On 15 September, energy experts and policymakers from the Nordic and Baltic countries will gather in Riga to discuss energy security in the region and the protection of critical infrastructure.
The Nordic and Baltic countries share the ambition of creating a closely integrated, secure and sustainable energy system. But as energy systems become more closely interconnected, so do the risks and challenges. The coming years will therefore be crucial for strengthening regional coordination and the ability to align action in the event of potential threats, while maintaining high standards of environmental protection.
At the Nordic-Baltic Energy Conference, leading experts will seek answers to questions that are becoming increasingly relevant in a closely interconnected energy system: What happens when critical infrastructure is damaged? How quickly can energy supply be restored in each country? Are all countries in the region prepared to act in a coordinated manner? And what kind of cooperation between governments, the energy sector and citizens is needed to ensure that security and the transition to greener energy reinforce rather than constrain each other?
“Energy supply is not only an energy issue – it is part of our region’s security. When facing common risks to critical infrastructure – including in the Baltic Sea that connects us – we can achieve more if we see them as a shared threat rather than a burden for individual countries. We can do more together on energy security. There is a lot of expertise in the region that we are not using enough. That is why we have invited leading experts and policymakers to Riga – to strengthen preparedness for crises, rather than simply respond to them when they occur.”
– Nina Hvid Enevaldsen,
Director of the Nordic Council of Ministers’ Office in Latvia
At the conference, opening address by Nordic Council of Ministers Secretary General Karen Ellemann will be followed by a high-level discussion on energy security in the region with the Finnish energy security expert Antti Viktor Rauhala, as well as representatives of the relevant authorities in Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia on the stage. The discussion will draw on the latest report on energy security in the Nordic countries by Nordic Energy Research, which sets out practical proposals for closer Nordic cooperation in this area.
The conference will also touch upon Ukraine’s experience in strengthening energy resilience in times of crisis, decentralised energy generation, building up battery reserves and the preparedness of local energy systems for crises. Moreover, experts will discuss the next stage of Baltic-Nordic energy system integration, including cross-border infrastructure, the development of offshore wind energy and new energy interconnections.
Conference details
15 September, 09:00–17:00
Venue: Kokaru Hall, Lūcijas Garūtas aleja 8, Mežaparks, Riga.
Language: English
Participation: Free of charge
Programme: https://ej.uz/hat53
The conference will be livestreamed on the Nordic Council of Ministers’ Office in Latvia YouTube channel and Facebook page.
Media representatives will have the opportunity to interview Nordic and Baltic experts during the conference.
Media representatives are invited to register for the conference by 10:00 on 14 September and, if needed, arrange interviews by contacting Anita Miruškinа (anita.miruskina@norden.lv / + 371 28058515), Head of Communications at the Nordic Council of Ministers’ Office in Latvia.
Marking its 35th anniversary, the conference is organised by the Nordic Council of Ministers’ Office in Latvia in cooperation with Nordic Energy Research and the Nordic Council of Ministers’ Offices in Lithuania and Estonia.
