Shaping the Energy Sector in Europe (Athens)

CONTEXT

This conference is part of the Green European Foundation Energy Democracy transnational project, which aims to explore the potential of an energy transition for Europe and how to shape this process in a democratic, participatory way.

Europe has to change its energy system into a fully renewable one to transition to a sustainable economy and to establish a real climate policy. This is a major challenge for every Member State of the European Union, but will only succeed if the states work to together.

European citizens are already playing an active role, together with governments at different levels, as they are organising themselves in national energy cooperatives and also the European Federation REScoop.

Studies show that by 2050, around 45% of all EU households could be producing their own renewable energy, and more than a third could come through renewable energy cooperatives. This constitutes a huge opportunity for regional economic development, as locally-owned renewable energy projects deliver eight times the value of projects that are owned by private companies not from the area.

The reality in the different Member States is however extremely diverse. While the contribution of citizens’ Energy co-ops and local communities is well recognized in Western Europe, the situation in Eastern Europe is quite the opposite.

PROGRAMME

10:30 – 11:00: Arrival of attendees

11:00 – 11:05: Opening statement from the panel

11:05 – 12:00: Welcome and opening addresses:

• Kostas Diakos, Green Institute President
• Socratis Famellos, Vice-Minister Energy and Environment
• Mimis Dimitriadis, MP SYRIZA, Chair of Parliamentarian Committee on Economy and Development
• Manolis Vemis, Coordinator of the Executive Secretariat – Greek Green Party (Οικολογοι Πρασινοι)
• Political parties representatives (tbc)

12:00 – 14:00: First round of speakers:

Legislative Framework of Energy Co-ops:

• Michalis Verroiopoulos, Secretary of Energy Ministry of Environment and Energy

Change of Energy Production and Consumption Model as a Prerequisite for a Sustainable and Democratic Future:

• Giorgos Dimaras, Deputy Minister Energy and Environment, MP SYRIZA Greek Green Party

Application of Energy Co-ops in Sustainable Agriculture:

• Giannis Tsironis, former Alternate Minister of Agriculture, MP SYRIZA Greek Green Party

Lessons from Community Energy in the UK:

• Anne Chapman, Director of Green House UK Think Tank, Director of Morecambe Bay Community Renewables

There will also be opportunities for Q&As from the audience.

14:00 – 14:40: Buffet Lunch

14:30 – 17:00: Second round of speakers:

The Transformation to Energy Democracy:

• Merlijn De Rijcke, OIKOS Think Tank Belgium

Presentation of the Energy Cooperative Project of Sifnos Island:

• Giannis Ghillis, engineer

Presentation of the Energy Cooperative Project of Tilos Island:

• Giannis Kaldelis, engineer

Applying Energy Efficiency Principles – Possibilities for the Greek City:

• Nikos Samaras, architect MSC, lecturer at the Thessaly Technological Institute

Recycling and Energy Democracy:

• Christina Efthimiatou, chemical engineer, board member of the Hellenic Recycle Agency EOAN, co-spokesperson of the Greek Green Party (Οικολόγοι Πράσινοι)

There will also be opportunities for Q&As from the audience.

17:30 – 18:00: Closing statements from international guests & panellists 

This event is open to all who would like to attend. For more information, please contact the organiser Dimitris on dimitrispashalis@yahoo.com

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