Exarchou at Delphi Economic Forum XI: Energy security means national security

Speakers astatine a thematic sheet of the Delphi Economic Forum XI, held successful Delphi from April 22 to April 25, highlighted the value of vigor security, synergies and maintaining a balanced dependence connected divers vigor sources.

Joshua Volz, Special Envoy for Energy Integration astatine the United States Department of Energy, stressed that authorities policies, backstage assemblage initiatives and public-private partnerships (PPPs) are indispensable prerequisites for achieving vigor information and independence. “The United States has proven to beryllium a reliable vigor partner, arsenic it does not weaponise energy,” helium noted. “We judge there are galore opportunities for practice within the EU,” helium added,emphasizing the ne ed for some diversification of vigor sources andstronger synergies.

Referring to small modular reactors (SMRs), helium said they “will alteration the world, arsenic the nett did,” and hinted astatine caller technologies successful the assemblage to beryllium announced connected July 4.

Alexandros Exarchou, Chairman & CEO of Aktor Group and CEO of Atlantic SEE LNG Trade, underlined the value of the Vertical Corridor successful reducing dependence connected Russian gas, stressing the request for Europe to stay strong, energy-independent and balanced successful its reliance connected antithetic sources. He described this equilibrium arsenic being of “geopolitical importance,” arsenic it underpins stability and security. “The equilibrium betwixt US LNG supply and the Vertical Corridor is cardinal to vigor security, which is besides linked to nationalist security,” helium said.

He besides pointed to the situation that “the EU does not speak with 1 voice,” arguing that it would beryllium much competitory vis-à-vis Russia and China if, beyond a single currency, it besides had a unified economical and defence policy.

At the aforesaid time, helium expressed interest that LNG shortages could look arsenic aboriginal arsenic adjacent winter, perchance triggering inflationary pressures akin to those seen during the pandemic. As a solution, helium projected “long-term agreements” with the United States and different suppliers, while stressing that Greece should prehend the opportunity, fixed its geopolitical position, to go a cardinal LNG introduction gateway done its ports.