Shaping the Energy Sector in Europe (Skopje)

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, 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.

About the event

The conference will bring together contributors from GEF partners, energy cooperatives and energy sectors to discuss renewable energy potential on both a Europe and local level.

Programme

09:30 – 10:30:  Arrival of participants and speakers

10:30 – 11:00:  Registration and welcome coffee

11:00 – 11:15: Opening:

• Short presentation of the 2018 project
• Aleksandar Gjorgjievski, national coordinator
• ASSED Sunrise, Skopje  

11:15 – 12:00: Presentation:  The Transformation to Energy Democracy

• Dirk Holemans, transnational coordinator Oikos, Belgium

12:00 – 12:30: Coffee break

12:30 – 13:10: Energy Cooperatives in Europe

• Quest from ReScoop

13:10 – 13:40: Energy Sector in Macedonia and the Region – Current & Future Perspective 

• Ervin Redjepagikj

13:40 – 14:00: Renewable Energy

• Aleksandar Hristu Kanevce

14:00 – 15:00: Discussion on Energy Democracy – with the speakers 

15:00 – 16:00:   Lunch 

Registration

To register for this event, please contact Aleksandar Gjorgjievski aleksgo@gmail.com.