Events
Shaping a Resilient and Cooperative Mediterranean Energy Transition: Lessons Learned and New Challenges : 2nd Meeting of the Mediterranean Energy Experts Circle
From
To
By invitation
The energy transition in the Mediterranean region takes place in a constantly evolving global and regional setting, shaped through geopolitical shifts, changes in demand and supply of different energy sources, new and adapted international agreements and regulatory frameworks, technological innovations, and other dynamics. This requires political and economic decisionmakers to adapt their strategies, priorities, and models accordingly, in order to guarantee energy security and to shape a resilient energy transition.
The agreement on transitioning away from fossil fuels coming out of last year’s COP28 has been heralded as pivotal step for the global energy transition and is set to decisively influence future energy transition trajectories and strategies. These implications seem particularly relevant for countries in the wider Mediterranean region, characterized by a significant reliance on fossil sources. The complementary goals to triple the global renewable energy capacities and to double the efforts in the field of energy security, guide the way for future energy transition roadmaps. Beyond reinforced national efforts, this transition necessitates regional and global cooperation between countries as levers to effectively accelerate the energy transition.
In this context, the Policy Center for the New South (PCNS) and the Regional Programme on Energy Security and Climate Change in the Middle East and North Africa of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS-REMENA) are inviting a group of experts from the broader Mediterranean region for the second meeting of the Mediterranean Energy Experts Circle.
This meeting aims to comprehensively address crucial aspects, such as the role of traditional energy sources in energy transitions, challenges and models for scaling up renewables as well as accelerating energy efficiency in the Mediterranean. It will also discuss financing for a resilient energy transition and explore the implications of low-carbon hydrogen on the Mediterranean energy and geopolitical landscape. Ultimately, this gathering aims to foster continued dialogue and cooperation for achieving a resilient and cooperative energy transition amidst changing climate and energy challenges as well as dynamic geopolitical developments in the region. This meeting will also be an occasion to highlight lessons learned and to formulate recommendations to support policymakers in integrating resilience considerations into their decision-making processes around energy transition, as well as shedding light on the necessary mechanisms to implement them.
Agenda
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Monday, April 22, 2024 |
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19h00 – 19h15 |
Welcoming remarks |
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19h15 |
Welcoming dinner |
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Tuesday, April 23, 2024 |
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09h00 – 10h45 |
Panel 1 The future of traditional energy sources in the context of energy transitions in the Mediterranean In how far is the COP28 agreement changing trajectories and strategies for fossil fuel production and use in Mediterranean countries? What is the current and projected role of natural gas as transitional source? How does this impact existing natural gas projects and recent discoveries in the Eastern Mediterranean? What role do energy subsidy reforms play in the Mediterranean energy transition and what can we learn in this regard from previous energy subsidy reforms in the MENA region? How can existing expertise and infrastructure from the fossil fuel sector be utilised and repurposed in support of the energy transition? |
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10h45 – 11h15 |
Coffee break |
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11h15 – 13h00 |
Panel 2 “Double down, triple up”: Potentials and pitfalls of scaling-up renewable energy sources and accelerating energy efficiency in the Mediterranean How can changing demand and supply dynamics in the context of scaled-up renewable energy capacities in the Mediterranean region be adequately managed? What measures are needed to be undertaken to make decentralised energy systems a lever for shaping a resilient energy transition in the Mediterranean? In what ways does energy efficiency play into the Mediterranean energy transition and what role can cities play in accelerating energy efficiency efforts? What role do citizens play in successfully achieving the energy transition and how can their involvement be ensured? |
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13h00 – 14h15 |
Lunch |
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14h15 – 16h00 |
Panel 3 Financing a resilient energy transition: from barriers to actionable solutions How is climate finance currently used for the energy transition and how this be optimized? What funding opportunities are particularly relevant for the Mediterranean and how can we unlock them in the Mediterranean context? What can innovative financing models for energy projects in the Mediterranean look like? Which approaches can be utilized to finance cross-border energy projects? What can we learn from the EU experience in this regard? What role can the private sector play in financing green energy projects and which policies and incentives are needed to attract such private investment? |
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16h00 – 16h15 |
Coffee break |
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16h15 – 17h30 |
Roundtable Low-carbon hydrogen beyond the hype: Implications of the new energy carrier for the Mediterranean energy and geopolitical landscape How will hydrogen reshape the Mediterranean and global energy and geopolitical landscape? What are potential new fault lines and where does potential for cooperation lie? How can the Mediterranean region best utilise its hydrogen potential beyond economic interest? |
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19h00 |
Dinner |
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Wednesday, April 24, 2024 |
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09h00 – 10h45 |
Panel 4 Towards a resilient and cooperative energy transition in changing climate and evolving geopolitics in the Mediterranean What is the feasibility of regional interconnection projects given the diversity in transmission and distribution infrastructure among Mediterranean countries? How can these projects be launched and maintained during times of energy crisis and geopolitical turbulence? How have prospects and risks for regional energy cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean changed with recent developments? What are the implications for future energy cooperation? What governance framework is needed to enable a cooperative and resilient energy transition in the Mediterranean and how advanced are different countries in this regard respectively? What role can international public-private partnerships play in building a resilient and sustainable energy transition? |
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10h45 – 11h15 |
Coffee break |
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11h15 – 12h45 |
Workshop Energy transition resilience dimensions and mechanisms What are the different aspects and obstacles to be taken into account as well as concrete measures to be undertaken in the various dimensions of energy transition resilience (e.g. energy systems, governance, finance, policy)? |
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12h45 – 13h15 |
Feedback round and concluding remarks |
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13h15 |
Lunch |
