European Energy Symposium: New Challenges in 2012

Online, March 15, 2012 (Newswire.com) - One year after the devastating earthquake and ensuing tsunami in Japan changed views around the world on energy policy and power generation, the EU Ukraine Business Council in partnership with Brodies LLP gathered together decision makers from the European Commission and the European Parliament with industry experts from the oil, gas, electricity and renewables sectors, trade associations, interest groups and specialists to discuss the EU's energy policy for future competitive markets.

The participants discussed the role of regulation and competition law in the energy sector, the impact on relations with the Eastern Partners under Neighbourhood Agreements; reviewed the reactions to offshore accidents post Macondo and analyzed proposed EU legislation on Health and Safety. The Symposium gave a possibility to explore electricity grid network options to facilitate power exports and the prospects for renewables in 2012.

Philip Lowe Director-General of Energy delivered the key note address at the Symposium "The Future of Europe's Energy Policy". Mr Lowe stressed the EU's commitment to the 2020 agenda and the importance of the effective promotion of renewables and technology research. "The continental energy market offers much more efficiency and economies of scale," he said. "We must invest in a more secure infrastructure with the integration of renewables and intelligent systems. We are in the middle of a massive revolution which is bringing energy businesses closer to its consumers. The need for investment is huge, and we must do our best to make progress in difficult conditions to help industry and governments to build the infrastructure necessary."

Commenting on the EU-Ukraine energy relationship, Nicholas Tymoshchuk of TNK-BP said, « When it comes to the gas market the EU and Ukraine face similar challenges and have common opportunitiies to explore. The EU and Ukraine have been net importers of natural gas long term, and both can address this by increasing domestic production, exploring their hydrocarbon supplies in particular of unconventional gas. »

Speaking on Health and Safety, Greg May, Partner at Brodies LLP said, "The recent Macondo and Fukushima disasters have focused international attention on the importance of sourcing energy safely. The UK oil & gas sector is fortunate to have one of the most robust health and safety regimes in the world, built on the difficult lessons learnt from Piper Alpha. Our experience tells us that we need to share knowledge and best practice to ensure a safe and dynamic future for the oil & gas and wider energy sector. Our oil & gas, renewables and public law teams are well placed to contribute to the debate and offer expertise to companies across the industry to help them make the right decisions."

Mark Clough who moderated the Conference, and Christine O'Neill who oversee Brodies Brussels Office congratulated the EU Ukraine Business Council and their sponsors for having organized such a fruitful and informative symposium.

The EU-Ukraine Business Council is an independent CEO-level forum for European and Ukrainian business leaders that is set up as a non-profit making organisation in order to promote trade and investment between the EU and Ukraine, to assist companies to develop business opportunities, to promote dialogue between governments and companies to help solve market access difficulties and overcome regulatory obstacles both for Ukrainian businesses in the EU and EU businesses in Ukraine.
Contacts for further information: James Wilson [email protected] and Ekaterina Tsaranok [email protected].