Revelle attended the exclusive event hosted by the Greek Energy Forum "The European Energy Union: Turning the Vision into Reality" featuring the Vice President of the European Commission, Maroš Šefčovič, as a keynote speaker. The event was organized on 17th May, in Thessaloniki, Greece with the opportunity of Mr. Šefčovič visit to Thessaloniki for the occasion of the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) Inauguration Construction Ceremony. The inauguration was under the auspices of Alexis Tsipras, Prime Minister of Greece with and the 300 high-level guests list included dignitaries from Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey, Greece, Albania, Turkey, Bulgaria as well as energy companies such as BP, SOCAR, Snam, Fluxys, Enagás and Axpo.
Mr. Šefčovič stressed the importance of Greece as an energy hub and the major role it can play in Energy Union. The Energy Union is an initiative of the European Commission, launched in February 2015 with the aim of providing secure, sustainable, competitive, affordable energy for European citizens. Mr. Šefčovič strongly support this initiative and believes that “that the Energy Union can be the next chapter in our integration story; And a very positive chapter because by Europanising our energy we can energise the European Union!”.
Diversification of suppliers and energy security was at the heart of the Mr. Šefčovič speech. At the moment, Europe is importing two thirds of its natural gas from Russian, Norway and Algeria, leaving the continent vulnerable to gas supply disruptions and thus raising concerns over security of supply – a situation that was became evident during the Ukraine gas flow disruptions in 2006 and 2009. In this context, the Trans Adriatic pipeline (Southern Gas Corridor), a pipeline that will allow transport of gas from Azeri fields (through TANAP) and across Greece, Albania and the Adriatic Sea helps Greece and the EU diversify its supplies and thus benefiting the overall energy security of Europe. The new Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) port in Alexandroupoli, which is on the list of the European Commission's priority projects, will also play a major role in the diversification of suppliers as it allows LNG, in particular American shale gas to reach Europe. The gas can join the existing DESFA pipeline network and also TAP, further strengthening Greece’s role in the European energy landscape.
Regarding the future, Mr. Šefčovič also touched upon the “Strategy for Decarbonisation of Transport”, the revised Energy Efficiency Package including the revision of the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED), the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), the Smart Financing for Smart Buildings initiative, a legislative proposal to redesign the electricity market, and the production of a Renewable Energy Package, that will provide the right framework to achieve the binding EU-level target of at least 27% renewable energy by 2030 in a timely and cost-effective manner.
Terpsi Ketegeni, Project Manager @Revelle Group
