Discussion evening
- Tuesday, 18. October 2016 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm Save in my calendar
Panel on EU-MENA Renewable Energy Cooperation
hbs Brussels & Tunis office
Dear colleagues and friends,
It is our pleasure to invite you to a
Panel on EU-MENA Renewable Energy Cooperation
Countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) are blessed with huge and diversified renewable energy potential, in particular wind and solar energy. Given the ever increasing role of RES in the energy mix of EU Member States and the EU approach to endorse sustainability and climate protection in its external partnerships, renewable energy cooperation has been a major pillar of EU-MENA partnership, both in the general context of EU Neighborhood Policy, the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), as well as the external dimension of the Energy Union. In the run-up to COP22 and the announcement of new RES targets during COP21, this strategic partnership could serve as a major instrument for raising the climate ambition of the countries from these regions, sending a strong signal to investors that the energy transition process is already happening and has a strong institutional backing. In a long-term perspective, this regional energy partnership could lead to an integrated sustainable energy market, improve energy security in the region, decrease vulnerability to external shocks and bring more benefits for the local population.
The basis for the discussion will be the study “80 Gigawatts of Change: Egypt’s Future Electricity Pathways”, commissioned by the Heinrich Böll Foundation and carried out by the Egyptian Center for Economic and Social Rights (ECESR), which is the first publicly accessible, modeled and civil society analyzed scenario for the Egyptian electrical sector ever. Through engaging with various private and public stakeholders in a participatory drafting process, the report outlines seven different options for how Egypt’s electricity sector could develop between 2015-2035, if technical, social and environmental constraints and community impacts are taken into account. The presentation of the study is followed by a discussion with EU policy makers, as well as representatives from European and North African NGOs, private industry, think tanks and energy regulators from the region. The discussion will raise important questions not only about the role of EU-MENA renewable energy partnership in delivering the Paris commitments and contributing to a better economic development in the region, but also how it could be used to promote the democratization of the energy governance in this region and ensure the consideration of human rights and social aspects in the energy planning and climate actions.
When: 18th October 2016, 17:30h – 20:00h, followed by a networking reception from 20:00h – 21:00h
Where: Representation of the State of Lower Saxony to the European Union, Rue Montoyer 61, 1000 Brussels
Confirmed speakers:
Isabel Bottoms, Lead Author of the study , “80 Gigawatts of Change: Egypt’s Future Electricity Pathways”
Mahmoud Al Refai, Co-Author of the study
Malek Kabariti, Former Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (MEMR) of Jordan/Former Chairman of the National Electric Power Co (NEPCO)/ energy policy advisor
Claude Turmes, Group of the Greens/European Free Alliance, European Parliament
Hans Van Steen, Head of Unit, International Relations & Enlargement, DG Energy, European Commission
Amin BENNOUNA, Founder of ISTICHAR Consulting/ Former Vice president of the Moroccan Solar and Wind Industry Association (AMISOLE)
James Watson, Executive Director, SolarPower Europe
Alexandros Yannis, Senior Expert on Energy Diplomacy, European External Action Service
Moderation:
Hendrik Kafsack, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
The evening panel discussion will be followed by a networking dinner.
As space is limited, we kindly ask you to register by Tuesday, 4 October, via the following link:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1YfsUrVv7549ZxUR_g6qZLjw3XLr5-9ql0NyWm6zU7K4/edit#responses
We look forward to your participation!