NB Energy conference: “How to reconcile regional energy markets with green transition?“ (Day 1)
Channel: Norden Estonia
Date: 2023-12-21

The Nordic-Baltic Energy conference is a follow up to the series of conferences that focus on regional challenges and prospects since 2011. These conferences and roundtables have proved to be very instrumental in gathering key energy stakeholders in Tallinn in the so called Nordic-Baltic 8 (that is 5 Nordics + 3 Baltics) - NB8 format.

Topics discussed on the first day: 
- How to reconcile markets with green transition?
- Electricity market deep dive: Contracts for difference (CfD), regional financing disparities and new instruments to accelerate transition.
- Topical session energy efficiency and renewable energy: New EU legislation is being adopted in Fit for 55. What are the implications for the Nordics and the Baltics? Countries are in the phase of updating their plans.

Speakers on the first day of the conference:
- Keit Kasemets, State Secretary, Estonian Ministry of Climate
- Maria Gratschew, director, Nordic Council of Ministers’ Office in Estonia
- Hans van Steen, DG ENER, EU Commission
- Tanguy de Bienassis, International Energy Agency (IEA)
- Luis Janeiro, Programme Officer – Team Lead End-use Sectors, IRENA
- Mark Lane, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)
- Kristin Rasdal, Industry Policy Advisor, Renewables Norway/Nordenergi
- Rota Snuka, Latvian regulator (NRA)
- Maarit Uusitalo, Head of Unit Market Solutions, Fingrid
- Rene Tammist, Board member, Utilitas
- Liutauras Varanavicius, Litgrid
- Hans van Steen, Principal Adviser, DG ENER
- Ilkka Hannula, IEA. Virtual presentation
- Rein Vaks, Head of Energy Department, Ministry of Climate
- Rasmus Tengvad, Danish Energy Agency
- Ulla Suomi, Director, Motiva, Finland.

Timestamps:
0:00:00 - Opening words
0:21:00 - “Implementing the European Green Deal in the Nordics and the Baltics. RePowerEU as a tool for transition.”, Hans van Steen, DG ENER, EU Commission
0:57:45 - “New net-zero outlook. Global and regional challenges in green transition. The role of the Nordics and Baltics.”, Tanguy de Bienassis, International Energy Agency (IEA). Virtual presentation
1:25:35 - “The global outlook for renewable energy. The challenge of managing intermittency”, Luis Janeiro, Programme Officer – Team Lead End-use Sectors, IRENA
1:45:00 - “Financing perspectives on new market design and energy transition”, Mark Lane, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)
2:05:57 - “What change will the EU´s electricity market reform bring to the energy industry?”, Kristin Rasdal, Industry Policy Advisor, Renewables Norway/Nordenergi
02:24:52 - “Views from the regulator on new electricity market design”, Rota Snuka, Latvian regulator (NRA)
2:44:45 - “Deployment and financing clean energy in Finland”, Maarit Uusitalo, Head of Unit Market Solutions, Fingrid
3:03:40 - “Challenges for project developer”, Rene Tammist, Board member, Utilitas
3:19:09 - “The vision, challenges and opportunities of the development of the green, RES-based energy system”, Liutauras Varanavicius, Litgrid
3:32:37 - Panel discussion, Electricity market deep dive
3:55:20 - “EED and RED directives in Fit for 55. What is new? Are they realistic? What investments are needed?”, Hans van Steen, Principal Adviser, DG ENER
4:27:15 - “Overall view on the Nordic Baltic region on promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy.”, Ilkka Hannula, IEA. Virtual presentation
4:48:20 - “How will Nordic and Baltic countries respond to the “Energy Efficiency First” principle and what are the plans in renewable energy. Country cases.”
4:48:24 - Case of Estonia, Rein Vaks, Head of Energy Department, Ministry of Climate
5:02:40 - Case of Denmark, Rasmus Tengvad, Danish Energy Agency
5:27:55 - “Implementing energy efficiency in Finland - the role of Motiva”, Ulla Suomi, Director, Motiva, Finland

The conference is organized and sponsored by the Nordic Council of Ministers Senior Energy Officials Committee and is an integrated part of the Nordic Energy Policy Cooperation programme 2022-2024.