HELLENiQ ENERGY Center for Sustainability and Energy @Alba Launch Event

Aiming to create an ecosystem that connects the academic and business communities, along with governmental institutions and the society, to systematically promote dialogue among stakeholders in the energy sector, based on basic and applied scientific research and business excellence.
Reshape the energy, environment and sustainability research landscape, integrating economic, environmental, and social considerations in research endeavors for the first time.
Advance innovative technologies and methods in the energy and sustainability sectors.
Supports the training of managers, professionals and students and the talent development in the energy sector.

HELLENiQ ENERGY and Alba Graduate Business School, The American College of Greece, are jointly establishing for the first time in Greece Center of Excellence in Energy and Sustainability. The center aims to become a reference point for Greece and Southeastern Europe by bringing together entrepreneurship and academic expertise to address contemporary challenges in the energy sector and advance sustainable development.

The HELLENiQ ENERGY Center for Sustainability and Energy @Alba Graduate Business School was officially announced on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, during a special event at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC). The event was attended by representatives from the government, academia, the business and financial sectors, energy organizations, and regulatory authorities.

This is the first of its kind collaboration in Greece, between a major company and an academic institution to establish a Center of Excellence dedicated to Energy and Sustainability. The development of the center is overseen by a five-member Steering Committee, consisting of the Academic Director of the Center, the Dean of Alba, and three distinguished independent members from the academic and business communities:

Prof. Dr. Kostas Andriosopoulos – Professor, Director of the HELLENiQ Energy Center for Sustainability and Energy.

Prof. Dr. Kostas Axarloglou – Dean, Alba Graduate Business School.

Prof. Dr. Kyriaki Kosmidou – Professor of Finance and Banking, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.

Ms. Theodora Antonakaki – Director of the Climate Change and Sustainability Center, Bank of Greece.

Mr. Yiannis Kostopoulos – Economist, former CEO of Hellenic Petroleum.

The HELLENiQ ENERGY Center for Sustainability and Energy @Alba Graduate Business School seeks to engage all stakeholders of the energy sector—including the state, academia, businesses, civil society, and public administration—to participate in a structured dialogue and a collective exploration of challenges, with a special emphasis on sustainability.

The center’s activities will include:

Events

Annual Energy & Sustainability Knowledge Forum,
Working Meetings,
Invited Talks,
Incubator Synergy Hub

Research & Publications

Opinion Articles,
Monthly Publications,
Semi-Annual Publications,
Scientific Papers,
Case Studies,
Research Projects,
Podcast Series,

Academic Training and Corporate Executive Training

Specialized Workshops,
Executive Program in Energy Business – Beginning in March 2025,
MSc in Energy Management – To be launched in 2026

In these initiatives leading experts and executives from the energy sector will contribute. Among them HELLENiQ ENERGY executives will also participate as speakers in the center’s activities. The academic programs will contribute to the development of young talents wishing to specialize in the Energy sector, further facilitating their professional perspective, and are expected to be an attraction for researchers and academics. While in the “Incubator Synergy Hub” energy sector start-ups will have the opportunity to showcase their ideas and businesses to attract investment and funding.

Presenting the initiative on behalf of HELLENiQ ENERGY, the company's CEO, Mr. Andreas Siasimisis, stressed: "The cooperation with ALBA Graduate Business School is a strategic choice for HELLENiQ ENERGY, as it is one of the most prestigious educational institutions that has strong links with the labor market and is actively supported by SEV. It is part of a series of initiatives and partnerships with academic institutions in Greece and abroad. The Energy sector is an important part of Green and Sustainable Development. The operation of this Centre of Excellence comes to strengthen the dialogue between stakeholders, helping to formulate effective policy and supporting the training of a new generation of executives and the perspective on the need to operate with more balanced criteria. For our part, we are committed to contributing by transferring know-how from our executives, strengthening the interface with the State and the industry, and by contributing to academic research to develop innovation through the pioneering research programs we are already implementing as a leading energy company that is rapidly transforming and leading developments."

In his address during the launch event of the Centre, the President of the American College of Greece, Dr. David G. Horner, noted: "Already since the period of the economic crisis, the American College of Greece has taken initiatives to develop programs that help strengthen the Greek economy. We express our gratitude for this insightful collaboration between the Alba Association, Alba Graduate Business School and HELLENIQ ENERGY for the creation of the HELLENIQ ENERGY Center for Sustainability and Energy @Alba, which we believe has significant potential to contribute to the dynamic growth of the Greek economy."

The Dean of the Alba Association and Professor Dr. Kostas Axarloglou, respectively, said: "The rapid development of the energy ecosystem in the wider Mediterranean region makes energy vital to the economy. HELLENiQ ENERGY and Alba Graduate Business School, The American College of Greece are joining forces with the establishment of the "HELLENiQ ENERGY Center in Sustainability and Energy @Alba", and a common vision to make the Center a hub and reference point of the energy ecosystem in the wider region. Our commitment is to contribute the Center to a holistic and objective approach to energy issues, actively supporting the energy ecosystem, society and the transformation of our country into an energy hub."

The Director of the "HELLENiQ ENERGY Center for Sustainability and Energy @Alba Graduate Business School", Professor Dr. Kostas Andriossopoulos, pointed out: "The Center aims to transform the energy dialogue by approaching the energy transition holistically, promoting collaboration between academia, industry and political leadership. Our mission is to highlight the importance of applied research, foster sustainable innovation and educate future leaders in the sector. Through targeted academic programs, research projects and collaborations with both industry and the international academic community, the Centre aspires to act as a catalyst for advancing knowledge and excellence in the industry."

A short address at the launch event of the Centre was given by the Deputy Minister of Environment and Energy, Ms. Alexandra Sdoukou and the Vice-President of the European Investment Bank, Mr. Ioannis Tsakiris, followed by a discussion on "Energy Transition Challenges: a Stakeholder Discussion". Participants included Mr. Nikos Tsafos, Special Advisor to the Prime Minister on Energy matters, Prof. Dr. Tatiana Mitrova, Researcher, Center on Global Energy Policy, Columbia University, Prof. Dr. Derek Bunn, Professor, Decision Sciences / Management Science and Operations and Chief Examiner of London Business School and, CEO of the Athens Stock Exchange Group (ATHEXGROUP).