Conference “The CLEAN ENERGY PACKAGE and ENERGY INVESTMENTS – REALITIES AND CHALLENGES”

Organiser: Energy Management Institute

Dates: 4-5 April 2019

Location: Stara Zagora City, hotel VEREYA, 100 Tsar Simeon Veliki bul.

Participants: International, national, regional and local institutions, governmental representatives from Bulgaria and the SEE Region, European Commission, Energy Community, Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER), Euroelectric, Eurocoal, diplomats, established European and national business and trade union associations and non-governmental organizations with responsibilities in the field of energy and the environment, companies from the energy sector, as well as independent experts.

Concept:

The successful steps toward the energy market liberalization are crucial for the effective long-term development of the energy sector by enforcing market principles while optimizing state intervention through proper and well-designed regulatory mechanisms. At the same time, there is a strong need in the Bulgarian and European context to clearly identify present and painful issues related to the implementation and protection of investments. Thus, the topics we hope to discuss together at the conference are linked to the following:

•        To what extent and in which form should the state intervention be implemented in the process?

•        Is there a clarity with regard to governmental policies related to investment promotion and investment protection, taking into account the leading role of market mechanisms and climate and environmental requirements?

•        Is it necessary for the state to pursue a specific policy in this area with regard to particular regions and what are the permissible steps in this direction as not to undermine the leading role of market relations in the sector?

•        Are there clear national priorities for understanding the need for further reforms in the energy sector and their cost especially in economic and social terms?

•        What is going on in the aforementioned aspects with regards to coal mining and related activities and how it relates to ecological issues?

•        What can people expect in the short and medium term, concerning the planning, reforms and development of  the regulatory framework?

The conference agenda will focus on political, strategic, economic and legal issues and address all stakeholders – government institutions, international organizations, the non-governmental sector, the energy business and civil society in its entirety.

The critical review of the present and forthcoming steps in the aforementioned aspects is important not only in terms of what has been achieved but also in terms of effective elaboration and implementation of future actions. This is particularly sensitive in the context of a series of challenges on the subject, such as climate change and environmental protection, but also when looking at the realities of the economic and social developments. In this context, the event is a continuation of the ever more active debate on a fair energy transition for European coal-fired regions towards a low-carbon future.

More details available on the following link www.emi-bulgaria.com