Day 2

This plenary session will examine the interconnected challenges of energy security, affordability, and decarbonisation. Representatives from diverse global regions will share strategic insights on balancing national/regional priorities with international commitments in a world of geopolitical uncertainties and fostering alignment on energy transition needs. The discussion will focus on the practical implications for energy actors in a world of more volatile markets, supply chain pressures, and divergent regional pathways.
Key themes shall include the role of regulation in attracting cross-border investment and enabling international cooperation and lessons from divergent regional approaches (e.g., EU, Asia, Americas) to common global challenges.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as a universal call to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity.
The panel builds on Goal 7 and its targets, towards access to affordable and clean energy. The goal is to achieve universal access to electricity from sustainable and reliable sources by 2030, while energy is affordable. This same objective is also included: access to clean cooking.
If this objective is met, the just energy transition would be achieved, which implies that the change in the energy model is made towards more sustainable energies, maximizing social and economic benefits, and ensuring that no one is left behind. This approach integrates economic development and the decarbonization of the economy with the creation of decent jobs, technological innovation, the inclusion of communities (indigenous or other social demographic discrimination), gender equality, and attention to the most vulnerable groups with energy poverty, so that the transition benefits society as a whole.
Energy regulator has two fundamental missions: (a) to establish or propose regulations for the development of legal provisions aiming to achieve the energy and environmental policy objectives settled by governments (universal and affordable access to clean energy, guaranteeing its supply, competitiveness and environmental sustainability) in an efficient manner (i.e., at the lowest possible cost), and (b) to supervise the functioning of energy markets, as well as the performance of regulated or grid activities, to ensure that the rules are complied with.
Universal access to electricity allows consumers to have more hours of daylight, refrigeration and cooking of food, access to communications and culture – cellular, internet, TV, and HR. SS.-, and the incipient development of industry. On the other hand, clean cooking using induction cookers, natural gas or briquettes, avoids the use of vegetable residues and firewood, which create unhealthy atmospheres in homes. Likewise, the affordability of energy is linked to the establishment of efficient and cost-reflective tariffs, but in the case of vulnerable groups in risk of energy poverty, their purchasing power must be considered. These actions promote gender equity and avoid social demographic discrimination (indigenous peoples or depopulated areas).
The guarantee of energy supply is based on comprehensive energy planning, with the balanced development of networks and fuel/gas input terminals, as well as the provision of economic signals for the implementation of generation facilities for electricity production plants, gas storage, etc.
Energy competitiveness is embodied in the development of competitive national or regional energy markets (in which efficient resource allocations occur).
Environmental sustainability of energy aims to minimize its environmental impact and internalize the environmental costs (externalities) into final energy prices. For this reason, the integration of renewable energies into electricity systems is promoted, along with the development of renewable gases and biofuels, as well as the implementation of energy efficiency measures.
Finally, in order to carry out a just energy transition, it is important for energy regulators to collaborate and be involved in establishing rules that encourage the penetration of sustainable, renewable and efficient energy systems, which are accessible for all consumers and whose energy products are affordable for them, especially for the most vulnerable ones (even, in its case, incorporating tariffs with cross-subsidies for try to avoid energy poverty). On the other hand, the phasing out of fossil fuel use (coal, gas, and oil) may leave certain regions economically depressed, such as mining regions or those in which classic thermoelectric power plants are located, which would justify the provision of direct social measures in these territories, unless CO2 capture, use and storage systems are deployed.

This concurrent session will delve into the evolving and critical role of the independent regulator as the major actor of a credible energy transition. Moving beyond traditional oversight, regulators are now active decision-makers in grid modernization, market design for renewables and flexibility, and ensuring a just transition. The session will explore how regulators can maintain legitimacy and independence while making proactive, long-term decisions that shape infrastructure, incentivize innovation, and protect consumers. This session will also address the mounting pressures NRAs face when their independence is tested by political or economic stress.
Key themes shall include the importance of upholding regulatory independence and technical credibility in a highly politicized environment and also how to help NRAs to self-assess their independence with the help of a Toolbox.

This concurrent session will share successful consumer protection practices implemented by regulatory authorities across countries and regions. Electricity prices have become increasingly volatile due to factors such as the surge in electricity costs following the 2021 global gas price spike and the accelerated adoption of renewable energy. Additionally, retailers now offer diverse electricity pricing plans, including market-linked options. Against this backdrop of heightened geopolitical risks and renewable energy expansion, panelists will share various consumer protection challenges and best practices for addressing them, aiming to provide regulators with insights into replicable strategies.

Regional energy integration is a key pathway for enhancing energy security, expanding access, and accelerating the transition to cleaner energy sources. By linking national grids, connecting markets, and enabling the cross-border flow of electricity, gas and other energy sources, regional integration allows countries to achieve more affordable energy, reducing supply and price risks.
As renewable energy penetration increases, regional coordination becomes even more critical, offering opportunities to smooth variability, share reserves, and reduce the cost of decarbonization.
At the center of this transformation are regulatory authorities, whose cooperation determines whether regional energy systems function smoothly. Regulators shape market rules, technical standards, pricing structures, and investment frameworks—all of which must be aligned, or at least be interoperable, for power systems to operate seamlessly across borders. Effective collaboration among regulatory bodies can create a stable, predictable environment that encourages private investment, promotes innovation, and supports long-term planning for shared infrastructure.
European Union member countries already benefit from common policies, standards and regulatory rules, as well as well-stablished platforms for coordination between regulatory bodies.
Yet, other regions that can clearly benefit from regional integration still struggle with differences in national regulations, institutional capacity, political interests, and levels of market development.
In this panel, we will discuss and try to understand these barriers, how to overcome and identify good practices focusing on the example of the SADC (Southern African Development Community).

This Panel is dedicated to the topic of ensuring network reliability in a world of increasing climate change (major storms, cyclones and tornadoes, wild forest fires, ice storms, etc.).
Ensuring network reliability amidst the escalating challenges of climate change requires a multi-faceted approach focusing on resilient infrastructure, improved system planning, and advanced technology. Utilities and system operators are adapting by employing innovative strategies to maintain service during and after extreme weather events, which are becoming more frequent and severe, challenging traditional planning assumptions. Key strategies and areas of focus include hardening infrastructure, advanced system planning and operations, and improved communications and data utilization. These adaptations represent a proactive shift to address the direct impacts of climate change on critical infrastructure, ensuring more reliable and continuous service in an increasingly unpredictable environment.

This panel is dedicated to the topic of the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on energy systems and energy regulation.
AI is becoming an essential tool in energy transition. It’s use in accelerating innovation and improving reliability and energy efficiency is at the forefront of research and debate in the world of energy regulation. The following key challenges are well suited for the use of AI in the search for solutions:

Grid Modernisation: With aging infrastructures, AI powered predictive tools can help anticipate and mitigate disruptions caused by severe weather and cyber attacks and thus, improving resiliency and consistency of networks. AI can also be used in load forecasting to improve supply consistency.

Accelerating Energy Innovation: With the arrival of more solar, wind and new generation batteries, AI is helping accelerate the research in advanced innovative materials and designs that can optimize manufacturing processes, thus reducing time to bring new technologies to market.

Improving Energy Efficiency: AI driven solutions are enabling enhanced energy efficiency in buildings, transportation and industrial processes.