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29 April 2021

10h00 – 15h00 EEST

HYBRID CONFERENCE

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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

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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

Programme

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

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EGILS LEVITS

President of the Republic of Latvia

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KADRI SIMSON

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DAN JØRGENSEN

Danish Ministry for Climate, Energy and Utilities, Minister

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JĀNIS VITENBERGS

Minister of Economics of Latvia

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ANDRIS VANAGS

Latvian Wind Energy Association, Member of the Board

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FLEMMING STENDER

Ambassador of Denmark in Latvia

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JURIS KABAKOVS

BiSMART, CEO

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GILES DICKSON

WindEurope, CEO

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EDIJS ŠAICĀNS

Ministry of Economics of Latvia, Undersecretary of State

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MARIANNE BECK HASSL

Ørsted, Senior Regulatory Advisor

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REINIS ĀBOLTIŅŠ

Riga Technical University, Researcher

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GATIS JUNGHĀNS

Transmission system operator in Latvia “Augstsprieguma tīkls”, Member of the Board

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JURIS ANTUŽS

Enefit Green, Managing Director

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REINIS ĀZIS

‎Investment and Development Agency of Latvia, Deputy Director General

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GATIS GALVIŅŠ

Eolus Latvia board member

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MARCO FRANCINI

European Investment Bank, Head of EIB Group Office for the Baltic States

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ANDRIS AKERMANIS

Latvian Association of Local and Regional Governments

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ALDA OZOLA

Under Secretary of State, Environmental Protection and Regional Development

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JĀNIS
LIELPĒTERIS

Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Member of the Board

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JAN SERUP HYLLEBERG

Wind Denmark, CEO

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OBEN ULUC

Ballard, Director of Sales for Europe, Middle East, Africa and India regions

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AIVARS STARIKOVS

Latvian Hydrogen Association, CEO

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JON ANDRÉ LØKKE

Nel Hydrogen, CEO

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MORTEN BRANDTOFT

Green Hydrogen System, Business Development Director

SPONSORS

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Speakers
Partners
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MICHAL LASKOWSKI

Vestas, Sales director for Poland, the Baltics and the Balkan region

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PARTNERS

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​European Commission,

European Commissioner for Energy

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ORGANISERS

Committed to Excellence

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GET IN TOUCH

Kaļķu iela 7, Rīga

23300113

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