Energy Week Western Balkans 2024 – Driving the Region’s Clean Energy Transition

Montenegro is gearing up for one of the most influential energy sector gatherings of the year - Energy Week Western Balkans 2024. Set to take place on October 9-10 at the exclusive Maestral Resort, this event is a pivotal opportunity for regional leaders, energy companies, international investors, and policymakers to come together and discuss strategies for accelerating the transition to renewable energy. ?

The region's premier conference will convene key stakeholders from Montenegro, Serbia, North Macedonia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, and Croatia alongside major international financial institutions and leading global companies in the energy sector.

Energy Week is a strategic event for the region. It is a crucial platform for attracting investments in renewable energy and fostering regional cooperation among Western Balkan countries, uniting them in their shared commitment to achieving energy security and a greener future. High-level leaders, such as Admir ?ahmanovi?, Minister of Mining, Oil, and Gas, Petar ?oki?, Minister of Energy and Mining of the Republic of Srpska, Milutin ?ukanovi?, Chairman of EPCG, and will be speaking at the event, underscoring its significance.

The discussions will centre on policy, financing, and technology - key pillars essential for driving the region's energy transition.

The conference agenda is meticulously crafted to address the pressing issues within the region’s energy landscape. A highlight of the event is the session titled "Together Towards Tomorrow: Regional Integration Strategies for Renewable Energy Advancement in the Western Balkans," where ministers from across the region will discuss the critical importance of regional cooperation.

Another pivotal session, "Balancing Act: Navigating the Transition from Coal to Renewables vs. Embracing a Gas Blend Strategy," will delve into the complexities of transitioning away from coal, featuring among other insights from Du?an ?ivkovi?, General Director at Elektroprivreda Srbije (EPS).

The event will also focus on the future of the region's energy infrastructure. The session "Future-Proofing the Grid: Investing in Resilience, Renewable Energy, and Storage Technologies", will emphasize the investments necessary to ensure that the grid can support a renewable energy-dominated future. Aleksandar Miju?kovi?, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Crnogorski Elektroprenosni Sistem (CGES), will share his insights on these critical developments.

Addressing the operational challenges that energy projects face in the region, the session "Navigating Market Challenges: From Securing Land to Balancing Conditions" will feature contributions from industry leaders. Zoran Gjorgjievski, CEO, MEMO (National Electricity Market Operator of North Macedonia) will share his insights.

Regulatory frameworks, essential for accelerating renewable energy adoption, will be the focus of “Shaping Renewable Policies: Dialogue with Western Balkans Regulators”, featuring key regulators such as Branislav Prelevi?, Resident of the Board, Energy and Water Regulatory Agency of Montenegro, Dejan Popovi?, President of the Council, Energy Agency of Serbia and Marko Bislimoski, President, Energy, Water and Municipal Waste Management Services Regulatory Commission of the Republic of North Macedonia (ERC).

The financial aspects of energy projects will be explored in "Unlocking the Potential: Exploring Financing, Bankability, and Revenue Streams in the Western Balkans." This session will delve into making energy projects bankable and attractive to investors, an essential step for the region’s energy future. Moreover, strategies to build investor confidence will be discussed in "Promoting Investor Confidence: Ensuring Predictability and Fair Treatment," where legal experts, investors, and government representatives will share their insights on creating a stable and transparent business environment.

Another highlight of the event will be “A Fireside Chat with a Renewables Visionary”, where Claudia Patricolo, Editor-in-Chief of CEENERGYNEWS will interview on stage Daniel Calderon, Co-Founder & Managing Partner of Alcazar Energy. ?Alcazar Energy is making remarkable strides in the Western Balkans, with major projects such as the Shtip wind farm (up to 400 MW) in North Macedonia and the Bijela wind farm (118 MW) in Montenegro. With their second investment fund, Alcazar Energy Partners II, they aim to develop up to 1.6 GW of renewable capacity.

Adding to the wealth of knowledge at the event, global and regional leaders at the World Bank, IFC, EBRD, UKEF, and the Green for Growth Fund will provide a global perspective on sustainable development and economic growth in the region. Neda Lazendi? (WV International), Rico Koch (NOTUS energy), Mats Lundin (Emergy), Ivan Liakh (DTEK Renewables International) and many other distinguished leaders will share extensive experience from their work on gigawatt-scale solar and wind projects.

With over 18 GW of renewable potential at stake, Energy Week Western Balkans 2024 is more than just a conference - it is a pivotal platform where the future of energy in the region will be shaped. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage in B2B and B2G meetings with top executives, policymakers, and thought leaders from the Western Balkans and beyond.

For more information on the event, including the full agenda and registration details, please visit the official website https://wbenergyweek.com/