Energy Regulation and Investment in the New Member States

18Feb
2004

Liberalisation of the energy sector has created new rules for the regulator and new business models for companies. These two dimensions of the energy business are closely interlinked, as liberalisation has taken away earlier certainties in revenue flows, making investments more difficult to plan. New emerging agendas for sustainable energy management and security of supply compound the issue.

If those changes affect current EU companies and regulators, they are even more marked in the States that will join in May 2004. Economies in transition and a new culture of commercial competition make energy liberalisation a special challenge with particular characteristics. Dealing with these issues seems timely as the States are on the threshold of joining the EU.

SEMINAR 
Hotel Renaissance, Room « Ballroom II »
(Rue du Parnasse, 19 – 1050 Bruxelles)

Chair:  Birute Vesaite, Observer in the European Parliament, Lithuania.

15.00 Introduction – European Commission

15.30 New member states’ energy sectors – an overview 
Speaker :  Jorgen Boldt, Ramboll, energy sector analyst
Comments :  Pawel Kaminski, VP European affairs, Polish Oil & Gas

16.00 Coffee

16.30 The business and regulatory challenges of energy liberalisation
Liberalisation, reserves, climate policy, network access, regulatory implementation, Investment policy 
Moderator: Guntars Krasts, Chair of European Affairs Committee, Saeima (Latvian Parliament)
Participants :  European Commission
Jacques-Andre Troesch, CEER
Walter Boltz, Chaiman e-control
Fritz Gautier, Board Member, Ruhrgas AG 
Paul Bulteel, Secretary General, Eurelectric

17.30 New member states’ energy regulation –  problems and challenges 
Speaker :  Vidmantas Jankauskas, President, ERRA
Comments :  Gabor Szorenyi, Directorate for Energy Supply and Consumer Protection*

18.00 Discussion

19.00 Close

DINNER DEBATE

European Parliament

19.00 : Welcome reception
19.30 : Dinner
Chair :  Rolf Linkohr, MEP
Speaker :  Frank Siebert, Deputy Chairman, Latvijas Gaze 
Comments :  Szabolcs Fazakas, Observer in the European Parliament, Former Minister of Energy, Trade and Tourism, Hungary