Central European Day of Energy 2022

The energy crisis and Russian aggression against Ukraine – key challenges to Central European energy sector

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Russia's ongoing aggression against Ukraine and the ensuing economic war between the West and Russia are contributing to a growing multi-level energy crisis in the EU, including in Central European countries (CEE). Both the record-breaking prices of energy resources and of electricity as well as the availability of supplies remain an important challenge. In connection with sanctions imposed on Russia, and Russian counter sanctions, but also due to the international consequences of the Russian war, situation on the oil market is also challenging. Finally, the Russian strikes on the energy infrastructure in Ukraine, but also the recent damages to the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines, also show that the security of critical energy infrastructure in Europe is becoming an increasingly serious challenge. Energy has clearly become weaponised and a tool in Russian war.

To deal with this multi-level crisis, the EU must strive as never before to act in coordination and stay united. Since the outbreak of war at the end of February, we have seen a series of measures undertaken to increase the resilience of European countries, reduce their dependence on Russian supplies and finally prepare them for the difficult winter season 2022/23. The EU, in the framework of the REPowerEU plan, has introduced gas storage obligation (, energy and gas saving measures, sought to diversify sources of supply and new contracts by strengthening partnerships with allied gas producers (USA, Norway), and finally proposed instruments to curb price rises and their impact on consumers. At the same time, due to the seriousness of the problems and the difficulty of reaching a rapid agreement within EU framework, we also see a number of individual actions by member states to protect domestic consumers and ensure secure and affordable energy & gas supplies.

The challenges of the energy war with Russia are particularly evident in the Central European countries. Although they have been working for many years to reduce their dependence on Russian energy supplies, most remained heavily dependent on Russian oil and gas, and some on coal. In addition, high prices remain a major economic and political challenge for the entire region. Finally, the CEE countries directly bordering Ukraine have also been from the beginning of the war heavily involved in supporting Ukraine on the energy front - including the emergency synchronisation with the Continental Europe system in March this year, but also in ensuring the supply of key energy resources, fuels or equipment necessary for the repairing energy infrastructure destroyed during Russian attacks.

This winter (and probably the next one), when the energy crisis in the EU and beyond will deepen, will be a key challenge and an important test for the EU in general, but CEE in particular. It will be a test for the effectiveness of diversification and the resilience of regional & individual energy systems, of measures undertaken over the years and those of recent months, of cooperation and coordination within the region. Yet, it will also test our abilities to protect our markets and societies, and finally our capabilities to supporting Ukraine.

Tomas Pirkl

Head of Brussels Representative Office

CEZ

Lukas Trakimavičius

Subject Matter Expert

NATO Energy Security Centre of Excellence

13:00 - Registration and lunch

14:00 - Opening and video from Kadri Simson, European Commissioner for Energy, European Commission

14:05 - Welcome: Leszek Jesień, Chairman of the Board, CEEP

14:10 - Opening addresses

1. Jerzy Buzek, Member of the European Parliament and former EP President
2. Edvard Kozusnik, Deputy Minister for Trade and the Economy, Czech Republic

14:20 - Panel I: The Energy Crisis – Availability and Affordability of Gas & Energy in CEE and EU – moderator: Matthew James, MD/Publisher Energy Post

1. András Hujber, Deputy Head of Unit, DG ENER TF.2 “Relations with the Member States and the Neighbourhood”
2. Tomas Pirkl – Head of Brussels Representative Office – CEZ
3. Georg Zachmann – Senior Fellow, Bruegel
4. Pawel Stanczak, CEO, OGTSU (Ukrainian gas system operator)
5. Artur Swietanowski – Risk Management Office, PSE

15:40 - Break for coffee/tea

16.00 - Panel II. The War in Ukraine: Security of Critical Energy Infrastructure – moderator: Aura Sabadus – Journalist, ICIS

3. Volodimir Kudrytskyi – CEO, Ukrenergo – via live-link from Kyiv
4. Lukas Trakimavičius – Subject Matter Expert, NATO Energy Security Centre of Excellence
5. Adam Balogh– Lead, Energy Community Ukraine Support Task Force
6. Bogdan Simion – Data Analytics Advisor, Gas Infrastructure Europe
7. Andrei Goicea - Policy Director, nucleareurope
   

17:20 - Short drinks reception until 18:00

BSP Conference centre

Rue Belliard 40, Brussels