High-level Conference on Advancing Connectivity: Fostering Interconnection Capacities and EU Integration of the Eastern Partnership
Rome, 24 September 2024 – The Council of European Energy Regulators (CEER), on behalf of the European Commission’s EU4Energy Programme – “Promoting the Clean Energy Transition in the Eastern Partnership Countries” – and in cooperation with the Balkan Energy School is welcoming the High-Level Conference on Advancing Connectivity: Fostering Interconnection Capacities and EU Integration of the Eastern Partnership. The conference will take place on 24-25 September 2024 in Rome, Italy.
The event aims to support the European Union's commitment to enhancing connectivity within and beyond its borders. It will emphasise the importance and potential benefits of cross-border connection capacities for regional and EU integration, with a special focus on the Eastern Partnership. On the second day, participants will have the opportunity to visit the National Control Center of the Italian Transmission System Operator, TERNA S.p.A., where they will be introduced to the technical aspects of the Italy-Montenegro underwater electricity cable operation. Additionally, the conference will foster dialogue among EU institutions, policymakers, regulatory authorities, and experts to facilitate the sharing of best practices and lessons learned.
Severin Strohal, Deputy Head of Unit C1 - Georgia, Moldova, Economic & Investment Plan of the Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations of the European Commission highlights the importance of energy security and showcases key initiatives the EU has implemented to improve energy security the Eastern Partnership and Western Balkan countries.
“By promoting the development of new interconnectors and ensuring their effective use with existing and new regulatory tools, we, as regulators, play a key role in enhancing the flexibility and security of our energy systems, while also reducing costs for consumers. This aligns with our mission to ensure a competitive, secure and sustainable energy market across Europe, by fostering cooperation and integration for the benefit of all energy users”, states Ms Annegret Groebel, President of CEER.
“By working together and sharing their experience, regulators can help identify and address bottlenecks in the transmission and distribution of energy, as well as develop common rules and standards for cross-border trade”, says Clara Poletti, Chair of the Board of Regulators at the Agency for Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER) and Board Member of ARERA, the Italian energy national regulatory authority.
“It is our pleasure to have the opportunity of co-organising today’s event and sharing experience. In fact, it is in the Balkan Energy School’s mission to promote know-how and best practices exchange. I hope participants will gain valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities associated with cross-border infrastructure development by examining successful projects, such as the Italy-Montenegro Undersea Power Interconnector”, mentions Stefano Saglia, Chairperson of the Balkan Energy School and Board Member of ARERA, the Italian energy national regulatory authority.
The EU4Energy initiative is funded by the European Union with a total budget of €8.5 million and is jointly implemented by the Council of European Energy Regulators (CEER), the International Energy Agency (IEA) and the Energy Community Secretariat (EnCS). The programme highlights the importance of collaboration and cooperation between the EU, implementing partners and beneficiary institutions in carrying out reforms and bringing concrete benefits to citizens.
