Background - Energy policy & CoE students
The College of Europe Energy Group is a 2012 created network of both students and alumni from the College of Europe with experience/interest in EU energy policy. Currently, about 30 students from the College of Europe - Voltaire Promotion 2013/14 participate.
All have a different cultural and academic backgrounds, but share a common interest in European energy issues. The students of the CoE Energy Group have academic or professional experience related to the energy sector, and are keen on deepening their knowledge and enhancing their networks in this field.
One of the many activities they organised this year was the study trip to Brussels on 21 November 2013.
Hereby an overview of that day:
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09:30-10:30
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Burson Marsteller: Mr Maximo MICCINILLI, Manager Energy & Environment and Ms Daphne CAFRITZ, Burson Marsteller, Client Executive.
Being a PA consultant in energy related issues
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11:00-12:30
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GPlus Europe: Mr Thomas BARROS-TASTETS, Partner and Ms Nina TROFIMOVA, Gplus Europe, Account Manager.
Advising a major international energy company on communication and PA After a short presentation of the company (founded in 2000, 60 employees in Brussels), Mr BARROS-TASTETS explained to us how G+Europe works with its clients, what priorities and fields the consultancy is active in, and what different services it can offer to its clients. Above all, the meeting was a unique opportunity to discuss the challenges of advising a major international energy company on communications and public affairs, as task Mr BARROS-TASTETS and his team are currently in charge of.
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12:45-14:15
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ENI : Mr Fabio MARCHETTI, Vice President, Head of European Public Affairs and Mr Vincenzo CONFORTI, European Government Affairs Advisor.
The point of view of a multinational European company involved in the energy supply chain
The meeting started with a presentation giving an insightful overview of the company’s activities worldwide. ENI is present in 90 different countries. The presentation touched upon issues related to global energy trends in the different regions/markets namely US, EU and Asia, and across the different sub-sectors of energy. According to ENI, Europe is facing the biggest challenge of its history in the context of the US shale gas revolution, which has led to companies moving back to coal and much higher energy prices compared to the US in Europe. A brief Q&A session followed as well as an informal discussion over lunch.
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14:30-15:30
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General Electric: Mr Hendrik Bourgeois, Vice-President EU Government Affairs & Policy and Mr Francois-Xavier DUSSART, Global Government Affairs & Policy Director - Power Generation Services.
The debate on the 2030 targets from the point of view of an American conglomerate in Brussels
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16:00-17:00
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Lithuanian Presidency of the Council: Ms Ona KOSTINAITE-GRINKEVICIENE, Energy Attaché, Mr Dolvile LIUTVINSKAITE, Secretary, Permanent Representation of Lithuania to the EU and Mr Leva KUODE, Deputy Energy Attaché for Nuclear Issues.
The internal and external challenges of EU energy policy from the point of view of the Lithuanian Presidency
After an introductory discussion on the general procedural and organizational arrangements linked to a presidency of the Council, we were given an insight in the amendment procedure of the nuclear safety directive introducing new EU-wide safety objectives. Then, we discussed the dependency on gas supply regarding both the European Union and Lithuania in particular, especially in light of the Nabucco Pipeline and Trans Adriatic Pipeline projects. Finally, we elaborated on the need to enforce the interconnectivity and the market in the European Union in order to ensure the security of supply of energy in all Member States.
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After a quick introduction of each participant, Mr MICCINILLI presented the activities of BM in the energy sector (e.g. building compelling narratives that provide added value for firms; managing critical relationship between the private and the public sectors in Brussels). Then, he developed the three main competences of a PA consultant in the energy sector: understand the energy business, understand the EU institutional legal framework and its uncertainties, as well as the impact and role of media. An interactive and fruitful discussion followed on how to build a career in this field, as well as on the current and upcoming challenges for the energy policy of the EU (historic transition, impact of EP elections, leadership in climate change).
The hosts started with a short presentation on the structure of the company’s government affairs activities and its lobbying strategies in Brussels, as well as the challenges faced by ‘being American’. Then, they presented the issue of the energy ‘trilemma’ (competitiveness, sustainability, security) in the context of the current debate on the 2030 targets. The biggest obstacle to the definition of common targets are the diverging national interests in the Council of the European Union. We also discussed the topic of the energy mix, GE advocating for gas as back up for renewable sources of energy and a stronger internal energy market which would help in lowering gas prices (shale gas being seen as an opportunity in this context).
Vimeo: http://vimeo.com/81377253 (Password: coleurope)
To be updated on our activities, join our facebook group: "CoE Energy or contact us by email: Hélène SIBILIEAU et Igal TARANIC.