We are delighted to invite you to
GIE Annual Conference 2023
Hotel Radisson Blu Latvija Conference & Spa Hotel
On the programme: two days of interactive discussions and networking activities
at the heart of the Baltics in Riga.
GIE Annual Conference is a unique experience where you will be able to access in-depth and engaging panel discussions tackling the timeliest topics. Hear about the latest policy and technical developments in energy, transport and trade industries and address your questions to a broad selection of high-level experts.
Taking place in June, the movers and shakers of the EU bubble will take the floor to assess 2023’s first half while identifying the priorities and challenges for the coming months and years.
For this 20th edition, Conexus Baltic Grid will have the privilege of hosting this unmissable event in Riga, the capital of their country. Have you ever been? We invite you to find further information on this charming destination below.
It’s time to secure your spot!
Register today!
Thursday, 15 June 2023
8:30 – 10:00 | Doors opening
Registrations & Welcome coffee
10:00 – 10:15 | 15 min | Opening remarks | Fostering security of supply for a decarbonised world
Moderated by Sasha Twining, Master of Ceremony & Energy reporter
- Kadri Simson | EU Commissioner for Energy, European Commission
- Uldis Bariss | Conexus Baltic Grid Chairman of the Board
- Boyana Achovski | GIE Secretary General & Torben Brabo | GIE President
- Interview with ChatGPT
Short term
10:15 – 11:00 | 45 min | Panel | The Great Gas Debate: Perspectives on the Global Gas Market
How will global natural gas dynamics play out in 2023/2024/2025?
Could we see a rebound in industrial gas consumption at the current price levels?
Will we see continued extreme volatility?
Moderated by Anne-Sophie Corbeau | Global Research Scholar at the Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs
- Arno Büx | GLE President and Fluxys Chief Commercial Officer
- Teodora Georgieva | IGB Interconnector
- Kiril Temelkov | Bulgarian Gas Association Deputy Chairman
- Tomas Marzec-Manser | ICIS Head of Gas Analytics
How well is the EU facing the global challenges ahead of the next winter?
11:00 – 11:30 | 30 min | Interview | Towards EU’s 2030 energy & climate targets: a bumpy ride or a walk in the park?
What are the challenges in achieving 2030 energy and climate targets?
Are EU regulations fit for purpose in an ever-changing global energy market?
————————-Coffee Break (11h30-11h50 | 20 min)————————-
11:50 – 12:30 | 40 min | Panel | EU’s industries have their say. What’s in store for them?
Is the EU accelerating the deployment of renewables fast enough? How are high prices impacting the industry? What are the solutions and alternatives to decarbonising the industry while ensuring the security of supply?
Moderated by Anne-Sophie Corbeau | Global Research Scholar at the Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs
- Antoine Hoxha | Fertilizer Europe Director-General
- Jurgita Šilinskaite-Vensloviene | Klaipėdos Nafta Head of LNG Commerce
- James Watson | Eurogas Secretary General
12:30 – 12:40 | 10 min | GIEtalk | Strengthening security of supply & solidarity with market transparency
- Ákos Kriston | GIE Board member, GIE Transparency WG Co-chair and Hungarian Gas Storage CEO
————————-Lunch break (1 hour | 12h40-13h40)————————-
13:40 – 14:25 | 45 min | Panel | Zooming in on the Baltics: united for a well-integrated and interconnected EU gas market
How are the Baltics affected by security of supply issues?
How fast are the Baltics decarbonising the energy system while ensuring the affordability of energy sources?
Moderated by Sasha Twining, Master of Ceremony & Energy reporter
- Representative from Latvian Ministry
- Representative from Finnish Ministry
- Representative from Lithuanian Ministry
- Representative from Estonian Ministry
Methane emissions: What do we expect from this regulation?
14:25 – 15:10 | 45 min | Panel | Climax methane emissions
What do we expect from this regulation?
How will it impact the gas sector?
What are the most successful solutions that reduce methane emissions?
Moderated by Claudia Patricolo | CEEnergy News Editor in Chief
- Kitti Nyitrai | DG ENER, European Commission
- Maria Olczak | Queen Mary of the University of London
- Francisco P. de la Flor | GIE SODA Sponsor & Enagás Director
- Karolina Cegir | Energy Community Senior Gas expert
15:10 – 15:20 | 10 min | GIEtalk | Satellite to detect Methane emissions globally
- Alba Lorente | Scientist at Environmental Defense Fund
————————-Coffee break (15 min | 15:20-15:35)————————-
Midterm
The show must go on.
Full steam ahead towards renewable and low-carbon molecules.
15:35 – 16:15 | 40 min | Interview | Hydrogen: are regulations a booster or a showstopper?
How does it serve RepowerEU? Are we producing hydrogen fast enough and in enough volumes? Is hydrogen ready to take on the job of decarbonising the EU?
Moderated by Pieter van Aartsen | GIE Board Member & Gasunie
Keynote speech by MEP Jens Geier | S&D, Germany
- MEP Maria Spyraki | Member ITRE Committee, European Parliament
- Ralph Bahke | GIE Hydrogen Area Sponsor
- Dennis Hesseling | ACER Head of Gas Department
16:15 – 16:25 | 10 min | GIEtalk | Security of supply and decarbonisation go hand in hand. Here is how.
How can infrastructure operators integrate more renewable and low-carbon gases in the most cost-efficient way while still maintaining the security of supply?
- Christoph Riechmann | Frontier Economics
- Catherine Galano | Frontier Economics
16:25 – 17:10 | 45 min | Panel | Happy three friends? Gas, hydrogen, electricity and the makeup of the Electricity Market Design.
What will be the value of underground hydrogen storage?
Will gas pipelines get a second life in Europe’s hydrogen economy?
How to balance the gas infrastructure and electricity grid development?
Keynote speech by MEP Nicolás GONZÁLEZ CASARES
Moderated by Torben Brabo | GIE President
- Ilaria Conti | Florence School of Regulation Head of the Gas Area
- Pierre Tardieu | WindEurope Chief Policy Officer
- Cillian O’Donoghue | Eurelectric Policy Director
- Piotr Kuś | ENTSOG General Director
17:10 – 17:20 | 10 min | GIEtalk | Will hydrogen make the world go round?
How will the global trade of hydrogen look? Who will be the first movers?
How to bring everyone on board to produce and export hydrogen?
- Timo Bollerhey | H2Global representative
Friday, 16 June 2023
09:30 – 10h00 | Doors opening
Registrations & Welcome coffee
How will the EU reach 35 bcm of biomethane by 2030?
10:00 – 10:40 | 40 min | Panel | On a mission: Decarbonising economy with biomethane.
What potential for biomethane in the EU clean energy mix? What are the current obstacles to biomethane development? What are the benefits of biomethane?
Moderated by Erik Kolstø | GIE Board member
- Harmen Dekker | European Biogas Association (EBA) CEO & Biomethane Industrial Partnership (BIP) representative
- Padraig Fleming | GIE Biomethane Working Group Chair
- Pawel Stanczak to Deputy CEO for the Development and Transformation
10:40 – 10:55 | 15 min | GIETalk | Project presenter: Biomethane project presentation
- Niels Træholt Franck | Energinet Senior Engineer
—————————Coffee break (20 min | 10:55-11:15)—————————
Long-term
11:15-12:00 | 45 min | Panel | Diversity, inclusivity & equity: The cornerstones for the success of energy transition & a clean world
Is the energy transition accelerating the opportunities for greater workforce diversity? If so, how? What initiatives should energy companies develop to create a diverse and inclusive workplace?
Moderated by Boyana Achovski | GIE Secretary General
- Olga Bogdanova | Chair of Latvian Committee at World Energy Council
- Karina Viskuba | Member of World Energy Council National Future Energy Leaders
- Edgars Smiltans| Conexus Baltic Grid
- Anatolijs Borodinecs | Institute of Heat, Gas & Water technology
- Andra Jesinska Developer and coordinator of education system for Conexus
12:00-12:45 | 45 min | Panel | The must-awaited integrated energy ecosystem in 2050.
Looking back, what did the energy sector do to become integrated by 2050?
What were the obstacles along the way? And the opportunities?
Moderated by Jean-Marc Leroy | France Gaz President
- Paula Pinho | DG ENER, European Commission
- Charlotte Roule | Storengy CEO
- Anise Ganbold | Head of Research, Global Energy Markets & Hydrogen Aurora Energy Research
12:45 – 13:00 | 15 min | Series of speeches | Towards 2024 & beyond
- Torben Brabo | GIE President
- Closing remarks
——————————End of the conference——————————
Stay tuned!
List of speakers coming soon.
About the host
Conexus Baltic Grid is a unified natural gas transmission and storage operator in Latvia. „Conexus Baltic Grid” operates one of the most modern natural gas storage facilities in Europe – Inčukalns underground gas storage, which is an important strategic object in the whole Baltic Sea region, providing energy security and independence for the whole region. Inčukalns UGS is seamlessly integrated into the Finnish-Baltic gas market and beyond via „Conexus Baltic Grid” natural gas transmission system. Learn more
About GIE Annual Conference
GIE Annual Conference is the place to be to meet and greet with the movers and the shakers of the energy world. Every year, it takes place in the most vibrant destinations of Europe to enable local energy players to encounter European leaders.
As we value an inclusive and collaborative energy transition, GIE conference gives the floor to leaders from multiple regions, sectors, generations, and genders. Being organised by GIE, the association of the gas infrastructure operators, the event welcomes actors from various horizons including gas, electricity, renewables, trading, academia and policy makers.
It provides attendees with updates on the most innovative solutions and policy developments enhancing decarbonisation and security of supply. This year again, multiple concrete projects involving renewable and low-carbon gases infrastructures will be presented and debated between multiple experts.