LU konference
The conference will be opened by Kaspars Melnis, Minister of Climate and Energy; Assoc. Prof. Olga Bogdanova, President of the World Energy Council Member Committee Latvia (WEC Latvia); Professor Gundars Bērziņš, Rector of the University of Latvia and Dr. Michael W. Howard, chair emeritus of the WEC. A keynote speech will be delivered by Catherine Jereza, Assistant Secretary for the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Electricity.
“Energy affordability, sustainability, and competitiveness are prerequisites for national economic growth. However, our energy security remains the most critical issue. Following the decoupling from the BRELL grid, the Baltic States managed to maintain such a balanced electrical grid operation that consumers noticed neither the moment of disconnection from BRELL nor the subsequent synchronization with the European grid the following day. It is vital to continue regional cooperation to ensure that the Baltic States together build a power supply and generation system that is secure from external factors, thereby establishing a foundation for low electricity prices and attracting investment to the economy,” emphasizes Minister of Climate and Energy of Latvia Kaspars Melnis.
Discussions covering the geopolitical impact on energy security and industry policy evolution, as well as the supply-demand balance, financing, and community engagement, will bring together a diverse range of experts. Joining the dialogue are Minister of Energy and Environment of Estonia Andres Sutt and Minister of Energy of Lithuania Žygimantas Vaičiūnas, alongside CEOs of industry-leading corporations and senior representatives from the European Investment Bank (EIB), the European Court of Auditors (ECA), and the Council of European Energy Regulators (CEER).
The conference program will also feature a politically and strategically significant milestone: the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding by the Baltic ministers. This agreement seeks to drive mutual cooperation and transparency while aligning the region’s long-term strategic energy goals.
“Energy challenges now extend far beyond national borders, which is why this conference is such a crucial hub for developing a unified perspective in the Baltic Sea region. Through the combination of global experience and forward-looking strategy, we have the power to strengthen energy policy and ensure the region’s resilience,” states Olga Bogdanova, President of the WEC Latvia.
The conference is organized by the WEC Latvia, the Ministry of Climate and Energy of Latvia, and the University of Latvia, in cooperation with the World Energy Council’s global network and energy industry leaders from the Baltic Sea region. The conference will be held in English and live-streamed via the official event website.
The conference is supported by UAB “Latvenergo”, UAB “Augstsprieguma tīkls”, the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), the Nordic Council of Ministers’ Office in Latvia, the British Embassy Riga, and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation.
Media and content partners: DELFI, LETA, IR Magazine, The Baltic Times, ReTV, Dienas Bizness, Jauns.lv, Visegrad Insight, Przegląd Bałtycki, Estonian World, NewsRoom In, the University of Latvia, Riga Technical University, and Riga Technical College.
