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29 April 2021
10h00 – 15h00 EEST
HYBRID CONFERENCE
ABOUT THE EVENT
The event “WindWorks. Powering Latvia’s energy future” is a hybrid wind energy conference bringing together experienced international energy experts, stakeholders and policy makers to discuss the future of wind energy in Latvia.
Wind energy is a fast-growing energy technology, but to deliver on its vast potential, we need substantial investments, favourable policies and regulation in support. Climate neutral technologies are key to building a clean and sustainable economy. Countries like Denmark have set an example inspiring others by harnessing wind energy as a cheap and renewable source of energy.
The conference is organised by the Latvian Wind Energy Association in close cooperation with the Danish Embassy in Latvia and business technology platform BiSMART.
BACKGROUND
The transition to green energy sources is changing global energy markets. Wind energy has developed into a commercial energy resource highly competitive compared to traditional energy resources.
Latvia has committed to ambitious energy and climate targets by 2030 – increasing its share of renewable energy to 50% and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 65% (compared to 1991). Climate and sustainability solutions are key in Europe´s and Latvia´s economic recovery. A large potential for wind energy, both on-shore and off-shore, exists with an opportunity for attracting new investments, and creating green and innovative jobs in Latvia. Wind has the potential to power Latvia´s economic and green transition.
Denmark is an international pioneer in green transition and has shown that renewable energy is a growth sector of the future. Today, close to half of Denmark´s electricity is powered by wind. With a world-leading wind industry, experiences from Denmark´s green transition over the past several decades may serve as inspiration.
This year is the centenary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Denmark and Latvia. With this event, Danish Embassy in Latvia, Latvian Wind Energy Association and BiSMART celebrate the excellent relations by looking forward to a greener future together.
PROGRAMME
Join Us
10.00
WELCOME BY JURIS KABAKOVS
CEO, BiSMART. Introduction of the speakers
10:05
EGILS LEVITS
President of the Republic of Latvia
10:10
KADRI SIMSON
European Commissioner for Energy
10:15
DAN JØRGENSEN
Danish Minister for Climate, Energy and Utilities
10:20
JĀNIS VITENBERGS
Minister of Economics of the Republic of Latvia
10:30
WIND ENERGY BENEFITS AND POTENTIAL IN LATVIA
Energy portfolio is dominated by large hydro and combined heat and power plants while wind power is reaching a relatively sizeable contribution only occasionally. The grid can take in much more power than it does now as it has been upgraded in Kurzeme and Vidzeme regions. Development of wind energy has been stagnating over the last ten or more years. Four groups of factors influence deployment of wind energy (assuming there are financial resources to invest): the regulatory environment, the political environment, public opinion, and availability of physical space. This panel aims to discuss some of the factors. Join the panel discussion to hear opinions from the government and business, local and international.
Giles Dickson, CEO, WindEurope
Andris Vanags, Managing Director, Latvian Wind Energy Association
Marianne Beck Hassl, Senior Regulatory Advisor, Ørsted
Edijs Šaicāns, Undersecretary of State, Latvian Ministry of Economics
Gatis Junghāns, Member of the Board, Transmission system operator in Latvia “Augstsprieguma tīkls”
Moderator: Reinis Āboltiņš, Researcher, Riga Technical University
11:30
WIND ENERGY AS ECONOMY BOOSTER; INVESTMENT IN THE POST-PANDEMIC WORLD
Countries in Europe are looking towards recovery and transition to a climate-neutral economy by 2050 with intermediate goals in 2030. Significant investments in renewable energy are foreseen, creating economic growth and new jobs. Wind energy is seen as one of the key contributors to an increased renewable and overall power generation capacity, albeit it is not the only energy technology looking for a new role. Join this panel to learn more about the economic aspects of wind energy.
Juris Antužs, Managing Director, Enefit Green Latvia
Gatis Galviņš, Board member, Eolus Latvia
Reinis Āzis, Deputy Director General, Investment and Development Agency of Latvia
Marco Francini, Head of EIB Group Office for the Baltic States, European Investment Bank
Michal Laskowski, Vestas Sales director for Poland, the Baltics and the Balkan region
Moderator: Reinis Āboltiņš, Researcher, Riga Technical University
12:30
LET US DO #YIMBY,
NOT #NIMBY *
Social acceptance is a key challenge for the deployment of wind energy. Studies indicate that early involvement and thinking of benefits to local communities on top of information and education facilitates social acceptance of wind energy. A generally positive attitude towards issues like nature conservation and renewable energy does not necessarily translate into action because of both internal and external barriers of individuals. Often, local communities do not link the presence of actual physi- cal infrastructure with the gains for the overall energy system, reduction of pollution and climate benefits, or less dependence on fossil fuels. Join this panel to discuss how we can gain social acceptance for wind energy development in Latvia.
Andris Akermanis, Energy advisor, Latvian Association of Local and Regional Governments
Alda Ozola, Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development of Latvia, Deputy State Secretary on Environmental Protection
Jānis Lielpēteris, Member of Board, Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Jan Serup Hylleberg, CEO, Wind Denmark
Moderator: Reinis Āboltiņš, Researcher, Riga Technical University
*NIMBY – Not In My Back Yard
13:30
SEA + WIND = HYDROGEN; FUTURE OUTLOOK FOR WIND ENERGY IN THE BALTIC SEA REGION
While competing with blue hydrogen, the green hydrogen technology is developing fast and opening new potential for green fuels and decarbonisation of the economy. There is a good potential for use of hydrogen ranging from serving the role of wind energy accumulation to replacing blue gas in space heating and transport. Denmark, which boasts significant wind capacity, is moving ahead with hydrogen from offshore wind energy being the early adopter of innovative technological solutions in the energy sector. Join this panel to find out more about the gains from green hydrogen technology and its perspective in Latvia.
Aivars Starikovs, CEO, Latvian Hydrogen Association, Member of the Board at Hydrogen Europe
Oben Uluc, Director of Sales for Europe, Middle East, Africa and India regions, Ballard
Jon André Løkke, CEO, NEL Hydrogen
Morten Brandtoft, Business Development Director, Green Hydrogen Systems
Moderator: Reinis Āboltiņš, Energy researcher, Riga Technical University
14:30
CLOSING REMARKS
Flemming Stender, Ambassador of Denmark to Latvia
Andris Vanags, Member of the Board, Latvian Wind Energy Association
SPEAKERS
EGILS LEVITS
President of the Republic of Latvia
KADRI SIMSON
DAN JØRGENSEN
Danish Ministry for Climate, Energy and Utilities, Minister
JĀNIS VITENBERGS
Minister of Economics of Latvia
ANDRIS VANAGS
Latvian Wind Energy Association, Member of the Board
FLEMMING STENDER
Ambassador of Denmark in Latvia
JURIS KABAKOVS
BiSMART, CEO
GILES DICKSON
WindEurope, CEO
EDIJS ŠAICĀNS
Ministry of Economics of Latvia, Undersecretary of State
MARIANNE BECK HASSL
Ørsted, Senior Regulatory Advisor
REINIS ĀBOLTIŅŠ
Riga Technical University, Researcher
GATIS JUNGHĀNS
Transmission system operator in Latvia “Augstsprieguma tīkls”, Member of the Board
JURIS ANTUŽS
Enefit Green, Managing Director
REINIS ĀZIS
Investment and Development Agency of Latvia, Deputy Director General
GATIS GALVIŅŠ
Eolus Latvia board member
MARCO FRANCINI
European Investment Bank, Head of EIB Group Office for the Baltic States
ANDRIS AKERMANIS
Latvian Association of Local and Regional Governments
ALDA OZOLA
Under Secretary of State, Environmental Protection and Regional Development
JĀNIS
LIELPĒTERIS
Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Member of the Board
JAN SERUP HYLLEBERG
Wind Denmark, CEO
OBEN ULUC
Ballard, Director of Sales for Europe, Middle East, Africa and India regions
AIVARS STARIKOVS
Latvian Hydrogen Association, CEO
JON ANDRÉ LØKKE
Nel Hydrogen, CEO
MORTEN BRANDTOFT
Green Hydrogen System, Business Development Director
SPONSORS
MICHAL LASKOWSKI
Vestas, Sales director for Poland, the Baltics and the Balkan region
PARTNERS
European Commission,
European Commissioner for Energy
ORGANISERS
Committed to Excellence
