The 6th edition of the Central European Day of Energy took place in Brussels on the 3rd of December 2021. The event devoted to the energy sector resilience in the time of transition gathered representatives from the European institutions, energy companies, NGOs and think thanks. The CEDE 2021 hosted Mme Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson, Jerzy Buzek, CEEP Honorary Member as keynote speakers, together with a number of energy experts from across the EU. The panellists discussed issues related to resilient, affordable and decarbonised electricity and the role of gaseous fuels in the energy system resilience. During the course of the event, CEEP also released a report on the resilience of the Central European power sector in the time of transition, written by REKK. The report focuses on resilience in the context of coal phase-out and the rapid development of intermittent solar and wind energy sources. The main takeaway was that according to modelling natural gas-based capacities will play a key role in providing flexibility in Central Europe in 2030. More natural gas will be needed in the power sector to provide the flexibility required in the future. However, altogether less natural gas-based power generation capacities will be required for that, than what we have in the system now. Our report is to be found here. Click here to find out more about the 6th edition of CEDE 2021. If you missed the CEDE 2021, you can rewatch it here. Check out also some photos [...]
We would like to invite you for the 6th Central European Day of Energy (CEDE) devoted to the topic of energy sector resilience in the time of transition. This year CEDE will take place on December 3rd in a hybrid form with the online audience. The event will be live-streamed on the CEEP’s website and on our YouTube channel. The current energy crunch reminds us that the resilience of the European energy system is increasingly important as the EU energy system integrates more decentralised and intermittent renewable energy, and fossil fuels are gradually phased out. Energy security, as one of the five dimensions of the EU Energy Union, remains a priority, especially in the Central European region which has been seriously affected by supply disruptions in the past. The context of transition towards net-zero economy emphasizes new aspects of energy security, that can be accommodated in a wider framework of energy sector resilience. In addition to the issue of security of supply, resilience may include cybersecurity, resilience of supply chains (including critical raw materials and components), climate adaptation, electricity grid stability as well as the changes in climate and energy diplomacy. These topics are usually elaborated by different experts separately. In order to fully understand the complexity of the challenges we face we want to zoom out and discuss a wide spectrum of aspects of energy sector resilience across the whole value chain during a single event. CEEP will also present a report on resilience of the electricity sector in Central Europe in the time of transition, which will serve as a food for thought during the Central European Day of Energy. More information you [...]
The CEEP’s Board of Directors has appointed Jakub Groszkowski as its new Executive Director. Jakub Groszkowski will replace Mariusz Kawnik, who has joined the diplomatic service. Prior to joining CEEP, Jakub Groszkowski held various positions in media outlets, think-tanks and the energy sector in Warsaw and Brussels. Jakub Groszkowski started his career in Polish public-service radio. In 2009 he joined the Centre for Eastern Studies (OSW), where he covered issues related to the Central European region as an analyst, and subsequently as the head of Central Europe Department. In 2020, Jakub Groszkowski joined the Polish Oil and Gas Company (PGNiG) and worked at its Brussels office until April 2021. Jakub Groszkowski holds a master’s degree in political science from the University of Warsaw, Poland. ‘At CEEP we are fully committed to the EU’s climate and energy goals and targets, and we are well aware that this ambitious policy of the EU requires engagement and cooperation of different stakeholders from all Member States. CEEP facilitates such collaboration among Central European energy companies, which want not only to follow, but also to shape all relevant EU regulations concerning energy and climate. CEEP will continue to enrich the EU debate with fact-based analyses and reports focused on Central Europe. With more than a decade-long experience in Brussels, CEEP is well prepared to play an active role in shaping the European Green Deal agenda together with other [...]
On 14 December the electricity transmission system operators (PSE, AST, Elering, AST, Litgrid) of the Baltic countries and Poland, signed the grant agreement with the Innovation and Networks Executive Agency (INEA) for the funding of the second phase of the Baltic synchronisation project. € 719.7 million, provided from the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), will ensure the smooth implementation of infrastructure projects, allowing Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania to start operating in synchronous mode with Poland and other continental European countries by the end of 2025. The Coordinating Committee of CEF agreed to support the key second stage projects of the Synchronisation Project with the maximum possible intensity of 75%. The major share, € 493 million, is reserved for the construction of the Harmony Link interconnector between Lithuania and Poland, while € 166.5 million will be allocated to finance the installation of synchronous condensers in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. The remaining part is awarded for the modernization and development of the internal transmission grid in Poland, required for the integration of the Harmony Link interconnection. By signing the grant agreement, TSOs from the Baltics and Poland receive almost three-quarters, of this year's total CEF budget for energy projects, which is € 979.6 million. Including the previous € 323 million EU support for the first stage of synchronisation, the programme has already exceeded € 1 billion in attracted EU funding. The first phase, which is currently being implemented, focuses on strengthening local grids of the three Baltic countries. The total sum stands as a record amount of support among all EU-funded energy projects. The Synchronisation Project is important for the full integration [...]
On November 30th, the Ministry of Energy in the Republic of Lithuania announced the successful completion of an agreement establishing a hydrogen platform between 19 Lithuanian organizations, including the Ministry of Economy and Innovation and the Ministry of Transport. Three member organizations of the Central Europe Energy Partners, EPSO-G, Amber Grid and Achema, are among the signatories of this agreement. The Lithuanian Hydrogen Platform sets the following objectives: Participate in the formation of national, regional and EU policies and objectives including, but not limited to, the preparation of the Lithuanian Hydrogen Strategy and Hydrogen Development Action Plan; Contribute to proposing legislative initiatives to promote the development of hydrogen technologies in the country, ensuring cross-sectoral integration of hydrogen and the deployment of related technologies; Encourage joint research, experimental development and innovation activities of Members with an aim to developing new products, services and businesses related to hydrogen technologies in the country. Recently, Rolandas Zukas, CEO of EPSO-G, emphasized that “this agreement is laying a solid foundation for the development of hydrogen energy in Lithuania. […] we see that hydrogen energy will create significant synergies in the electricity and gas sectors.”. EPSO-G group companies have already shifted their focus towards the investments in research for hydrogen technology applications, including piloting projects. As hydrogen becomes an essential element of the energy mix in Europe, novel ideas must be developed around the efficient production, storage and transportation of green hydrogen. This requires cooperation among energy companies, public institutions and researchers, among others. A well-functioning eco-system must be created enabling synergies between different power supply sectors, public institutions and different EU member states. First [...]
We represent the widely understood Central Europe energy sector (electricity generation, distribution and transmission, renewables, gas, oil, heat generation and distribution, chemical industries, etc.), universities and scientific institutions.
