South-Eastern Europe is a region gifted with a high potential to increase energy efficiency and to expand renewable energy resources. As such, the high-level conference “Unlocking the Potential for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency in South-Eastern Europe” gathered key decision-makers from South-Eastern Europe at the very beginning of the legislative discussion on the European Commission’s proposal for a revised climate and energy policy framework (Clean Energy for all Europeans-Package), to debate ways to accelerate the transition to a clean energy system in the region. It took place on March 29, from 9.00 to 12.00 in the Representation of the State of North-Rhine Westphalia to the European Union.

The event was jointly organized by Agora Energiewende, the Buildings Performance Institute Europe and the Centre for European Policy Studies and hosted by Members of the European Parliament Georgi Pirinski (S&D) and Claude Turmes (Greens/EFA). A distinguished set of high-level speakers, including Commission Vice-President for Energy Union Maroš Šefčovič, explained the regional context and important cooperation processes underway, presented the latest findings on the available renewables and efficiency potential in the region, discussed challenges in ensuring energy security and consider how innovative financing could significantly reduce the costs of the energy transition in the region to the benefit of consumers and taxpayers alike. The script of the keynote given by Maroš Šefčovič, Vice-President of the Energy Union, is now available.

The conference informed the ongoing legislative discussion on the Clean Energy for All Europeans-Package, and forthcoming Commission proposals on a revised European Fund for Strategic Investment (EFSI 2.0) and the EU’s budget under the Multiannual Financial Framework after 2020. Also, under discussion, how the initiatives and programmes of EIB are stimulating energy efficiency investments in South-Eastern Europe, with best practices related to specific programmes being given.

More information on the high-level conference can be found here.

The slides shown during the event can be downloaded at this link.