CEE Energy 2009
The future of the CEE Energy Market 2009 and beyond
24-25th September 2009
Istanbul, Turkey



Conference Proceedings available to order now!

EastEuro Link held its annual CEE Energy event at the beautiful Hotel Ramada Old City in Istanbul, Turkey September 24th & 25th 2009. This prestigious gathering united the most influential market players with the interest of discussing the current Energy market in Central Eastern Europe and the future direction it may take for the remainder of 2009 and beyond.

The conference was chaired by the eloquently spoken and informative Ms. Dana Novakovic, Managing Director at LB Capital Limited in the United Kingdom and the day began with her welcoming address to all event participants. Ms. Novakovic first invited the events keynote speaker Mr. Süreyya Yücel Özden from the World Energy Council and Turkish National Committee who facilitated an interactive analysis of the current market in the CEE and its position on a global scale. Mr. Manfred Pils, Head of Unit Market Management from the Verbund Austrian Power Grid was next to take the stand and discussed the challenge of market coupling in the CEE Energy markets. Following this Mr. John Gulliver, Partner and Senior Energy Attorney from Pierce Atwood assessed the role of the regulator in the market. This speech led to a networking coffee break which provided all participants with the chance to interact and review the morning panels.

After the break, all congregated for Mr. Randy Mott the Founder and CEO of CEERES, Poland who took to the floor and provided excellent insight into the incentives and barriers to Renewable Energy investment in New Member States. Mr. Izzet Talu Vice President from Turkven Private Equity then reviewed the possibilities of investing in the Energy market from the viewpoint of a large investment firm.

Once again a discussion was to follow which provided all event participants with the chance to give their insight and ask pivotal questions before proceeding to a networking lunch break which gave a further chance for all to share their personal market involvement and interests.

The second half of the day started with Ms. Raquel Blanco Collado the Head of Business Development in Europe for Iberdrola in Spain who opened discussion for the panel on ‘Trading strategies to maximise profits’. Her presentation looked at Iberdrola’s involvement in the CEE and the wholesale opportunities from the perspective of a new entrant in the market. Mr. Claus Urbanke the Head of Cross-Border Trading and Operations in Statkraft Markets GmbH from Germany was next to share his insight into the opportunities and challenges for trading power in CEE and SEE. Mr. Zsolt Bojtos, Head of SouthEast Europe Portfolio,CEZ, Czech Republic finished this panel with his views and insight into cross-border trading. A discussion period followed as well as another break and networking opportunity.

To end the first day Mr. Murat Yilmaz a Business Development Manager from South Pole Carbon Asset Management Ltd. in Turkey provided an overview of the Carbon markets and to follow was Mr. Miguel Matias, CEO of Self Energy Group in Portugal who discussed new technologies in Energy with a look at opportunities for ESCO’s. A final discussion took place before Ms. Novakovic gave her final remarks and attendees took the opportunity to relax and enjoy an evening Gala Cocktail Reception.

On the second day Ms. Novakovic once again welcomed the speaker’s and attendees to the conference hall and all listened intently as the day’s presentations began. Mr. Emre Hatem, Manager of project and acquisition finance from Garanti Bank in Turkey started the day by providing insight into financing successful energy projects. Mr. Jason Curtis, Manager of CEE, SEE and Italian Power at Tradition in the United Kingdom followed with development of the markets in the CEE region and the possibilities of translating this to the SEE. The current energy market in Turkey and new investment opportunities were reviewed by Ms. Ayse Kolat, Managing Director of Raiffeisen Investment in Turkey before an interesting discussion and networking break.

After the break, conference chairwoman Ms. Novakovic commenced a second half of the day’s discussion by looking specifically at the energy market in Turkey and the SEE. Next, Mr. Aurel Mindricam from CEZ Trade in Romania provided insight into the current energy market and its future and following this Mr. Anton Krawchenko the Associate Director of Energy & Utilities at Fitch Ratings Ltd. in the United Kingdom informed participants of CEE refining companies and then gave a discussion on the Russian and Ukrainian power market.

Ms. Novakovic provided some final remarks for the event, drawing upon some major areas of importance brought up by speakers and through discussion on both days. She then clarified that the main initiative of the Energy market in CEE is to overcome current market obstacles such as setbacks by the recession and also troublesome legislation. She emphasized the importance of cross border trading and investment opportunities for market expansion and in order to find security in supplies by creating a closely tied regional and European community. Participants left with a new perspective on the market and with a new list of valuable contacts and experiences.

EastEuro Link thanks all delegates and speakers for attending the event and hopes to see many of the same faces at its future Energy events.

To hear information about future events of this kind, or to enquire about purchasing presentations, please contact us london@easteurolink.co.uk or call + 44 (0) 207 275 8020.