1st Energy & Sustainability and Knowledge Forum: Reframingthe Energy Transition

Welcome Address

• Edward C. Wingenbach, Ph.D., President, American College of Greece
• John Saracakis, President, American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce
• Andreas Shiamishis, CEO, HELLENiQ ENERGY
• Prof. Dr. Kostas Andriosopoulos, Director, HELLENiQ ENERGY Center for Sustainability and Energy @Alba Graduate Business School

Session 1: The strategic role of Greece in regional energy security

10.45 – 11.15 Fireside Chat

Thematic Topics:

• Greece’s Strategic Role: From Energy Bridge to Regional Powerhouse
• Energy Corridors and Regional Cooperation: Securing Supply and Diversification
• Transatlantic Energy Partnership: U.S. Investments in Oil, LNG and Security

Speakers

• Stavros Papastavrou, Minister of Environment and Energy
• Kimberly Guilfoyle, U.S. Ambassador to the Hellenic Republic
• Andreas Shiamishis, CEO, HELLENiQ ENERGY

In discussion with:

• Prof. Dr. Kostas Andriosopoulos, Director, HELLENiQ ENERGY Center for Sustainability and Energy @Alba Graduate Business School

Session 2: Unlocking the Transition: Market Tools, Financing and Economies of Scale

Thematic Topics:

• Scaling new Technologies: Energy Storage, Offshore Wind and Alternative Fuels
• Green Finance and De-Risking: Making Emerging Technologies Affordable
•Blended Financing and PPPs: Mobilizing Capital for Large-Scale Green Projects
• National Energy Funding Programs and Public-Private Cooperation

11:15 – 12:00 Panel discussion 

Speakers

• Despoina Paliarouta, Secretary General for Energy and Mineral Resources, Ministry of Environment and Energy
• Vasilis Tsaitas, Group CFO, HELLENiQ ENERGY
• Konstantinos Eleftheriadis, Partner, Energy, Resources & Industrial Sector Leader, Deloitte
• Gianfranco Scalabrini, Professor, Luiss Business School

Moderator: Prof. Dr. Kyriaki Kosmidou, Director of the Postgraduate Studies in Master in Business Administration-MBA, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Steering Committee member, HELLENiQ ENERGY Center for Sustainability and Energy @Alba Graduate Business School

12:00 - 12:15 Fireside Chat

• Nikos Papathanasis, Alternate Minister of Economy & Finance

In discussion with:

• Prof. Dr. Kyriaki Kosmidou, Director of the Postgraduate Studies in Master in Business Administration-MBA, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Steering Committee member, HELLENiQ ENERGY Center for Sustainability and Energy @Alba Graduate Business School

Session 3: Balancing Cost, Climate & Competitiveness — The Energy Transition Dilemma

Thematic Topics:

•  Greece as a Regional Energy Hub and Attracting Strategic Capital
•  Significance of Domestic Hydrocarbon Exploration within a Balanced Transition Framework
•  Reconciling Climate Ambition with Affordability and Sustainable Growth

12:15 – 12:30 Fireside Chat

•    Alexandra Sdoukou, Spokesperson for Nea Demokratia party

In discussion with:

•    Yiannis Costopoulos, Steering Committee member, HELLENiQ ENERGY Center for Sustainability and Energy @Alba Graduate Business School

12:30 – 13.20 Panel discussion 

Speakers:

• George Alexopoulos, Deputy CEO, Group Strategic Planning and New Activities General Manager, HELLENiQ ENERGY
• Maria-Rita Galli, CEO, DESFA
• Aristofanis (Aris) Stefatos, CEO, HEREMA
• Liana Gouta, Director General, FuelsEurope
• George Tsopelas, Chairman, McKinsey & Company, Greece & Cyprus

Moderator: Yiannis Costopoulos, Steering Committee member, HELLENiQ ENERGY Center for Sustainability and Energy @Alba Graduate Business School

Lunch Break 

Session 4: Decarbonization, Carbon Markets, and EU Regulatory Challenges
Thematic Topics:

•    Decarbonization Incentives and Competitiveness in Global Supply Chains
•    Evolving EU Carbon Regulation and Implications for Greece’s Energy-Intensive Economy
•    Carbon Markets & the Real Economy

14:15 – 14:30 Fireside Chat

• Gerassimos Thomas, Directorate-General for Taxation and Customs Union, European Commission

In discussion with:

• Theodora Antonakaki, Director, Climate and Sustainability Center, Bank of Greece, Steering Committee member, HELLENiQ ENERGY Center for Sustainability and Energy @Alba Graduate Business School

14:30 – 15:00 Panel discussion 

Speakers

• Antonis Mountouris, Director, HSE & Sustainable Development, HELLENiQ ENERGY
• Dimitri Zenghelis, Special Advisor, Bennett Institute of Public Policy, University of Cambridge

Moderator: Theodora Antonakaki, Director, Climate and Sustainability Center, Bank of Greece, Steering Committee member, HELLENiQ ENERGY Center for Sustainability and Energy @Alba Graduate Business School

Session 5: Education, Reskilling, and Leadership in Energy Transition

Thematic Topics:

• From NECPs to Human Capital: Aligning National Energy Plans with Workforce Development
• Bridging the Skills Gap: Building a Net-Zero Workforce through Education and Innovation
• Reskilling Strategies and Leadership for the Energy Transition Era

15:00 - 15:15 Fireside Chat

• Niki Kerameus, Minister of Labour and Social Security

In discussion with:

• Prof. Kostas Axarloglou, Dean, Alba Association, Steering Committee member, HELLENiQ ENERGY Center for Sustainability and Energy @Alba Graduate Business School

15:15 – 16:00 Panel discussion 

Speakers

• Prof. Konstantinos Aravossis, Scientific Director CE & Sustainability Institute at National Technical University of Athens

• Prof. Georgios Vokas, Professor, University of West Attica

• Prof. Pavlos A. Vlachos, Theodore Papalexopoulos Chair in Sustainability, Alba Association

• Dr. Robert (RJ) Johnston, Director of Energy and Natural Resources Policy, Professor, School of Public Policy, University of Calgary (online)

Moderator: Prof. Kostas Axarloglou, Dean, Alba Association, Steering Committee member, HELLENiQ ENERGY Center for Sustainability and Energy @Alba Graduate Business School

Session 6: AI and Digital Transformation in the Energy Transition

Thematic Topics:

• AI & Digital Transformation in Energy Companies
• The Sustainability and Energy Footprint of AI
• AI for Energy Market Design and System Optimisation
• People, Processes, and Digital Culture in the Energy Transition

16:00 - 17:00 Panel discussion 

• George Konstantelos, Director Digital Technologies, HELLENiQ ENERGY
• Jiorgis Kritsotakis, Managing Director, Resources Lead, Accenture
• Antonis Oikonomou, Enterprise Commercial Director, Microsoft
• Prof. Dr. Athanasios Dagoumas, Associate Professor in Energy and Resource Economics, University of Piraeus, Chief Data Engineer, DeepRunner.ai

Moderator: Prof. Dr. Kostas Andriosopoulos, Director, HELLENiQ ENERGY Center for Sustainability and Energy @Alba Graduate Business School

Closing Remarks

• Prof. Dr. Kostas Andriosopoulos, Director, HELLENiQ ENERGY Center for Sustainability and Energy @Alba Graduate Business School