إذا كانت تتصل باجراء مفاوضات رباعية مباشرة يُشارك فيها لبنان وإسرائيل والولايات المتحدة والأمم المتحدة على مستوى دبلوماسي لا عسكري، أو الذهاب إلى خيار التحكيم الدولي لبت النزاع مع إسرائيل حول الأراضي لصالحه.

غير ان مصدراً مطلعاً مقرباً من الرئيس نبيه برّي في عين التينة التي زارها ساترفيلد بصحبة السفيرة الأميركية اليزابيث ريتشارد، بعد لقائهما وزير الخارجية جبران باسيل في قصر بسترس، وقبل لقاء رئيس مجلس الوزراء سعد الحريري في “بيت الوسط”، أوضح لـ”اللواء” ان ساترفيلد طرح تعديلات على “خط هوف” الا ان الرئيس برّي أبلغه بأن هذا الطرح مرفوض وغير قابل للدرس.

ورفض المصدر الكشف عن طبيعة الطرح الأميركي الجديد، واكتفى بالتأكيد ان ساترفيلد تبلغ الموقف نفسه من الرئيس الحريري والوزير باسيل.

اما مصادر الخارجية فقد اشارت لـ”اللواء” إلى ان ساترفيلد الذي يتوقع ان يتوجه إلى إسرائيل في الساعات المقبلة لاستكمال وساطته بين الطرفين، نقل أجواء إيجابية عن زيارة تيلرسون إلى بيروت بمحطاتها الثلاث، وتحديداً مع الرئيس ميشال عون.

وأضافت ان اللقاء جاء تكملة لاجتماع باسيل مع تيلرسون والذي تركز حول المبادرة الأميركية لحل مشكلة الحدود وترسيمها والنقاط الخلافية مع اسرائيل، وان ساترفيلد قدم مقترحات سوف يدرسها باسيل على ان لا تتناقض مع ثوابت المواقف اللبنانية التي اتخذت سابقاً، وان باسيل أصرّ على ان يكون القرار اللبناني متخذاً تحت مظلة الوحدة الوطنية والإجماع الوطني بعيداً من التفرد.

وكانت مصادر اطلعت على محادثات تيلرسون مع المسؤولين اللبنانيين أوضحت ان المسؤول الأميركي ابلغهم بأن الاقتراح الذي أشار إليه مساعده ساترفيلد يعطي مكاسب للبنان قد لا تكون مضمونة في حالات أخرى، الا انه لم يسم “خط هوف”.

وقالت ان تيلرسون أكّد على ضرورة معالجة الخط الأزرق مع الخط الأبيض لكي يكون ذلك مدخلاً لحلحلة الوضع في الجنوب، مشيراً إلى ان ما قدم من مقترحات في هذا المجال مناسب لحلحلة الوضع، لافتاً إلى ان مصلحة لبنان يمكن ان تتأمن بمثل هذا الحل، مع انفتاح على اقتراحات يمكن ان تكون مشجعة على تسوية يتم التوصّل إليها.

خلافاً لما تردّد بأن وزير الخارجية الأميركي ريكس تيلرسون أعاد التذكير بخط الدبلوماسي الأميركي فريدريك هوف بما يتصل بالنزاع مع إسرائيل على البلوك 9 ضمن المنطقة الاقتصادية الخالصة، تبين من خلال الجولة التي اجراها الجمعة مساعده لشؤون الشرق الأدنى ديفيد ساترفيلد، على المسؤولين اللبنانيين لمتابعة محادثات تيلرسون في بيروت، ان للدبلوماسية الأميركية مقترحات أخرى غير خط هوف الذي يرفضه المسؤولون اللبنانيون، الا ان هؤلاء رفضوا الكشف عن طبيعة هذه المقترحات، أو التأكيد عمّا إذا كانت تتصل باجراء مفاوضات رباعية مباشرة يُشارك فيها لبنان وإسرائيل والولايات المتحدة والأمم المتحدة على مستوى دبلوماسي لا عسكري، أو الذهاب إلى خيار التحكيم الدولي لبت النزاع مع إسرائيل حول الأراضي لصالحه.

غير ان مصدراً مطلعاً مقرباً من الرئيس نبيه برّي في عين التينة التي زارها ساترفيلد بصحبة السفيرة الأميركية اليزابيث ريتشارد، بعد لقائهما وزير الخارجية جبران باسيل في قصر بسترس، وقبل لقاء رئيس مجلس الوزراء سعد الحريري في “بيت الوسط”، أوضح لـ”اللواء” ان ساترفيلد طرح تعديلات على “خط هوف” الا ان الرئيس برّي أبلغه بأن هذا الطرح مرفوض وغير قابل للدرس.

ورفض المصدر الكشف عن طبيعة الطرح الأميركي الجديد، واكتفى بالتأكيد ان ساترفيلد تبلغ الموقف نفسه من الرئيس الحريري والوزير باسيل.

اما مصادر الخارجية فقد اشارت لـ”اللواء” إلى ان ساترفيلد الذي يتوقع ان يتوجه إلى إسرائيل في الساعات المقبلة لاستكمال وساطته بين الطرفين، نقل أجواء إيجابية عن زيارة تيلرسون إلى بيروت بمحطاتها الثلاث، وتحديداً مع الرئيس ميشال عون.

وأضافت ان اللقاء جاء تكملة لاجتماع باسيل مع تيلرسون والذي تركز حول المبادرة الأميركية لحل مشكلة الحدود وترسيمها والنقاط الخلافية مع اسرائيل، وان ساترفيلد قدم مقترحات سوف يدرسها باسيل على ان لا تتناقض مع ثوابت المواقف اللبنانية التي اتخذت سابقاً، وان باسيل أصرّ على ان يكون القرار اللبناني متخذاً تحت مظلة الوحدة الوطنية والإجماع الوطني بعيداً من التفرد.

وكانت مصادر اطلعت على محادثات تيلرسون مع المسؤولين اللبنانيين أوضحت ان المسؤول الأميركي ابلغهم بأن الاقتراح الذي أشار إليه مساعده ساترفيلد يعطي مكاسب للبنان قد لا تكون مضمونة في حالات أخرى، الا انه لم يسم “خط هوف”.

وقالت ان تيلرسون أكّد على ضرورة معالجة الخط الأزرق مع الخط الأبيض لكي يكون ذلك مدخلاً لحلحلة الوضع في الجنوب، مشيراً إلى ان ما قدم من مقترحات في هذا المجال مناسب لحلحلة الوضع، لافتاً إلى ان مصلحة لبنان يمكن ان تتأمن بمثل هذا الحل، مع انفتاح على اقتراحات يمكن ان تكون مشجعة على تسوية يتم التوصّل إليها.



ROUDI BAROUDI – Athens Energy Forum February 15-16,2018

ROUDI BAROUDI

Athens Energy Forum February 15-16,2018 Presentation



New Energy era for Europe “there for the taking”

ATHENS: Offshore gas from the Eastern Mediterranean could usher in a new era of energy independence and economic renaissance for Europe, a regional energy expert told a high-profile industry conference in Athens on Friday.

“Almost instantly, the flow of East Med gas into Europe would mean additional diversification and flexibility of supply, closely followed by enhanced competitiveness for European industry, accelerated economic growth, and dramatic long-term improvements for public finances,” Roudi Baroudi, a veteran of more than 36 years in the oil and gas business, told the Athens Energy Conference.

While “East Med gas would be more of a complement than a competitor to supplies already flowing … from Russia” and other countries, he explained, other factors were also likely to help Europe diversify its energy supply, putting downward pressure on prices and “reducing the potential impact of possible interruptions elsewhere”.

Baroudi, who currently serves as CEO of Energy and Environment Holding, a Doha-based independent consultancy, has advised governments, companies, and multilateral institutions on energy matters, even helping to craft policy for agencies of the European Union and the United Nations. Speaking on the sidelines of the conference, which drew a broad audience including senior figures from both the public and private sectors, he said the timing “could not be better” for Europe.

“Shale gas has made America another energy superpower alongside Russia and OPEC, and liquefied natural gas is now a fully fledged global commodity,” he said. “Plus, the East Med producers will be sitting on Europe’s doorstep, and several countries are already gearing up to start taking massive LNG shipments. Decades of benefits for hundreds of millions of people, all there for the taking.”

And expected producer countries like Cyprus, Greece, and Lebanon, Baroudi added, stand to gain even more. “For a variety of historical reasons, most of these countries have not yet achieved the levels of development enjoyed in most of the European Union,” he told the conference. “Given the potential rewards for their peoples, the governments involved have nothing less than a moral responsibility to take advantage of propitious circumstances by tapping the oil and gas wealth within their respective social, economic, and geopolitical reaches.” Baroudi also has emphasized some of East Med countries are not party to UNCLOS but all countries are signatories to the UN Charter. Therefore, Baroudi reminded that all these countries are under an obligation to “settle their international disputes by peaceful means in such a manner that international peace and security, and justice, are not endangered.”

He also sounded notes of caution, however. For one thing, he stressed the need for producer countries to ensure proper management of the proceeds from gas sales to pay social justice. For another, he reinstated on the same countries to avoid international tensions that might impede development of the sector.



ATHENS ENERGY FORUM 2018 – Energy Security and Strategic Investments: The Way Forward

AGENDA

THURSDAY | February 15

 11.30 Participants Arrival – Registration

12.00 WELCOME REMARKS: Achilles Tsaltas, Vice President, International Conferences, The New York Times

12.10 OPENING SPEECH: George Stathakis, Minister of Energy and Environment, Hellenic Republic

12.30 REMARKS: Konstantinos Skrekas, MP – New Democracy Party, Head of Energy and Environment Sector,

  1. Minister of Development and Competitiveness, Hellenic Republic

12.40 REMARKS: Prof. Yannis Maniatis, MP, Democratic Coalition, f. Minister of Environment, Energy & Climate Change

Introduction & Chair: Symeon Tsomokos, Founder & Chairman, Delphi Economic Forum

12.50 Panel 1: The Global Geopolitical Parameters

  • Diversification of energy sources to bring about energy independence for the region
  • The impact of Brexit on EU Security & Energy Policy

 

Kate Smith, British Ambassador to the Hellenic Republic

Steven Bitner, Economic Counselor, U.S. Embassy, Athens

Energy sector as a leveraging tool despite geopolitical challenges

Nabil Fahmy, Dean, School of Global Affairs & Public Policy, American University of Cairo, f. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Egypt

Defne Sadiklar-Arslan, Executive Director, Atlantic Council Turkey

Introduction & Chair: Athanasios Ellis, Editor in Chief, Kathimerini English Edition

 13.45 Networking Break – Light Lunch

14.30 Panel 2: Strategic Privatization Opportunities in the Energy Sector

Laurent-Charles Thery, Director for International Development, GRTgaz

George Longos, Managing Partner, Alantra

Introduction & Chair: Achilleas Topas, Journalist, SKAI Media Group Co-hosted by

14.50 Panel 3: Completing the Midstream Puzzle: Exporting Gas from the Eastern Med and the Caspian Sea

  • Progress report on IGB and the dynamics of a second LNG imports facility in Alexandroupolis
  • TAP: Progress Report and Phase 2
  • The feasibility of the East Med Gas Pipeline
  • The LNG export option

The View from Greece

Dimitrios-Evangelos Tzortzis, CEO, Public Gas Corporation – DEPA, Greece

Sotiris Nikas, President & CEO, Hellenic Gas Transmission System Operator – DESFA, Greece

Panayotis Kanellopoulos, Managing Director, M&M Gas S.A., Greece

The View from the Region

Ron Adam, Ambassador, Special Envoy on Energy, OECD coordinator, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Israel

Katerina Papalexandri, Country Manager Greece, TAP

Albert Nahas, Vice President, International Affairs, Tellurian Inc., U.S.A.

Dr. Theodore Tsakiris, Assistant Professor, Geopolitics & Hydrocarbons, University of Nicosia, Cyprus & Scientific Adviser Athens Energy Forum

Introduction & Chair: Alex Lagakos, Founding Chairman, Greek Energy Forum| Member, Sustainable Energy Committee

United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

16.00 Networking Break

16.30 Panel 4: The Domestic and Regional Electricity Market Dynamics

ADMIE: The day after the ownership unbundling

Manousos Manousakis, Chairman and CEO, Transmission System Planning Department, IPTO S.A., Greece

  • The continuous need for complete market liberalization
  • Progress report on the Inter-connectivity between the Islands and Mainland Greece

Prof. Nikos Chatziargyriou, Chairman & CEO, Hellenic Electricity Distribution Network Operator S.A.- HEDNO, Greece

Stavros Goutsos, Deputy CEO, Public Power Corporation, Greece

Dinos Benroubi, General Manager Electric Power Business Unit, MYTILINEOS, Greece

Introduction & Chair: Dr. Athanassios S. Dagoumas, Assistant Professor in Energy and Resource Economics, University of Piraeus

17.15 End of the 1st Day of the Forum Co-hosted by

FRIDAY | February 16

09.30 Arrival of Delegates – Coffee/Tea

10.00 KEYNOTE SPEECH: Dr. Stelios Himonas, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Energy, Commerce, Industry and Tourism, Cyprus

10.15 Panel 5: Regional Upstream Developments: Political, Regulatory and Economic Challenges

  • The results of Cyprus’ Third Licensing Round and the Onisiphoros Discovery
  • Future exploration prospects in Egypt and Israel and Lebanon’s untapped potential
  • The entry of Exxon and Total in the Greek Upstream market
  • Lebanon – The award of 2 offshore Blocks to TOTAL / ENI / Novatek

The national perspective

Yannis Bassias, President & CEO, Hellenic Hydrocarbons Resources Management S.A., Greece

Yannis Grigoriou, General Manager Exploration & Production of Hydrocarbons, Hellenic Petroleum SA

The regional perspective

Dr. Constantinos Hadjistassou, Ass. Professor, School of Sciences & Engineering, University of Nicosia

Bernard Clement, Vice President for Caspian and Southern Europe, Total E&P, France

Roudi Baroudi, CEO, Energy & Environment Holding, Qatar

Introduction & Chair: Dr. Theodore Tsakiris, Assistant Professor, Geopolitics & Hydrocarbons, University of Nicosia, Cyprus &

Scientific Adviser Athens Energy Forum

11.15 Networking Break

11.45 Panel 6: Sustainable development – climate change and energy

  • Making energy technologies cleaner
  • Responsible steps to cut carbon pollution
  • Winning the global race for clean energy innovation

The evolving policy framework

Dr. Dionysia Avgerinopoulou, f. Chairman of the Standing Committee for the Environment of the Hellenic Parliament

Konstantinos Xifaras, Secretary General, World Energy Council, Hellenic National Committee

A focus on cleaner and alternative fuels

Dr. Spyros Kiartzis, Manager New Technologies & Alternative Energy Sources, Hellenic Petroleum S.A.

Dionissis Christodoulopoulos, Managing Director, MAN Diesel & Turbo Hellas Ltd, Greece

Introduction & Chair: Zoi Vrontisi, Chairwoman, National Center for the Environment & Sustainable Development Co-hosted by

12.30 Panel 7: RES, Energy Efficiency and Technological Innovation

  • RES as a means of energy security
  • Energy efficiency technologies as a new area for growth
  • Overcoming regulatory hurdles for RES development

Harris Damaskos, Associate, EBRD

Professor Xenophon E. Verykios, Managing Director, Helbio Hydrogen & Energy Systems, Greece

Zisimos Daniil Mantas, Chief Business Development Officer, Eunice Energy Group, Greece

Introduction & Chair: Miltos Aslanoglou, Energy Regulation Expert, Greece

13.00 End of Forum



Cyprus new gas discovery holds 6 to 8 tcf, ENI says

 

A natural gas field offshore Cyprus is believed to hold between six and eight trillion cubic feet, Italian energy firm ENI has said.

Speaking at an industry event in Cairo on Monday, CEO Claudio Descalzi said an appraisal well would have to be drilled to understand the real volumes of a recent discovery at Calypso 1, which was announced last week.

Asked whether it is believed to hold around 6 to 8 trillion cubic feet, Descalzi said: “It could be more or in that range… for sure it cannot be less but we have to understand it … It’s a good find that has merit to go ahead with additional investment.”

An analysis of data following a collection of fluids and rock samples revealed that Calypso “is a promising gas discovery and confirms the extension of the ‘Zohr-like’ play” into the Cypriot EEZ, ENI said in a company statement.
Zohr, a supergiant gas field discovered by ENI in 2015 in adjacent Egyptian waters, holds an estimated 30 trillion cubic feet (tcf) of resources in place.

Eni has been present in Cyprus since 2013 and has interests in six licenses located in the EEZ of Cyprus (in Blocks 2, 3, 6, 8, 9 and 11), five of which are operated.

The gas in the new discovery will presumably be exported, since Cyprus’s potential for consumption of natural gas is estimated at just 1 BCM annually. Cyprus still uses polluting fuel oil to produce electricity. To abide by the European program for reducing polluting emissions and to switch to using natural gas immediately, Cyprus is gearing up for imports of liquefied natural gas.

Up to now, only one gas reservoir, Aphrodite, has been discovered in Cypriot waters. Aphrodite is owned by Noble Energy and Shell. The reservoir, which contains 4.5 TCF of natural gas, was discovered in 2010, and has yet to be developed.



Renewable energy fast becoming a consumer utility

One step forward and countless steps back. That’s the general feeling about the past year. The world’s effort to tackle climate change was hindered when the Trump Administration backed out of America’s commitment to the Paris Climate Accord whilst
still supporting the use of fossil fuels. But, lost in the kerfuff le of sceptics are great stories of progress and advancements made by nations and private organisations with their warm embrace of renewable energy, many in America itself. Here’s a look at 2017’s
biggest climate change and renewable energy headlines:

1) China to invest $361bn into renewable fuel by 2020 (January 4) The world’s largest energy market continued its eff ort to shift from coal to cleaner fuels with a massive $361bn investment in renewable energy. Wind, hydro, solar and nuclear will contribute to over half of the new power generated by 2020, along with creating 13mn jobs in the sector. China will also invest over 1tn yuan (~ $150bn) on solar power, adding close to 1,000 more plants and increasing the solar power capacity by five folds.

2) In the US, there are now twice as many solar workers as coal miners (February 7) Though accounting for just 1.3% of America’s electricity, solar power now hires twice as many people as the coal industry.

As more people equip their homes and businesses with solar panels, the labour-intensive nature of installation and maintenance is creating demand for workers.

3) Eleven EU members have already met renewable energy targets (March 14) The EU 2020 strategy, which aims at increasing the renewables share of the gross final energy consumption to 20%, has already been met by 11 members — three years before the 2020 deadline. The members have further committed to raising the EU target to 27% by 2030.

4) Western US states continue pursuit of clean energy despite Trump’s policies (April 1) Despite Trump’s hell-bent attempt at undoing years of environmental protection regulations and Obama’s renewable energy policies, several western US states are pushing ahead with plans to make their economies greener. There is more than politics at stake, as renewable energy is seen as important to the region’s health — both economically and environmentally. States like Oregon, California, Colorado and New Mexico plan to reduce carbon emission levels through investments, tax credits and ‘cap and trade’ programmes.\

5) Germany achieve a new energy record — renewables generating 85% of electricity (May 10) Renewables were the source of 85% of the electricity consumed by Germany on April 30 2017. With the wind, hydro and solar generating most of the electricity required, the coal-fired power plants had a Sunday’s rest. Germany’s ambitious 2050 plan to reduce the carbon emission levels to 20% of the 1990 levels seems well within grasp.

6) 100% Renewable Energy By 2035 supported by 1,400 Mayors across the US (June 27th) Some 1,400 mayors from across the USA have joined hands to pass a resolution aiming to make cities completely sustainable by 2035. Renegading against the Trump administration’s environmentally regressive proposals — promoting the use of coal and petroleum — the local and state off icials are embracing renewable energy instead. It also sends a message to the world, that the local politicians are ready to bypass the federal government to collaborate and lend international support towards a cleaner future. The group also plans to urge Trump and Congress to implement climate change response policies and support off -shore wind development.

7) Nuclear takes a back seat to renewables for the first time since 1984 (July 6) After a span of 33 years, renewables overtook nuclear in the US for the months of March and April. New wind and solar plants; accompanied by heavy snow and rainfall fuelling the hydroelectric generators have spiked the power outputs from renewable energy sources. It also comes at a time when issues over nuclear power’s cost and safety have come into question.

8) Study finds renewable energy prevented 12,700 premature deaths over nine-year period, (August 17) In a study by Nature Energy, the expansive adoption of renewable energy and the resulting decrease in environmental pollution have saved 12,700 pre-mature deaths in the period of 2007 to 2015. The lower emissions result in people living healthier lives by avoiding respiratory and cardiac problems associated with breathing polluted air. The improvement in health has saved the US $220bn, accounting for lower healthcare costs and fewer sick days. According to another study by Quartz, the US spent $50bn to $80bn on renewable energy subsidies in the same time period and saw climate and healthcare benefits worth half the taxpayer’s money. Renewables are proving to be a worthwhile longterm investment.

9) Harnessing water evaporation energy could be a promising fresh source of renewable energy (September 26) Wind, solar and hydro are the most commonly talked about renewable energies. There is a new groundbreaking technology in works — harnessing the energy from evaporation. Scientists exploring the idea think the potential for evaporation harvesting is similar to that of wind and solar. The Great Lakes have enough evaporation energy to fulfil 70% of the US’ electricity demand. A machine called the Evaporation Engine contains tiny spores spread over water. The spores expand and shrink as they absorb and release water due to the heat. The motion of the spores can be harnessed to produce electricity.

10) Solar power in high demand and the number-one source of new energy (October 4) Solar energy outpaced all other forms of power sources in 2016. While renewables accounted for two thirds of the new power added, solar technology was the most popular. Solar is likely to stay at the top, with high demands from China, India, the USA and Japan.

11) Google is now entirely fuelled by sun and wind (November 30) One of the world’s largest Tech Companies, Google, now powers all its infrastructure through wind and solar energy. With depleting costs in wind and solar, Google has completely switched to renewables and is currently the largest corporate customer of clean energy on the planet, with an annual billing of $3.5bn globally.

12) Elon Musk renewable energy switch on the largest ever lithium-ion battery (December 1) After promising the largest lithiumion battery in 100 days, Elon Musk delivered to South Australia in less than two-thirds of that time. The 129-megawatt battery will store energy generated by the Hornsdale Wind Farm and dispatch electricity during shortages, variability and blackouts; reducing reliance on coalpowered plants for backups. The highlights from 2017 are an indication of the progress renewables are making as a consumer utility. The unrivalled innovation, adoption and support will carry forward the conversation and help leapfrog clean energies beyond fossil fuels in 2018.