Opening the discussion on a realistic and secure energy transition
Professor Dr. Kostas Andriosopoulos, Director of the Center of Excellence, opened the Forum by highlighting the need for a secure and pragmatic pathway toward energy transition. Dr. Edward C. Wingenbach, President of The American College of Greece, emphasized the importance of the Alba–HELLENiQ ENERGY partnership in creating a vibrant hub that bridges education and industry. Giannis Saracakis, President of the American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce and Alba Board Member, noted that progress requires continuous skills development and fair distribution of benefits.
Greece’s strategic role in the regional energy landscape
During the keynote discussion, speakers underscored Greece’s position as a Southeastern European energy gateway, supported by modern infrastructure, strong geopolitical relevance, and a stable regulatory environment. Contributions from Minister of Environment and Energy Stavros Papastavrou and U.S. Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle highlighted the importance of energy security and transatlantic cooperation.
HELLENiQ ENERGY CEO Andreas Siamisis reinforced the priority of ensuring a reliable energy system for the coming decades until emerging technologies fully mature, with sustainability guiding investment and policy decisions.
Financing, regulatory frameworks, and investment acceleration
Deputy Minister of National Economy and Finance Nikos Papathanasis stressed the importance of blended financing, regulatory stability, and predictable RES pricing to accelerate investments in offshore wind, storage, and hydrogen.
Alexandra Sdoukou, Spokesperson for New Democracy, highlighted Greece’s strengthening position as a regional energy hub through international collaborations and rising investor confidence—while noting the need to balance climate ambition with competitiveness.
Session Spotlight: Education, Reskilling & Leadership in the Energy Transition
A core contribution of the Forum — and one closely aligned with Alba’s academic mission — was Session 5, dedicated to education, upskilling, and leadership development in the energy sector. The panel featured: Prof. Konstantinos Aravossis – National Technical University of Athens, Prof. Georgios Vokas – University of West Attica, Prof. Pavlos Vlachos – Alba Graduate Business School, Dr. Robert Johnston – University of Calgary. Moderator: Prof. Kostas Axarloglou – Alba & HELLENiQ ENERGY Center
The discussion conclusion was clear: the success of Europe’s climate transition will depend not only on technology, but on people — and on how quickly we can educate, upskill, and empower them.
A new annual platform shaping knowledge and policy
With the successful launch of this first Forum, the HELLENiQ ENERGY Center for Sustainability and Energy @ Alba Graduate Business School aims to establish an annual institution fostering informed dialogue on critical energy, skills, and technology developments—demonstrating how research-driven insight can shape effective policy-making and investment decisions.
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