EXCLUSIVE • DENMARK
2050 TO BE LATEST END
DATE FOR OIL AND GAS
PRODUCTION FROM THE
NORTH SEA
Caspian Energy (CE): Denmark has for of the Danish Energy Agency: It is correct …today almost
many years carried out a significant expan- that renewable energy the last decades has
sion of wind turbines and around 50% of replaced fossil fuels and today almost half half of the
the electricity consumption is covered by of the electricity in Denmark is generated electricity in
wind power. Why investing billions of dol- by wind energy. Our latest projections show
Denmark is
lars in building energy islands? Is it worth that before 2030, all electricity in Denmark
the costs? will be based on renewables, with about 70 generated by
Kristoffer Böttzauw, Director General % wind energy. wind energy.
36 CASPIAN ENERGY N2 (112)`2021 | www.caspianenergy.net
EXCLUSIVE • DENMARK
Denmark can
therefore offer
sharing knowledge
and experience
on a wide range of
topics within the
energy sector.
The industry
needs to see
potential long-
term revenues
with low political
risks in order
to commit for
the necessary
investments.
However, we need wind energy to ful CE: Denmark is a small country and your
fill our climate targets in the long run, contributions to the global GHG emissions
and to do so, Denmark has decided to are about 0.1%. Why have you adopted a
expand offshore wind energy in Den climate law to cut emissions 70% by 2030
mark even further. This will be done by, and become Carbon Neutral by 2050?
among other things, establishing two Kristoffer Böttzauw: With the 2015 Paris
energy islands. The energy islands will Agreement, the world is on a new trajectory
be serving as hubs for electricity genera towards sustainable development and a
tion from the surrounding wind farms by low-carbon economy. I think that delivering
collecting and distributing the electricity on the promise of Paris requires all countries
between countries connected by an elec to scale up renewable energy urgently and
tricity grid. The intention is to connect to use energy more efficiently. For more
the energy islands to neighboring coun than 40 years the Danish Energy Agency
tries, step-by-step, along with increased has worked for a green transformation of
energy demand. the energy system in Denmark, and the ex
The energy islands combined will initially perience gained can be used by other coun
have 5 GW of wind energy, potentially up to tries to achieve a green transition. The fact
12 GW and not only will the energy islands that the Danish share of global emissions of
generate electricity; eventually they will greenhouse gases only accounts for 0.1 per
produce e-fuels based on green electric cent means that our national efforts cannot
We pave the way ity. The e-fuel will serve to enable a green stand alone.
towards a green transition of hard-to-abate sectors such as Since 2012, the Danish Energy Agency
heavy transport, which is difficult to elec has gradually expanded our cooperation
transition… trify, and change the fuels our trucks, ships with other countries and today, we partner
and airplanes run on. with 16 countries that together cover more
www.caspianenergy.net | CASPIAN ENERGY N2 (112)`2021 37
EXCLUSIVE • DENMARK
…for the years to
come our most
important role
will be to find
solutions and to
implement new
policies
than 60% of the world’s GHG emissions. We published a climate outlook and based on
hope that, by doing so, even though we are existing measures and policy already in
a small country, we are able to support the troduced the projections show that emis
transition towards a greener, more sustai sions of GHG in Denmark are expected to
nable, global economy. be reduced by 55 percent in 2030 compared
with 1990. Thus, we still have to introduce
CE: What can the other countries learn further policy measures to achieve our 70
from Denmark regarding their transforma- percent target but we have seen several po
tion of the energy system? litical agreements during the last year and
Kristoffer Böttzauw: The experiences achieved significant progress bringing us
that Denmark has acquired through the closer to the target.
years now can serve as inspiration to coun
tries around the world, and that is why we CE: What role do you see for the Danish
bring Danish energy experts together with Energy Agency in the Danish government
our counterparts in our partner countries to energy policy system?
address the challenges of going from black Kristoffer Böttzauw: The Danish Energy
to green. Together, we focus on identifying Agency is responsible for tasks linked to
solutions that are realistic, cost-effective and energy production, supply and consumption,
reliable. The DEA supports its partner coun as well as Danish efforts to reduce carbon
tries in sectors where Denmark has unique emissions. We are also responsible for sup
knowledge and solutions such as onshore porting the economical optimisation of utili
and offshore wind, integration of renewable ties that in addition to energy includes water,
energy and power grid issues, district hea waste and telecommunication. However, for
ting, energy efficiency, levelised cost of ener the years to come our most important role
gy calculations and power system flexibility will be to find solutions and to implement
along with long-term modeling and scenario new policies which may keep Denmark on
analyses. track to realize our ambitious climate target
Denmark can therefore offer sharing to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases by
knowledge and experience on a wide range 70% in 2030 compared with 1990.
of topics within the energy sector. I think one
of our most important cross-sector lessons CE: Denmark has been an oil and gas pro-
learnt is that, for the green transition to take ducer for many years. What is the prospect
place, a stable political commitment with for your activities in the North Sea?
long-term targets and transparent regula Kristoffer Böttzauw: Yes, Denmark has
tion framework is a crucial key element. The been one of the largest oil and gas producers
industry needs to see potential long-term in the EU for decades and a net exporter of
revenues with low political risks in order to oil until 2017, but a couple of years ago we
commit for the necessary investments. That decided to ban all exploration and produc
is why in Denmark we implement long-term tion of oil and gas onshore and in inland
targets: 70% reduction of CO2 emissions by waters. Furthermore, due to our climate tar
2030, independence from fossil fuel in 2050. get and obligations the Danish Government
We pave the way towards a green transition - supported by a broad majority of political
by creating confidence in the commitment of parties – last year cancelled all future licen
the Danish government to the green agenda. sing rounds and announced that 2050 will
be the latest end date for Danish oil and gas
CE: How far are you from achieving your production from the North Sea.
objective to cut emissions?
Kristoffer Böttzauw: We have recently Thank you for the interview
38 CASPIAN ENERGY N2 (112)`2021 | www.caspianenergy.net
EXCLUSIVE • AUSTRIA
FOSSIL GAS WILL HAVE
NO PLACE IN A FUTURE
ENERGY SYSTEM,
LEONORE GEWESSLER
Caspian Energy (CE): Madam Minis- ergy, Mobility, Innovation and Tech- Climate action is
ter, is Austria interested in increasing nology of Austria: Burning fossil fuel is what we need - to
the capacity of the existing gas pipeline the main driver for the on-going climate
system, and in acquiring gas from new crisis. Austria aims to be climate neutral
ensure our children
sources such as the Southern Gas Corri- by 2040. Therefore, our political task is will still be able to
dor? to phase-out fossil gas with its CO2 and live a good life on
Leonore Gewessler, Federal Minister methane emissions. Fossil gas will have no
for Climate Action, Environment, En- place in a future energy system based on this planet.
22 CASPIAN ENERGY N2 (112)`2021 | www.caspianenergy.net
EXCLUSIVE • AUSTRIA
Austria aims
to be climate
neutral by 2040.
renewables. Hence we have agreed in the country’s right to choose their own ener
Oil and gas Austrian government program to put into gy mix, but I am deeply convinced that
law a stop on extending the gas transmis going renewable now is the only winning
companies sion grid in Austria. strategy in our fight against runaway cli
throughout the mate change.
CE: Is there a need for new gas hubs in
world need to the EU due to the supply of LNG to new CE: Madam Minister, what is Austria’s
start developing European terminals and the growth of
pipeline supplies?
position on climate change? How ad-
equate, in your opinion, are the actions
business models Leonore Gewessler: We are on a path of the international community in rela-
way to decarbonize our energy system. tion to this problem today?
no longer based Oil and gas companies throughout the Leonore Gewessler: Climate change
on fossil fuels, as world need to start developing business is the biggest challenge of our times.
models no longer based on fossil fuels, 2020, once again, was the warmest year
otherwise they as otherwise they risk losing their busi on record in Europe. We, therefore, need
risk losing their ness in three decades at the latest. More to urgently act and deliver on the com
and more governments, customers and mitments made in the Paris agreement
business. investors call on the industry to step up and in the European climate law enshrin
efforts to fight climate change and avoid ing at least minus 55% emissions reduc
investments today, which will be stran tion in 2030 into the European legal base.
ded assets tomorrow. I fully respect every We are therefore looking forward to an
www.caspianenergy.net | CASPIAN ENERGY N2 (112)`2021 23
EXCLUSIVE • AUSTRIA
Climate change
is the biggest
challenge of our
times. 2020,
once again, was
the warmest
year on record
in Europe.
ambitious „Fit for 55“ package by the lectric power stations to generate envi-
European Commission. At home, Austria ronmentally friendly released multi-ton
aims to be climate neutral by 2040 and hydroelectric power?
we are currently working on our own cli Leonore Gewessler: Around 28 percent
mate law. Our new renewable energy act of the energy generated in Austria came
builds the foundation for 100% renewa from hydropower in 2019. This correspon
bles in the electricity system by 2030. ded to a total of around 145,639 terajoules.
Austria has decided to phase out fossil oil In terms of electricity generation, hydro
heating systems by 2035 and fossil gas in power plants were responsible for around
the heating system for buildings by 2040. 60 percent of domestic generation in 2019. We are therefore
At the same time, we invest heavily, also What is important to me is that also hyd
within the RRF framework in making this ropower is produced sustainably and the looking forward
transition a just one. We are expanding quality of rivers is protected. It is possible to an ambitious
our train system, including night trains, to combine high environmental standards
and accelerate the shift to e-mobility in in hydropower and produce electricity - but “Fit for 55”
cars. Personally, I am very much encou you need to set clear standards to do it to package by
raged by the recent initiatives by U.S. not run into the trap of pitching the biodi
president Joe Biden, who not only joined versity against the climate crisis. the European
the Paris Agreement again, but delivered
a credible message for more and serious CE: As is known, there is a project to
Commission.
climate protection measures. Climate ac export solar energy from the solar zone
tion is what we need - to ensure our chil of the Sahel region countries to the EU.
dren will still be able to live a good life on Is it possible to do the same thing by re-
this planet. directing the flows of crystal clear Arctic
water through water supply systems to
CE: Do you think the melting of glaciers this arid region of savannas and semi-
in the Arctic is caused by human activity? deserts? Does EU consider these two pro-
Leonore Gewessler: The scientific evi jects today?
dence is clear and the cause for this man- Leonore Gewessler: We do not think
made climate crisis is the massive use of that gigantic projects like these are the
fossil fuels. Recent studies show that the best way forward. We believe that small
world’s - and Austria’s - glaciers are mel scale decentralized renewable systems
ting at an accelerating rate and they have are the most resilient and economically
lost almost 270 billion tons of ice a year durable solutions. For example, we want
over the opening two decades of the 21st 1 million roofs covered with solar panels.
Century. The consequences are huge and We have today the technology to cover all
the damages and costs of our climate our energy needs by renewables sources,
changing are enormous. We need to do while creating jobs and economic value
everything we can to avoid irreversible locally. The power of the sun, the earth, …you need
tipping points in our climate system. rivers and wind are sufficient. In addition, to set clear
in a smart energy system they are com
CE: How does the climate warming and bined to provide secure and sustainable standards to do
melting of glaciers affect the economy
and energy sector today? Is it possible
energy to all.
it to not run into
to use the latest mill-type mini-hydroe- Thank you for the interview the trap…
24 CASPIAN ENERGY N2 (112)`2021 | www.caspianenergy.net
EXCLUSIVE • SERBIA
MEDIUM AND LARGE HPPS WILL
PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN
SERBIA’S ENERGY BALANCE,
ZORANA MIHAJLOVIC
Caspian Energy (CE): Madam Mi- is well connected to all eight neighbo … additional
hajlovic, how deep is Serbia’s energy ring countries by 400 kV transmission interconnections
network integrated into the Balkan lines. With the construction of the Trans-
energy network? Balkan Corridor, with a total length of
with Montenegro
Zorana Mihajlovic, Deputy Prime 321 km, in the construction of which we and Bosnia and
Minister of the Republic of Serbia and are investing EUR 157 million, we will Herzegovina are
the Minister of Mining and Energy: achieve greater security of supply for do
Serbia’s electricity transmission system mestic consumers, we will get a kind of being prepared.
28 CASPIAN ENERGY N2 (112)`2021 | www.caspianenergy.net
EXCLUSIVE • SERBIA
an “energy highway”
that will go through
Serbia and increase
supply security in all
connected countries.
…the gas A new additional
transmission line to
pipeline should Romania has already
been built within the
be operational Trans-Balkan Corri
in 2023 dor, and additional
interconnections
connecting us with Montenegro
with the gas and Bosnia and Her
zegovina are being
pipelines on prepared. All this will important for the energy security of Ser
the Southern enable better regional connection, de bia and the region.
velopment of the electricity market in
Gas Corridor the region, and will increase the possi CE: Do you plan to receive gas from
and with LNG bilities and reduce the costs of integra the Krk terminal?
ting renewable energy into electricity
terminals in systems. In the future, it is planned to
Zorana Mihajlovic: Unfortunately,
there are currently no physical or com
Greece, but further strengthen the transmission ca
pacities with new interconnections to
mercial assumptions for obtaining gas
also with a Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary and Croatia,
from this direction. The terminal on Krk
has a maximum annual capacity of 2.6
project that is in line with the development of the mar
ket in the region and the increase in the
billion cubic meters, and they plan to de
liver gas to the Croatian national trans
very important share of solar and wind energy.
mission network, connected with Hun
So, our vision is Serbia connected with
for the energy its neighbors, which will be an important
gary, Slovenia and Italy. There is currently
no direct physical network with Serbia,
security of the energy corridor for both electricity and
rather an indirect one through Hungary,
gas.
entire region. In the gas sector, the goal is to connect
but it is not reliable either due to the con
gestion of certain directions. Commercial
with all neighboring countries via gas in
operations began on January 1, 2021.
terconnections. This will mean that every
LNG Croatia reported that the capacities
gas from every source reaching Serbia
will at the same time raise the energy se of the terminal were sold out by October
curity of the entire region. 2023 and that by October 2027, the ca
Works on the construction of the gas pacity of 2.1 billion cubic meters of gas
interconnection Serbia-Bulgaria will per year has already been closed.
commence this year (Nis-Dimitrovgrad
gas pipeline) and should be operational CE: Is it possible to fully switch to solar
in 2023 connecting us with the gas pipe energy?
lines on the Southern Gas Corridor and Zorana Mihajlovic: As in any country
with LNG terminals in Greece, but also with a high share of coal in electricity
with a project that is very important for production such as Serbia - about 67%,
the energy security of the entire region, its replacement will require several de
and that is the Eastern Mediterranean cades. In the process of energy transition,
gas pipeline. The realization of this pro key goals must be met: ensuring energy
ject would enable gas from gas fields security and secure energy supply and a
LNG Croatia in the eastern Mediterranean to reach complete coverage of Serbia’s electricity
needs coming from its own production.
reported that Serbia and the region via Cyprus, Crete,
Greece and Bulgaria and the future Nis- In the past six months, the Ministry of
the capacities Dimitrovgrad gas pipeline. Also, a new Mining and Energy has intensively em
barked on two major interventions that
of the terminal interconnection with Republika Srpska,
i.e. Bosnia and Herzegovina, will be built, are fundamentally changing the ener
were sold out by which will connect that part of the re gy system in Serbia. The first one is the
gion to the Balkan Stream gas pipeline, amendment of the legal framework, and
October 2023. and in the future we intend to have gas the second is the preparation of the most
interconnections with Montenegro, Ro important strategic and planning docu
mania and Croatia. In the future, after the ments related to the energy sector.
completion of the Eastern Mediterranean Laws on energy efficiency and the use
project, it will be possible to acquire gas of renewable energy sources have been
from the coastal reserves of the Levia adopted and the Law on Energy has been
than field, i.e. Cyprus and Israel, which is amended, which, together with the pre
www.caspianenergy.net | CASPIAN ENERGY N2 (112)`2021 29
EXCLUSIVE • SERBIA
Higher
viously adopted Law on Climate Change, The new investment plan that the Min utilization of
provided a new legal framework more
favorable for both citizens and investors,
istry is preparing and which is directly
related to the energy transition of Serbia,
RES, and above
harmonized with relevant EU regulations includes projects in all areas under the all solar energy,
and the Paris Climate Agreement.
The integrated national energy and cli
ministry worth close to EUR 16 billion.
Among other things, in the field of elec
is one of the
mate plan, whose development began tricity, the planned investments amount important
with the new Energy Development Stra to approximately EUR 6.6 billion, and the
tegy, will determine the goals, structure value of projects in RES is approximately
factors of energy
and dynamics of change for the next three EUR 4.4 billion, primarily in solar power security in the
decades, until 2050. Combating climate plants and wind power plants. We will
change and environmental protection are soon have all projects in one place in the
future, but of
key pillars in these changes. It is indispu project book where all interested investors course, not the
table that they, as in the whole world, will will be able to see what our priorities are,
lead to a gradual reduction in the use of what we plan as public investments, and
only one.
coal and its replacement by low-carbon, where we expect active participation from
green technologies and energy sources. the private sector.
Higher utilization of RES, and above all
solar energy, is one of the important fac CE: How are water resources used in
tors of energy security in the future, but of the country? How attractive are they for
course, not the only one. The share of elec investments?
tricity produced from coal in the energy Zorana Mihajlovic: Although very im
mix will gradually decrease in the coming portant in the energy mix, because cur
decades, which will be replaced by energy rently approximately 30 percent of elec
produced from new capacities, primarily tricity comes from hydroelectric power
medium and large hydropower plants, so plants, the hydro potential of Serbia has
lar power plants, wind power plants, bio not been fully used. It is the new me
mass, as well as gas power plants. dium and large hydropower plants that
Also, additional energy storage ca will play an important role in meeting
pacities will be needed, primarily in re the energy needs of Serbia in the com
versible hydropower plants, and later in ing decades, bearing in mind the gradual
batteries. As a special part of the new reduction of electricity production from
energy strategy, the hydrogen strategy coal.
will be represented in order to gradually The plan is to build new and revitalize
create conditions for the use of hydrogen existing hydropower plants with a total
energy in accordance with its commer capacity of 3.5 GW, which includes the … the hydro
cial availability. construction of a reversible hydropower
plant (RHE) Djerdap, on potential of
the river Danube, and
RHE Bistrica, as well as
Serbia has not
new HPPs of medium been fully used.
capacity on the rivers
Drina, Ibar and Morava.
Also, the production
of electricity from exist
ing HPPs will increase,
through reconstruc
tion and rehabilitation,
which, according to the
analysis of the World
Bank, is the most prof
itable way to reduce
emissions.
30 CASPIAN ENERGY N2 (112)`2021 | www.caspianenergy.net
EXCLUSIVE • SERBIA
CE: Which sectors
of the economy are
the most liquid for
investment, causing
an increase in energy
demand?
Zorana Mihajlovic:
Serbia is an economi
cally stable country,
which, after a tempo
rary slowdown in 2020
as a result of the CO
…the energy VID-19 pandemic, ex
CE: How does climate change affect
transition in pects economic growth of six percent this
year. In previous years we have done a lot the economy of Serbia and the region as
Serbia will to improve our business environment, as a whole?
evidenced by the Doing Business list of the Zorana Mihajlovic: Climate change is af
inevitably lead World Bank, where Serbia has advanced fecting all world economies, not only Serbia
to a gradual from 186th to 9th place in just a few years. and the region of Southeast Europe. Speaking
The energy and mining sectors should of Serbia, this year represents a turning point
transition to be among the drivers of economic growth in the fight against climate change. In addi
electricity… in the coming years, and contribute more tion to the law in the field of energy, the Law
significantly to GDP. The creation of a more on Climate Change was adopted this year,
favorable environment for investments was and a national integrated plan for climate and
one of the main reasons for the adoption of energy until 2030, new strategies for energy
new laws, which, among other things, shor development until 2050, as well as a strategy
tened the procedures for issuing solutions for low-carbon development will be drafted.
and permits, both in energy and mining. In this way, the foundation will be laid for
Investments in new energy capacities the major changes that will take place in our
are also a condition for new investments energy sector in the next 20 and 30 years, with
in all other industries. All projections the goal of making our development climate-
say that electricity consumption will neutral. One of the main goals we have set in
certainly grow in the coming decades, that sense is to increase the share of RES in to
and, given the process of energy transi tal energy production to 40 percent by 2040,
tion, our goal is to ensure, through new and to at least 50 percent by 2050.
investments, that Serbia is energy safe The ability of Serbia, as well as some other
and has enough energy for accelerated countries in the region with a similar structure
economic growth and development. In of the energy sector, to follow the EU energy
addition, the energy transition in Serbia and climate goals and the Green Agreement,
will inevitably lead to a gradual transi will depend on the availability of EU financial
tion to electricity, for example, in trans support, proportional to the support received
port, to cover heat needs and other sec by the EU members with high coal share and
tors, i.e. the share of electricity in total similar level of economic development.
energy, and thus further increase its con
sumption. Thank you for the interview
… this year
represents a
turning point in
the fight against
climate change.
www.caspianenergy.net | CASPIAN ENERGY N2 (112)`2021 31
Saatja: Caspian Energy Meida <
[email protected]>
Saadetud: 17.05.2023 15:25
Adressaat: <"press mkm">
Koopia: <"MKM info">
Teema: interview request letter from Caspian Energy International Media Group
Manused: September issue.jpg; Slovenia President_North Macedonia PM.jpg; Austrian
Federal Minister of Climate.pdf; Danish Energy Agency Director.pdf
Dear staff of the Media department,
Hope this email finds you well.
I am writing to you from the Caspian Energy International Media Group, requesting your
assistance and support in arranging a written exclusive interview of Mr. Tiit Riisalo,
Minister of Economic Affairs and Information Technology of Estonia.
Upon numerous requests received from our readership and online subscribers in 30 countries
across the world, and close political and economic ties between the Baltic and Caspian
regions, we request the honor of Mr. Tiit Riisalo's participation in the forthcoming issue of the
Caspian Energy journal scheduled for the end of August. Under "participation" we imply His
written exclusive interview which will be of great interest to our audience across 30 countries.
Caspian Energy is an international information analytical journal regularly releasing issues
with exclusive interviews of Presidents, PMs and high-ranking officials representing different
segments of the economy.
Alone, published in our recent issues were exclusive interviews of the Slovenian President
Borut Pahor, North Macedonian PM Dimitar Kovachevski, President of Latvia Egils
Levits, European Commission Vice President Frans Timmermans, EU Energy
Commissioner Kadri Simson, Polish PM Mateusz Morawiecki, and many other
officials representing energy sectors of different states(files attached).
We are ready to send you the interview questions right away if you find it possible to arrange
written answers to them on Mr. Riisalo's behalf.
Thank you in advance for your time and consideration.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Emil Mammadov
Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Caspian Energy International Media Group
Mob: +994 55 468 23 88; tel: +994 12 447 21 86/87 ext 108