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GIE Annual Conference 2026 @ Ljubljana

22 October - 23 October

€995.00 – €1,295.00

Joining forces in Ljubljana!

We are delighted to invite you to the 23rd GIE Annual Conference, taking place on 22 and 23 October 2026 at the Grand Hotel Union Eurostars, in the vibrant city of Ljubljana, Slovenia.

As GIE’s flagship event, the Annual Conference brings together policy-makers, industry leaders, and energy experts to explore the developments and future trends shaping Europe’s energy future. Under this year’s theme Infrastructure for a Net-Zero Europe, discussions will focus on how gas infrastructure can accelerate decarbonisation, strengthen energy security, and enable an integrated, resilient energy system.

Our Conference Host

We are proud to collaborate with our hosting partner, Plinovodi d.o.o., the operator of the Slovenian gas transmission system, which operates, maintains, and develops a safe, reliable, and technologically advanced gas infrastructure. With extensive experience and a highly skilled workforce, Plinovodi plays a key role in ensuring security of supply, supporting energy system stability, and strengthening Slovenia’s integration into the European energy market. As a trusted and responsible partner, the company actively contributes to the development of energy infrastructure in Slovenia and the wider region.

Plinovodi is actively driving the energy transition in line with Slovenia’s strategic objectives to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and accelerate the integration of renewable gases. A key focus is the preparation of gas infrastructure for green hydrogen and other renewable gases, such as biomethane. Through innovation, partnership, and long-term vision, Plinovodi is helping to shape a sustainable low-carbon gas ecosystem and a resilient energy future for Slovenia. To support this transition, Plinovodi has established the SLOH2U Platform, bringing together industrial users and key stakeholders to support their preparation for the future shift from natural gas to hydrogen.

23rd GIE Conference Programme

Building on the success of the 2025 conference in Athens, this year’s conference will feature an exceptional programme including strategic panel discussions, keynote interventions, and exclusive networking opportunities designed to foster collaboration across the energy value chain.

Join the conversation as we unite industry leaders, policymakers, and energy experts to advance solutions supporting Europe’s transition to climate neutrality. Together, we will explore how infrastructure investments, technological innovations, and cross-sector cooperation can deliver a secure, resilient, and future‑proof energy system.

We look forward to joining forces with you in Ljubljana for an inspiring conference experience!

(Registration at reduced Early Bird rate available until 24 July!)

The GIE Conference Team

Register

GIE offers registration at a reduced Early-Bird Rate until 24 July 2026.

– Registration before 24 July 2026 : 995 EUR (Early-Bird Rate)
– Registration after 24 July 2026 : 1295 EUR (Full Rate)

Are you representing the press, academia or EU Institutions? Good news, you can benefit from special rates!
Press and journalists are not required to pay the conference fee and a special rate applies for Academics.

Please contact GIE with your request to attend the conference.

Steps to register:

1. Payment:

Payment for the conference fee can be made by Visa, Mastercard, American Express, iDEAL or Bancontact immediately after filling in your registration form. Online registration happens within a secure environment. You will receive an invoice by e-mail immediately following your payment

You can also pay by bank transfer : in this case, the registration to the conference is confirmed once the payment has been received.
You will receive an invoice by e-mail after your registration.
Please choose your preferred payment method in the registration form.

2. Confirmation Email:

You will receive a confirmation email after your registration.


 

Speakers

Check here for an overview of all confirmed speakers and their biographies.

Arno Büx

Arno Büx

President, GIE, CEO, FluxSwiss, SVP Corporate Commercial, Fluxys Group

Arno Büx

Arno Büx

President, GIE, CEO, FluxSwiss, SVP Corporate Commercial, Fluxys Group


Arno Büx is Senior Vice President Corporate Commercial of the Fluxys Group. Since November 1st, 2024, he is also CEO of FluxSwiss , the group’s Swiss affiliate.

Arno Büx is GIE President since October 2024. He also served as GLE President between 2019 and 2023.

Before joining Fluxys, he has evolved within the Engie Group for 20 years, working in Belgium, France and Luxemburg but mostly contributing to the development of the Group’s energy activities in Germany. He held various executive and non-executive management positions in businesses targeting the B2B and B2C commodity markets as well as the gas midstream sector.

Arno Büx holds degrees in Engineering and Business Administration as well as a certificate in Corporate Governance.


Arno Büx

Lucie Boost

Lucie Boost

Secretary General, GIE

Lucie Boost

Lucie Boost

Secretary General, GIE


As Head of Public Affairs for Europe at Air Products, Lucie Boost led a team responsible for European and national energy affairs, focusing on key markets such as the UK, the Netherlands, Germany, and Spain. Her expertise encompasses hydrogen, the integrated energy market, and CCUS, aligning perfectly with GIE’s strategic priorities.

Prior to joining Air Products in January 2023, Lucie spent 13 years at Equinor, where she held various leadership positions in natural gas sales, regulatory affairs, and public affairs. During her tenure at Equinor, she gained extensive experience in gas regulation, hydrogen, and CCS, representing the company in esteemed organisations such as Eurogas, the European Federation of Energy Traders, the International Association of Oil & Gas Producers, the Zero Emissions Platform, and Hydrogen Europe.

Lucie holds a Licence degree in Political Science and International Relations from the Vrije Universiteit Brussels and is proficient in Dutch, English, and French.

Christoph von dem Bussche

Christoph von dem Bussche

Managing Director, GASCADE, President, ENNOH

Christoph von dem Bussche

Christoph von dem Bussche

Managing Director, GASCADE, President, ENNOH


Christoph von dem Bussche is Managing Director of the German transmission system operators GASCADE Gastransport GmbH and NEL Gastransport GmbH, which connect Germany with five neighboring European countries via their transport system. GASCADE plans to convert important parts of its transmission system to hydrogen transport and is involved in several hydrogen infrastructure projects on land and at sea.

Von dem Bussche holds a doctorate in chemistry and began his professional career in 1993 at BASF in Ludwigshafen. Before becoming Managing Director of GASCADE in 2009 and Managing Director of NEL in 2012, he held various senior positions in the oil and gas sector of the group, including European gas sales and strategic planning.

Christoph von dem Bussche has been a member of the ENTSOG Board of Directors since 2016. In addition, he has been a member of the board of the AquaVentus Förderverein since 2020. The association pursues the goal of making large quantities of green hydrogen produced offshore available to the German and European hydrogen market via an offshore pipeline.

Cyril Harry

Cyril Harry

Head of Gas Asset Regulation & Analysis, ENGIE, Vice-Chair WG Power & Gas Interactions, Eurelectric

Cyril Harry

Cyril Harry

Head of Gas Asset Regulation & Analysis, ENGIE, Vice-Chair WG Power & Gas Interactions, Eurelectric


Cyril Harry, Head of Gas Asset Regulation & Analysis, ENGIE Cyril is Head of Gas Asset Regulation & Analysis within the Global Energy Management & Sales Entity of ENGIE, being responsible for regulatory and market design files related to gas supply & assets management in Europe. He is also co-chairing the WG Power & Gas Interactions within Eurelectric, which represents the interests of the electricity industry at pan-European level. Holding engineering degrees in thermal power & aerospace propulsion, he gained a 25-year experience into the energy sector through various positions in renewables (wind power industry), electricity market liberalization (French Regulatory Authority), trading & portfolio management and energy markets design topics at ENGIE.

Milan Sedláček

Milan Sedláček

Head of EU Affairs & Strategy, Eustream, President Gas Transmission Europe (GTE)
Milan Sedláček

Milan Sedláček

Head of EU Affairs & Strategy, Eustream, President Gas Transmission Europe (GTE)

Dr. Milan Sedláček is the Head of EU Affairs and Strategy at Eustream, a.s. , the gas transmission system operator of Slovakia, which operates gas import corridor for the EU. Milan has 30 years of experience in gas transmission.

Throughout his career in gas transmission, he has held various managerial positions focused on business, regulation and strategy. He has overseen transmission capacity sales, business development and strategic initiatives, always with a strong emphasis on regulatory affairs.

Milan has been responsible for and has collaborated on numerous projects, particularly those related to the introduction of third-party access to the transmission network, transparency, unbundling, network codes, and EU affairs.

Additionally, an integral part of his activities involves participation in EU gas associations. Since 2023 he has served as the president of Gas Transmission Europe (GTE) and vice-president of Gas Infrastructure Europe (GIE).


Milan Sedláček

Jorgo Chatzimarkakis

Jorgo Chatzimarkakis

CEO, Hydrogen Europe
Jorgo Chatzimarkakis

Jorgo Chatzimarkakis

CEO, Hydrogen Europe

Jorgo Chatzimarkakis has been working at Hydrogen Europe since 2016. He currently holds the position of CEO of the association. He previously covered roles in the planning department of the Foreign Office of Germany, at Infineon Technologies and was Member of the European Parliament (2004-2014) inter alia in the ITRE Committee (Industry, Technology, Research and Energy) where he could contribute to lay the cornerstone for the first and the second Joint Undertaking on hydrogen and fuel cells. He was awarded Hydrogen Person of the Year at the World Hydrogen Awards 2022, “as a major player promoting hydrogen in Europe and world-wide, accelerating collaboration and industry development”.
Jorgo was born in Duisburg, Germany. He holds German and Greek nationality, and a degree in political science from the University of Bonn.


Jorgo Chatzimarkakis
@chatzimarkakis

Anne-Sophie Corbeau

Anne-Sophie Corbeau

Global Research Scholar, Center on Global Energy Policy, Columbia University SIPA

Anne-Sophie Corbeau

Anne-Sophie Corbeau

Global Research Scholar, Center on Global Energy Policy, Columbia University SIPA


Anne-Sophie Corbeau is a Global Research Scholar at the Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs. Her research focuses on hydrogen and natural gas. Anne-Sophie has over 20 years of experience in the energy industry and is a recognized expert on natural gas. She is the author of many publications focusing on gas, LNG markets, Asia, China, India and Africa, including the book “LNG markets in transition: the great reconfiguration” (Oxford, 2016). She is also a member of the Gastech governing body.

Prior to joining the Center, Mrs. Corbeau was a senior Leader and head of gas analysis at BP, where she was responsible for advising the Leadership Team on gas market developments and long term pricing assumptions. As part of the Economic and Energy Insights team, she was leading the Energy Outlook’s analysis on gas, industry, nuclear and hydrogen. She also served as a member of BP France’s Comex (board). Before joining BP, she was a Research Fellow at KAPSARC (King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center) in Riyadh where she set up and expanded the natural gas program. She also worked for the International Energy Agency (IEA) where she was responsible for managing the research on global gas markets, and for IHS CERA.

She began her career as an engineer working on fuel cells and hydrogen at Peugeot and Debis Systemhaus. Anne-Sophie holds an MSc from the Ecole Centrale Paris and an MSc from the University of Stuttgart.


Anne-Sophie Corbeau

Dennis Hesseling

Dennis Hesseling

Head of Gas and Coal Markets Division
International Energy Agency (IEA)

Dennis Hesseling

Dennis Hesseling

Head of Gas and Coal Markets Division
International Energy Agency (IEA)


Dr. Dennis Hesseling took up duties as Head of the Gas, Coal and Power Markets Division in July 2023.

From December 2012 to June 2023, Dr. Hesseling was Head of the Infrastructure, Gas & Retail Department at the EU Agency for the Co-operation of Energy Regulators (ACER) where he was responsible for the Agency’s activities in the areas of energy infrastructure, gas markets, and energy retail, and was also the Agency’s representative to the Energy Community Regulatory Board.

Before joining ACER, Dr. Hesseling worked as Head of Unit in the Competition Department of the Netherland Competition Authority NMa (ACM) where he had responsibility for merger control and antitrust enforcement in the Dutch energy, telecommunications and media sectors. Prior to that, he worked in the NMa’s Energy Regulation department from 2002 onwards working mainly on gas issues. From 2000 he worked as a management consultant for McKinsey & Company in Brussels providing strategic and operational advice to postal companies and banks.

Dr. Hesseling holds a PhD in Mathematics from Utrecht University, The Netherlands. He received additional training at McKinsey, business school IMD in Lausanne and the Dutch Programme for Prospective Top Civil Servants. Dr. Hesseling trained energy regulators and competition authorities in Romania, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Turkey and Vietnam as well as political parties in various African countries


Dennis Jesseling
@Dehessel

Jack Sharples

Jack Sharples

Senior Research Fellow and Head of Gas Research
Oxford Institute for Energy Studies

Jack Sharples

Jack Sharples

Senior Research Fellow and Head of Gas Research
Oxford Institute for Energy Studies


Jack Sharples is Senior Research Fellow and Head of Research for the Gas Research Programme at OIES. Jack joined the Institute in January 2018. He holds a PhD and MSc in Russian and East European Studies from the University of Glasgow, and a BA in Politics from the University of York. Prior to joining the Institute, he spent four years as a Lecturer in Energy Politics and International Relations at the European University in St Petersburg. Outside OIES, he has been the author of the ‘Gazprom Monitor’ monthly analytical reports for the European Geopolitical Forum (Brussels) since June 2012.

Beyond his OIES publications, he is also the author of several academic journal articles and book chapters, including: ‘The international political economy of Eastern European energy security: Russia, Ukraine, and the European Union’ (2018); ‘Europe’s largest natural gas producer in an era of climate change: Gazprom’ (2017) ‘Energy transitions in carbon-producing countries: Russia’ (2016); ‘Building the Energy Union: the problem of cross-border gas pipeline interconnections in Baltic, Central, and South-Eastern Europe’ (2016); ‘The importance of gas storage facilities in the European gas and power markets’ (2016); ‘The shifting geopolitics of Russia’s gas exports and the impact on EU Russia gas relations’ (2016); and ‘Russian gas supplies to Europe: the likelihood, and potential impact, of an interruption in gas transit via Ukraine’ (2016).

Areas of Expertise

Political economy of natural gas in Europe and Russia; Supply-demand dynamics on the European gas market; Supply-demand dynamics on the global LNG market


Jack Sharples

Luis Ignacio Parada

Luis Ignacio Parada

President, GLE, Energy Policy & Regulation Director, Enagás

Luis Ignacio Parada

Luis Ignacio Parada

President, GLE, Energy Policy & Regulation Director, Enagás


Luis Ignacio Parada is EU Energy Policy & Regulation Director at Enagás, the main gas transmission, LNG and gas storage operator in Spain. He has 25 years of experience in the energy sector, where he has specialised in energy economics, gas and hydrogen sector regulation and energy policy. Before joining Enagás, Luis started his career in 1998 at Gas Natural, and worked in NERA Economic Consulting from 2001 to 2004. Since May 2023 he has served as Board member in ENTSOG and in GIE (Gas Infrastructure Europe), and since January 2024 he has been serving as President in GLE (Gas LNG Europe). He is also engaged as Board member in EASEE-gas since March 2019, and was a member of the Executive Committee of GTE (Gas Transmission Europe) from December 2020 to May 2023. Luis Ignacio holds an Executive MBA from IESE Business School and a MSc. in Applied Economics. He graduated in Economics at Universidad de Salamanca (Spain).

 

Maciej Ciszewski

Maciej Ciszewski

Maciej Ciszewski
Head of Unit of Diversification of Strategy and Joint Purchasing, 
DG ENER, European Commission

Maciej Ciszewski

Maciej Ciszewski

Maciej Ciszewski
Head of Unit of Diversification of Strategy and Joint Purchasing, 
DG ENER, European Commission


Maciej Ciszewski has been working at the European Commission since 2008, focusing on energy markets. Since 2022, he has been leading the development of the EU Energy Platform, AggregateEU, and is currently working on new mechanisms for demand aggregation and joint purchasing of hydrogen and its derivatives, gases, and critical raw materials.

Between 2021 and 2022, he served as Advisor to the Director-General of DG Energy, Ditte Juul Jørgensen, on matters related to the internal energy market, security of supply, and international energy relations. From 2008 to 2014, he worked at DG Competition on antitrust cases in the energy sector.

He holds an MSc in Engineering, a degree in International Economics, and an MA from the College of Europe in Bruges.

Pierre Duvieusart

Pierre Duvieusart

President, ENTSOG
Deputy CEO, Natran

Pierre Duvieusart

Pierre Duvieusart

President, ENTSOG
Deputy CEO, Natran


Pierre Duvieusart is ENTSOG President and serves as Deputy CEO of NaTran, a leading European natural gas transmission system operator. He also chairs the Supervisory Board of NaTran Deutschland.

With 30 years of experience in the energy sector, Pierre began his career as an engineer and subsequently held key positions in various companies, focusing on business development, financial control, investor relations, and financing. In 2012, he joined NaTran as Chief Financial Officer.

Since his appointment as Deputy CEO in September 2018, Pierre has been instrumental in steering NaTran’s operational management and strategic direction, particularly in advancing the company’s energy transition initiatives.

Pierre holds degrees in Engineering and Business Administration.

François-Régis Mouton

François-Régis Mouton

Regional/Managing Director – Europe, IOGP

François-Régis Mouton

François-Régis Mouton

Regional/Managing Director – Europe, IOGP


François-Régis joined IOGP in January 2018. He has around 30 years of international experience in the oil and gas industry.

He is seconded to IOGP from TotalEnergies, where he was Vice President for Oil and Gas Advocacy. His career has taken him from reservoir engineering to business development, working in Europe and Africa. He has also served in senior advisory roles at the World Bank’s Gas Flaring Reduction Partnership and to TotalEnergies’ European Affairs office in Brussels.

In 2011, Francois-Regis founded GasNaturally, a Brussels-based partnership representing the entire European gas value chain. He served four terms as Chairman of GasNaturally and was instrumental in formulating the industry’s position on the future of gas in a post-COP21 environment.

Anna Slavkovská

Anna Slavkovská

Board Member, GIE
Managing Director, NAFTA Speicher Inzenham

Anna Slavkovská

Anna Slavkovská

Board Member, GIE
Managing Director, NAFTA Speicher Inzenham


Anna Slavkovská is a senior lawyer, an expert on regulatory issues on storage related topics. From September 2023 she is a member of the GIE board (Gas Infrastructure Europe). She is working for NAFTA a.s. a Slovak storage system operator and is also a managing director in one of the storages within NAFTA group – NAFTA Speicher Inzenham GmbH in Germany.

She is as well an active member of IGU (International gas union) storage committee.

Within her work in NAFTA she is also provides support in respect of decarbonization projects of the company and from 2023 she is also representing NAFTA in hydrogen storage alliance -  H2eart for Europe.

Isabelle Chaput

Isabelle Chaput

Secretary General, International Federation of Industrial Energy Consumers (IFIEC)

Isabelle Chaput

Isabelle Chaput

Secretary General, International Federation of Industrial Energy Consumers (IFIEC)


With a solid background of 25 year concrete experience in Sustainability, Energy & Climate, Resource Efficiency, I created my own business and set-up concrete projects related to Sustainability both for private organisations and public authorities. My network of key contacts within opinion leaders, private companies, NGO's and academics is a real asset for business development, effective partnerships and credible concrete solutions.


linkedin.com

Georg Dorfleutner

Georg Dorfleutner

Managing Director, RAG Energy Storage

Georg Dorfleutner

Georg Dorfleutner

Managing Director, RAG Energy Storage


Early Life and Education:

Georg Dorfleutner, born in 1977 in Austria, displayed a blend of analytical prowess and linguistic skill from an early age. His academic journey began at the Bundesrealgymnasium Geblergasse in Vienna, where he completed his University Entrance Diploma (Matura) in 1995, excelling in Descriptive Geometry, Mathematics, and French. Georg's intellectual curiosity and dedication to the law led him to the Universität Wien, where he earned a Degree in Law (Mag. iur.) in 2001, specializing in Administrative Law and Private International Law.

Career Path:

Georg's professional journey is marked by a series of strategic positions that leveraged his legal expertise within the energy sector. He began as a trainee lawyer at WDR RECHTSANWÄLTE followed by DULLINGER SCHNEIDER RECHTSANWÄLTE GMBH in August 2003, honing his legal skills until December 2007. Prior to this, he had completed internships at notable institutions such as SIEMENS AG ÖSTERREICH and MAG. DAGMAR NEYER’s law firm, and also served as a trainee at the OBERLANDESGERICHT WIEN. In addition, he dedicated a year to civil service at DER WÜRFEL from June 2002 to May 2003.

In January 2008, Georg joined RAG – ROHÖL-AUFSUCHUNGS AG as a Senior Legal Counsel, where he began to integrate his legal expertise with the energy sector's operational demands. His role evolved over time, leading him to become the Vice Executive Secretary at GIE – Gas Infrastructure Europe from October 2010 to September 2011, and subsequently the European Affairs Coordinator at RAG from October 2011 to December 2012.

Leadership at RAG Energy Storage GmbH:

Georg's career reached a pinnacle in January 2013, when he was appointed as the Managing Director of RAG Energy Storage GmbH in Vienna. In this role, he has been responsible for marketing, business development, strategy, legal matters, market monitoring and evaluation, as well as regulatory affairs in the gas industry. His influence extends beyond the company, as he actively engages in lobbying within European and national associations. Georg has been serving as the Vice President of GSE since 2013, as a Board Member of GIE since 2022 and as a Board Member of the NGVA from 2016 till 2023, highlighting his significant impact on the energy sector at a European level.

Eleonora Nagali

Eleonora Nagali

Team Leader – Market Data Policy, Market Information and Transparency
ACER

Eleonora Nagali

Eleonora Nagali

Team Leader – Market Data Policy, Market Information and Transparency
ACER


Eleonora Nagali, Ph.D., joined the European Union Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER) in April 2019 as Policy Officer in the Market Integrity and Transparency department. She is in charge of providing guidance to stakeholders on REMIT policy topics and on the transaction reporting obligation under REMIT. She is also dedicated to the monitoring of the energy market design evolution potentially relevant for the REMIT data collection, with particular reference to market coupling.

Before joining ACER, Eleonora has spent two years as Assistant to the Board at the Italian Regulatory Authority for Energy Networks and Environment (ARERA), and more than five years as senior analyst at the Italian energy exchange (GME) where she has been dedicated to the surveillance of the spot natural gas markets, REMIT compliance and Registered Reporting Mechanisms (RRM) management, and NEMO representative in several market coupling working groups.

Eleonora has a M.Sc. in physics and a Ph.D. in Material Science, with a specialization in quantum information, both from “La Sapienza” University of Rome, and an Executive Master in Energy Resources and Global Environmental Strategies from “Luiss Business School” University of Rome.

Ferencz I. Szabolcs

Ferencz I. Szabolcs

CEO and Chairman of the Board, FGSZ Hungarian gas Transmission Ltd.

Ferencz I. Szabolcs

Ferencz I. Szabolcs

CEO and Chairman of the Board, FGSZ Hungarian gas Transmission Ltd.


Szabolcs I. Ferencz received his BA in Economics from the University of Regensburg and pursued postgraduate studies in political science. Before joining MOL Group in 2003, he worked in government and political communications. Between 2003 – 2009 he held the position of Vice President MOL Group Corporate Communications, afterward he was CEO and Country Chairman of MOL Romania.

Since 2011 he hold the position of Senior Vice President of Group Corporate Affairs supervising international and domestic governmental relations for Regulatory and Public Affairs. Formerly he was also responsible for supervising Strategy Development and Corporate Communications. Mr. Ferencz was Member of the Supervisory Board of Slovnaft a. s. between 2012-2020, and between 2015 and 2018 he was Member of the Board of Directors of MET Group.

He is the Chair of the National Committee of the World Petroleum Council, Member of the Advisory Board of the Regional Centre for Energy Policy Research Foundation. He is founding partner of the SEED School for Executive Education and Development based in Budapest.

Mr. Ferencz has been appointed as CEO of FGSZ Ltd as of February 1, 2019 and elected as Chairman of the Board as of February 8, 2019. As of 1 July 2020, he is member of the Board of the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Gas (ENTSOG).


@Sz_I_Ferencz

Pieter van Aartsen

Pieter van Aartsen

Director Storage & Terminals
Gasunie

Pieter van Aartsen

Pieter van Aartsen

Director Storage & Terminals
Gasunie


As director venture governance, Pieter is responsible for the venture management of the Gasunie (co-)owned terminal, storage and interconnector assets. Additionally he is acting director for corporate strategy. Prior to taking up these role he was company secretary and responsible for the public and regulatory affairs departments. In addition to his role at Gasunie, he is member of the board of GIE, the association of gas infrastructure operators in Europe. Previously he has worked as policy advisor for energy and climate in the European Parliament.


Pieter van Aartsen

Thierry Grauwels

Thierry Grauwels

EU Director
Carbon Capture and Storage Association (CCSA)

Thierry Grauwels

Thierry Grauwels

EU Director
Carbon Capture and Storage Association (CCSA)


Thierry Grauwels is the EU Director at the CCSA.

Since joining Shell in 1998, Thierry has held several business and market development positions in the European energy market. He focused on the newly liberalised energy markets, negotiated long term gas and LNG supply agreements and developed several positions in LNG regasification and power projects with hydrogen – Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS). He led Shell’s advocacy efforts to promote the role of gas in Europe. He unbundled the gas distribution company of Athens according to the EU requirements and framed the ownership restructuring.

Thierry joined Fluxys, Belgian gas TSO and became the CFO of DESFA after the successful partial privatisation of the company by SNAM, Enagas and Fluxys in 2018.

Before being appointed as EU director of the CCS association in Brussels, he headed the BeNeLux business unit of Hinicio, a boutique consultancy firm specialised in Hydrogen and its derivatives.

Rodolphe Nicolle

Rodolphe Nicolle

Secretary General
European Lime Association (EuLA)

Rodolphe Nicolle

Rodolphe Nicolle

Secretary General
European Lime Association (EuLA)


Mr Rodolphe Nicolle serves as the Secretary-General of the European Lime Association (EuLA).

Mr Nicolle has an extensive public affairs experience in the construction and chemicals sectors.

Nicolai Romanowski

Nicolai Romanowski

Senior Energy Manager, Cefic

Nicolai Romanowski

Nicolai Romanowski

Senior Energy Manager, Cefic


Nicolai Romanowski is Senior Energy Manager of the EU chemical industry association, focusing on energy policy and its interface with competitiveness issues in the transition towards climate neutrality.

Pierre Chambon

Pierre Chambon

Managing Director Renewable Gases
ENGIE

Pierre Chambon

Pierre Chambon

Managing Director Renewable Gases
ENGIE


Pierre Chambon serves as Managing Director of Renewable Gases at ENGIE.

Manuel Coxe

Manuel Coxe

Secretary General, Marcogaz

Manuel Coxe

Manuel Coxe

Secretary General, Marcogaz


Manuel Coxe has been the Secretary General of MARCOGAZ, the Technical Association of the European Gas Industry, since 2020. He oversees the association’s activities alongside its Executive Board and technical committees. He also serves as Vice-Chairman of the European Clean Hydrogen Joint Undertaking Stakeholders Group.

With over 20 years of experience in the energy sector—including hydrogen, natural gas, and electricity—Manuel has held various leadership and technical roles at organizations such as IRENA, Europex, ENTSOE, and grid operators in multiple countries. His expertise spans system operations, energy markets, and policy.

He holds degrees in energy systems engineering (MEng), business administration (MBA), and pursued PhD studies in economics. Additionally, he has completed executive education in management law, communications, and psychology from top global institutions including Harvard, Oxford, and Ivey Business School.

Abel Enríquez

Abel Enríquez

Director, ENNOH

Abel Enríquez

Abel Enríquez

Director, ENNOH


Based in Brussels for more than 15 years, Abel Enríquez was appointed as Director for Pre-ENNOH on 11 December 2024. Previously, he was Head of EU Affairs and Organisations at Enagás, an international leader in the development, operation and maintenance of energy infrastructure, deeply committed to the energy transition and the development of renewable gases such as hydrogen. Abel is specialised in lobbying, public affairs, EU associations, energy policy and, gas/hydrogen sector regulation. He also co-chairs the Roundtable for Transmission and Distribution of Clean Hydrogen within the European Clean Hydrogen Alliance.

Abel has more than 20 years of experience in different EU affairs, being active in multiple European organisations and having had Board membership responsibilities in two of them. Previous positions for Abel include being Secretary General for a three-year period at Gas Infrastructure Europe (GIE), where he also held the position of Deputy Secretary General, and working on EU/International regulatory affairs at Enagás HQ in Madrid. Before joining Enagás, he had professional experiences in other sectors within international companies. Abel holds an MSc in Chemical Engineering and post-graduate studies in different fields, including the IESE Business School.

Csilla Bartok

Csilla Bartok

Head of Department Gas, Hydrogen and Retail at ACER

Csilla Bartok

Csilla Bartok

Head of Department Gas, Hydrogen and Retail at ACER


Csilla BARTÓK joined ACER as senior officer for Framework Guidelines and Network Codes for Gas in 2011. Since 2021, she is Gas Markets & Energy Retail Team Leader. In 2023, she became Acting Head of Infrastructure, Gas and Retail Department.

Csilla is responsible for the energy infrastructure regulation (TEN-E), gas markets (market monitoring and network codes regulation) and energy retail market monitoring activities. Before joining ACER, Csilla worked at the European Commission’s DG Energy as policy officer, at the OECD as competition and trade analyst and at DG Competition as merger case handler.

Csilla holds master’s degrees in economics, international economics and political sciences, as well as an executive MBA.

Ralph Bahke

Ralph Bahke

Managing Director, ONTRAS Gastransport GmbH, Hydrogen Area Sponsor and Board member, GIE

Ralph Bahke

Ralph Bahke

Managing Director, ONTRAS Gastransport GmbH, Hydrogen Area Sponsor and Board member, GIE


Ralph Bahke began his career at Verbundnetz Gas AG (now VNG AG), Leipzig, in 1994. In 2001, he moved to the gas transport division and in 2006 took on various management tasks in the area of network marketing at the then newly founded transmission system operator ONTRAS. Since November 2008, he has been one of the two managing directors at ONTRAS, responsible for commercial affairs and corporate development.

Ralph Bahke holds various supervisory board mandates in national and European companies and organizations. Following his position as Chairman of the Board of FNB Gas e.V., he has been active on the Board as Deputy Chairman since 2020. Ralph Bahke has been a member of the Board of GIE - Gas Infrastructure Europe since January 2021.

Piotr Kuś

Piotr Kuś

General Director, ENTSOG

Piotr Kuś

Piotr Kuś

General Director, ENTSOG


Before joining ENTSOG in January 2022 as ENTSOG General Director, Piotr Kuś held the position of Deputy Director in the Development Division at GAZ-SYSTEM S.A., since January 2017. His main areas of responsibilities included international cooperation, institutional relations, cooperation with EU institutions and international trade organisations.

He was involved in a number of business development projects aimed at regional gas market development - both infrastructure projects in CEE region as well as LNG, booking platforms and cooperation with Energy Community. Within GAZ-SYSTEM H2 task force, he was engaged in evaluating new gases preparedness: working on readiness of the Polish gas networks, European Hydrogen Backbone, IPCEI initiatives and Hydrogen Storage Project in Poland. He represented the transmission sector in number of Partnerships for Hydrogen Economy Development and Biogas Development on National and European level.

Between 2019-2021, Piotr was GIE Board Member acting as a sponsor of the CH4 Area. Since 2016, he was a member of the GTE Executive Committee to supervise activities of future sustainable solutions in the natural gas infrastructure. Prior to that, between 2008 and 2016, Piotr was Director of the Brussels Office of GAZ-SYSTEM, in charge of managing the company’s EU affairs.

Before joining GAZ-SYSTEM in 2008, he was employed by the Polish Oil and Gas Company (PGNiG S.A.) and was seconded to its Representative Office in Brussels.

Piotr Kuś graduated from Warsaw School of Economics.


Piotr Kuś

Rodrigo Barbosa

Rodrigo Barbosa

Deputy Head of System Development
ENTSO-E

Rodrigo Barbosa

Rodrigo Barbosa

Deputy Head of System Development
ENTSO-E


Rodrigo Freitas Barbosa serves as Deputy Head of System Development at ENTSO-E

Doug Waters

Doug Waters

Managing Director, Uniper Energy Storage, GIE Board member

Doug Waters

Doug Waters

Managing Director, Uniper Energy Storage, GIE Board member


Doug Waters has worked in the international energy industry for over 20 years across many areas of the business, both technically and commercially – including almost 18 years at E.ON and Uniper.

Starting as a gas turbine specialist, he then had a number of roles in Power Generation, UK Energy Trading, Asset Management and Global CCGT Fleet Management in UK and Spain. In 2015 Doug and his family relocated from Madrid to Dusseldorf, Germany, where for the following five years he has been the Director of Uniper’s international Global Energy Services business with teams in India, Dubai and Singapore as well as UK and Germany. Since November 2020 Doug Waters is heading the gas storage operator Uniper Energy Storage and leading Uniper’s successful storage business into the future market environment.

Doug holds a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Birmingham University, UK and an Executive MBA from ESMT, Berlin, Germany. He is a Chartered Engineer in the UK registered with the Engineering Council and holds a UK NEBOSH Construction Certificate as well as having qualifications related to commodity future and derivatives.

Jurgita Šilinskaitė-Venslovienė

Jurgita Šilinskaitė-Venslovienė

Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, KN Energies

GLE Executive Committee Member, GLE

Jurgita Šilinskaitė-Venslovienė

Jurgita Šilinskaitė-Venslovienė

Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, KN Energies

GLE Executive Committee Member, GLE


Jurgita Šilinskaitė-Venslovienė is Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at the international Liquid energy and LNG terminals’ operator KN Energies, where she has taken various roles for the past 8 years. Her current focus is on sustainability in energy transition and security of supply along the FSRU based LNG terminals and Liquid energy terminals value chains. She is engaged in enhancement of new energy value chain development, i.e. hydrogen and other LOHC, CCS in the region. Jurgita has extensive experience in management of key strategic infrastructural projects in different sectors and previous work experience covers Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant, National Development Institute and private holding company. In 2023 she was assigned as Honorary Consul of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. She is an independent board member and chair of the board at Lithuanian Inland Waterways Authority.

Lin Strobio Chen

Lin Strobio Chen

Global Business Line Manager
TÜV SÜD

Lin Strobio Chen

Lin Strobio Chen

Global Business Line Manager
TÜV SÜD


Dr. Lin Strobio Chen serves as the Vice President of Hydrogen, Power-to-X, and Storage at TÜV SÜD, leading global efforts in hydrogen technologies and energy storage solutions.

Her expertise on hydrogen encompasses strategic development, production, transportation, industrial applications, and mobility.
Dr. Strobio Chen is dedicated to advancing the global shift toward sustainable energy systems by ensuring safety, compliance, and seamless market access for hydrogen technologies.

 

Agenda

The Annual Conference Programme and Speaker info will be available at this location as soon as available

Venue

Grand Hotel Union Eurostars

Miklošičeva cesta 1 Ljubljana, 1000 Slovenia

GIE is pleased to announce that the Grand Hotel Union Eurostars has been chosen as the main venue and primary hotel for the 23rd GIE Annual Conference. Strategically located in the heart of Ljubljana, this exceptional venue offers the perfect blend of convenience and comfort, providing an ideal base for exploring the city’s rich cultural, culinary, and historical treasures.

GIE Internal meetings on Wednesday 21 October will also take place at the Grand Hotel Union Eurostars.

 

Hotels

To facilitate your stay in Ljubljana, GIE has reserved a block of rooms at negotiated rates at several hotels located within walking distance of the main venue. These special rates are available until 4 August 2026 for stays between 18 October 2026 and 25 October 2026 (see details below).

If the allocated rooms sell out, GIE will provide an update on this webpage. You may also check availability directly via the hotel booking links below.

GIE has reserved room blocks at the following three hotels. Please use the booking links below to benefit from the negotiated preferential rates: Grand Hotel Union Eurostars | Eurostars uHotel | Exe Lev Hotel

A luggage room will be available at the hotel on Friday, 23 October.

Further information on how to book your stay at one of these hotels at an additional discount is provided below.

Grand Hotel Union Eurostars

GIE is pleased to announce that the Grand Hotel Union Eurostars has been chosen as the primary hotel for the 23rd GIE Annual Conference. Strategically located in the heart of Ljubljana, this exceptional venue offers the perfect blend of convenience and comfort, providing an ideal base for exploring the city’s rich cultural, culinary, and historical treasures.

The Jugendstil style Grand Union Hall will be the main venue for the GIE Annual Conference on 22-23 October and the Grand Hotel will also host the internal meetings on 21 October.

The Grand Hotel Union Eurostars, built in 1905, is an emblematic establishment that forms part of the living history of the city and the country. It is an imposing and beautiful building, an example of the Vienna Secession style, part of the Art Nouveau movement.

This hotel offers its guests elegant facilities decorated with care and attention to detail, such as its spacious rooms, where guests can rest comfortably and worry-free, or its extensive gastronomic offer thanks to the Kavarna Union café, where you can savour the best Slovenian dishes accompanied by delicious local wines.

Completing the hotel’s offerings is a wellness centre with a gym, a swimming pool overlooking Ljubljana Castle, a shopping gallery, and the largest congress centre in the city.

We are delighted to offer delegates exclusive preferential rates for their stay.

Booking Procedure
Booking link: Grand Hotel Union Eurostars

Room Rates
GIE preferential rate per night for 21 & 22 October 2026 – available rooms: 40
210 EUR – single use / 235 EUR – double use

2-day pre-stay and post-stay: 12% discount
185 EUR single use / 207 EUR double use

Arrival on Sunday 18.10: 15% discount
179 EUR single use / 200 EUR double use

Room details
Standard Room type: Superior Comfort Room
Amenities: breakfast included, free WIFI, resort fees not applicable
Hotel City Tax: 3.13 EUR per person per night to be paid at the hotel upon check-out

 

 

Grand Hotel Union Eurostars
Miklošičeva cesta 1
1000 Ljubljana
Slovenia
T +386 1 308 1989
Hotel website
(main conference venue)

Check-in : from 15:00 onwards
Check-out : from 12:00 onwards
Early check-in can be requested and approved upon availability at the discretion of the HOTEL; charges may apply. Late check-out fee is 50 % of the daily rate and is charged for all departures between 12:00 and 18:00 hours. Check out after 18:00 results in 100 % daily rate fee including all taxes.

Reservation Deadline
GIE preferential rates are applicable to hotel bookings between 18.10.2026 and 25.10.2026.

GIE Rates applicability time range
GIE preferential rates are valid until 4 August 2026. After 4 August 2026 rooms, reservations depend on availability.

Cancellation Policy
Cancellations up to seven (7) days prior to arrival – no cancellation fee.
Cancellation within six (6) days prior to arrival or No show – Cancellation fee for the entire length of stay will be charged, excluding taxes.

Eurostars uHotel

Located right next to the iconic Grand Hotel Union Eurostars in the centre of Ljubljana, Eurostars uHotel shares some of its facilities. This partnership dates back to 1979, when the former Grand Hotel Union bought an additional building, which is now Eurostars uHotel.

Together, they boast the largest hotel conference centre in Ljubljana and offer excellent dining options for foodies who want to tickle their taste buds: famous Union Café. They also share a wellness area with swimming pool, massage treatments, saunas, and a terrace with superb views of the city.

We are delighted to offer delegates exclusive preferential rates for their stay.

Booking Procedure
Booking link: Eurostars uHotel

Room Rates
GIE preferential rate per night for 21 & 22 October 2026 – available rooms: 100
170 EUR – single use / 190 EUR – double use

2-day pre-stay and post-stay: 12% discount
150 EUR single use / 168 EUR double use

Arrival on Sunday 18.10: 15% discount
145 EUR single use / 162 EUR double use

Room details
Standard Room type: Superior Double or Twin Room
Amenities: breakfast included, free WIFI, resort fees not applicable
Hotel City Tax: 3.13 EUR per person per night to be paid at the hotel upon check-out

Eurostars uHotel
Miklošičeva cesta 3
1000 Ljubljana
Slovenia
T +386 1 308 11 70
Hotel website
(next to and connected to main venue)

Check-in : from 15:00 onwards
Check-out : from 12:00 onwards
Early check-in can be requested and approved upon availability at the discretion of the HOTEL; charges may apply. Late check-out fee is 50 % of the daily rate and is charged for all departures between 12:00 and 18:00 hours. Check out after 18:00 results in 100 % daily rate fee including all taxes.

Reservation Deadline
GIE preferential rates are applicable to hotel bookings between 18.10.2026 and 25.10.2026.

GIE Rates applicability time range
GIE preferential rates are valid until 4 August 2026. After 4 August 2026 rooms, reservations depend on availability.

Cancellation Policy
Cancellations up to seven (7) days prior to arrival – no cancellation fee.
Cancellation within six (6) days prior to arrival or No show – Cancellation fee for the entire length of stay will be charged, excluding taxes.

Hotel Exe Lev

Sporting an impressive glass façade, Exe Lev opened in 1964 and rises high above a renowned former restaurant in the centre of Ljubljana. This hotel is located 600m from the main venue (an 8 minute walk).

Recently renovated, the hotel offers a contemporary design with retro touches, creating a warm ambience of timeless elegance while always respecting the history of its facilities.

Guests can enjoy breathtaking views of the city from its upper floors. Meanwhile, a vast variety of fine wines, cognacs and cocktails await guests in the cosy and inviting atmosphere of the bar.

We are delighted to offer delegates exclusive preferential rates for their stay.

Booking Procedure
Booking link: Exe Lev Hotel

Room Rates
GIE preferential rate per night for 21 & 22 October 2026 – available rooms: 50
130 EUR – single use / 145 EUR – double use

2-day pre-stay and post-stay: 12% discount
115 EUR single use / 128 EUR double use

Arrival on Sunday 18.10: 15% discount
110 EUR single use / 123 EUR double use

Room details
Standard Room type: Classic Double Room
Amenities: breakfast included, free WIFI, resort fees not applicable
Hotel City Tax: 3.13 EUR per person per night to be paid at the hotel upon check-out

Hotel Exe Lev
Vošnjakova ulica 1
1000 Ljubljana
Slovenia
T +386 1 308 11 70
Hotel website
(600m from main venue, 8min on foot)

 

Check-in : from 15:00 onwards
Check-out : from 12:00 onwards
Early check-in can be requested and approved upon availability at the discretion of the HOTEL; charges may apply. Late check-out fee is 50 % of the daily rate and is charged for all departures between 12:00 and 18:00 hours. Check out after 18:00 results in 100 % daily rate fee including all taxes.

Reservation Deadline
GIE preferential rates are applicable to hotel bookings between 18.10.2026 and 25.10.2026.

GIE Rates applicability time range
GIE preferential rates are valid until 4 August 2026. After 4 August 2026 rooms, reservations depend on availability.

Cancellation Policy
Cancellations up to seven (7) days prior to arrival – no cancellation fee.
Cancellation within six (6) days prior to arrival or No show – Cancellation fee for the entire length of stay will be charged, excluding taxes.

InterContinental Ljubljana

For an even more luxurious experience, you can also consider the 5-star InterContinental Hotel Ljubljana, located 650m from the main venue (9 min walk)

Breathtaking panoramic views and Michelin-recognized dining await you at InterContinental Ljubljana in the tallest hotel in Ljubljana, with an iconic glass exterior. Luxurious rooms and suites featuring elegant marble bathrooms and stunning city views. Rejuvenate at the spa, relax at Bloom Lounge and experience gourmet rooftop dining at award-winning B-Restaurant.

Please note that no GIE Preferential Rates are available at this hotel

InterContinental Ljubljana
Slovenska cesta 59
1000 Ljubljana
Slovenia
T +386 591 28000
Hotel website
(650m from main venue, 9min on foot)

Gala

Join us for an unforgettable gala evening in the beautiful city of Ljubljana, where an elegant venue, exquisite cuisine, and great company will set the scene for networking and celebration.

The Gala Dinner, organised by our Slovenian host PLINOVODI , will take place on Thursday, 22 October.

Transportation will be arranged from the Grand Hotel Union Eurostars, with departure details to be confirmed. The Gala Dinner is expected to begin at 20:00. Return shuttle services to the Grand Hotel Union Eurostars will be provided.

The event schedule and evening programme will be shared with all registered guests. More details will follow soon.



Plinovodi d.o.o., the operator of the Slovenian gas transmission system is looking forward to welcome you in Ljubljana.

 

Logistics

How to travel to Ljubljana and get to the venue

Venue: Grand Hotel Union Eurostars
Miklošičeva cesta 1, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia

1) Fly in: international airport options

Closest and easiest

  • Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport (LJU)
    The main airport for the city and the most straightforward option.

More flight options

  • Zagreb Airport (ZAG)

  • Trieste Airport (TRS)

  • Klagenfurt Airport (KLU)

  • Graz Airport (GRZ)

  • Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE)

From these airports, the simplest is usually a shuttle or private transfer straight to Ljubljana city, or a combination of bus/train plus local taxi.

2) From LJU airport to the city centre

Options (depending on arrival time and luggage):

  • Airport bus / shuttle to central Ljubljana: GoOpti

  • Taxi for the easiest door-to-door ride: 50 EUR (when booked from the Grand Hotel), 30 mins (count 45mins in case of traffic)

3) Last mile: city centre to the venue

The hotel is in the very centre, so the last bit is easy:

  • From Ljubljana Railway Station: a short walk

  • From the central bus hub: also a short walk

  • Prefer not to walk: quick taxi ride

Explore Ljubljana

https://www.visitljubljana.com/en/visitors/travel-information/
Here you can find all information on how to discover the city and how to get around.

 

For inquiries, please contact the GIE Secretariat:

Tel +32 2 209 05 00
E-mail gie@gie.eu

Gas Infrastructure Europe (GIE)
Avenue de Cortenbergh 100
1000 Brussels
Belgium

Register here

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Details

Start:
22 October
End:
23 October
Cost:
€995.00 – €1,295.00
Event Category:

Venue

Grand Hotel Union Eurostars
Miklošičeva cesta 1
Ljubljana,1000Slovenia
Phone
+386 1 308 12 70
View Venue Website

Organiser

Gas Infrastructure Europe
Email:
gie@gie.eu
View Organizer Website