The International Conference "Nordic - Baltic Energy Perspectives - Climate Change, Energy Security and Exportability of Energy Solutions" will be held in Riga on April 19, 2017, but on the next day, April 20, B2B matchmaking event will serve as a platform to develop business relationships for market development in Baltics and further east towards Central Asia.
The goal of the conference is strengthened joint vision of the Baltic and Nordic countries in terms of energy security, cybersecurity, market governance, as well as increased awareness of how renewable energy resources will impact the energy playground within climate change regulatory framework.
Taking into account the relevance of the topic, the conference aims to identify energy security challenges, and set vision for the future energy cooperation development between Baltic and Nordic regions, as well as consider exportability of energy solutions to Central Asia. B2B matchmaking event will serve as a platform to develop business relationships for market development in Baltics and further east towards Central Asia.
This conference follows in the footsteps of the Energy Security Commission, established by the President of Latvia in order to assess the current developments of Latvian energy policy and make recommendations for its improvement. Chair of the President’s Energy Security Committee, Juris Ozolins, says: "After the dramatic structural transformations of European energy systems and property relations it is high time to focus on why all of this was done - the practical application of new technologies and expertise. Due to sustainable technologies consumers have acquired yet unprecedented possibilities. The planet’s future lies in the hands of energy producers and consumers alike."
This is also an opportunity to continue to raise the visibility and awareness of energy issues in the Baltic and Nordic region. Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Economics Arvils Ašeradens admits: "Baltic and Nordic energy cooperation is very important – it was due to the electricity market cooperation that the Baltic “energy island” has turned into a region with one of the most active electricity markets in Europe. Development of inter-Baltic power connections over the last three years has contributed to a significant fall in wholesale prices, thus increasing the competitiveness of Baltic energy and providing a new market for Nordic energy producers as well. However, I am convinced that our potential for cooperation is far from exhausted – considering the recent developments on the EU single energy market, Latvia together with other Baltic States is determined to become a major energy transit corridor for Nordic deliveries to other European countries. In the future we hope to use the significant experience gained from the electricity market in creating a unified regional Baltic-Finnish natural gas market. Likewise, the successfully operational Baltic-Nordic electricity wholesale market with its characteristically high proportion of renewable energy can serve as a valuable model for reform in other parts of the world."
Conference is organized by the Nordic Council of Ministers' Office in Latvia in collaboration with the Norwegian, Finnish and Swedish Embassies in Latvia. The Norwegian Ambassador to Latvia Steinar Egil Hagen says: “One of the main priorities of the 2017 Norwegian Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers is to provide Nordic inspiration on climate, environment and energy issues. These are areas of mutual interest for our region. Norway is a major energy producer and has top expertise in the area, and energy security is also an important area for partnership between the Nordic Council of Ministers and the Baltic countries. For these reasons the Norwegian Embassy in Riga through the EEA/Norway Grants is pleased to support this conference which aims to identify upcoming energy security challenges and strengthen a joint vision of the Baltic and Nordic countries in terms of regional challenges and cooperation in the energy sector.”
For more information, please contact: Maija Kāle, Advisor of the Nordic Council of Ministers' Office in Latvia, +371 26114496, maija@norden.lv
Matchmaking between Nordic and Baltic SMEs and clusters (in Russian)
List of matchmaking event participants
