Powering the Future: 
Liberal Energy Forum


On 8-9 February, join liberal leaders and key industry stakeholders to discuss climate change and potential of renewable energies to accelerate the sustainable transition.

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Programme


🗓️ Thursday 8 February🗓️ Friday 9 February

🗓️ Thursday 8 February


15:30 - 17:30

Moneypoint Power Station visit


Site visit to Ireland's largest electricity generation station (by invitation only)


18:30 - 20:00

Welcome Reception

Supported by the European Liberal Forum

Venue: Glor Theatre Ennis

18:30 Reception


Remarks:

ALDE Party Co-President Timmy Dooley

European Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson



🗓️ Friday 9 February

8:00 - 9:00

Arrivals & Registration

Venue: Glór Theater, Ennis

9:00 – 9:30

Conversation with European Commissioner Kadri Simson 

The role of renewable energy in achieving the European Union's climate objectives, what the EU has done and future challenges. 


Moderated by Timmy Dooley, ALDE Party Co-President

9:30 - 9:50

Stakeholder Presentations 

Green Atlantic Project

  • Sean Hegarty, Net Zero Transition Manager, ESB

Shannon Estuary Economic Taskforce

  • Barry O'Sullivan, Chair, Shannon Estuary Economic Taskforce
  • Pat Keating, CEO, Shannon Foynes Port Company 

9:50 – 10:30

Panel Discussion: Decarbonising Heavy Industry and Agriculture

Challenges and opportunities for heavy industries and agriculture in achieving carbon neutrality, covering case studies and best practices.


  • Charlie McConalogue, Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine, Ireland
  • Ciarán Conlon, Director of Public Policy for Ireland/Western Europe, Microsoft
  • Niamh Gallagher, Director, Infrastructure Public Policy (EMEA), Amazon Web Services
  • Matthías Ólafsson, Head of Europe, Methanol Institute

Moderated by Phil Benion​, Chair ALDE Party Policy Advisory Group on climate & sustainability

10:30 – 11:00

Panel Discussion: Deep-dive into Decarbonising Transport 

Navigate the complex path towards a more sustainable transport sector, covering cutting-edge technologies, policy frameworks and the potential of alternative fuels.


  • Jack Chambers, Minister of State, Department of Transport & Department of Environment, Climate and Communications, Ireland
  • Mary Considine, CEO, Shannon Airport
  • Liana Gouta, Director General, FuelsEurope

Moderated by Niall Collins, Minister of State for Skills and Further Education of Ireland

11:00 – 11:15

Coffee Break

11:15 – 11:55

Panel Discussion: Diversifying Energy Sources - Beyond Fossil Fuels

Explore the evolving landscape of renewable energy, nuclear power and hydrogen, and key players in this field.

 

  • Kadri Simson, European Commissioner for Energy, European Commission
  • Romina Pourmokhtari, Minister of Climate and Environment, Sweden
  • Alex Grant, SVP and Country Manager, Equinor
  • Gillian Kinsella, Senior Policy Manager, Bord Gáis Energy
  • TJ Hunter, Senior Director Operations & Development, Ørsted


Moderated by Billy Kelleher ​MEP, European Parliament

11:55 – 12:25

Panel Discussion: Financing the Energy Transition - Investments, Infrastructure and Storage 


Co-organised by the European Liberal Forum


On the crucial aspects of financing the transition towards sustainable and renewable energy sources, focusing on strategic investments, public-private partnerships and innovative energy storage solutions.


  • Juris Pūce, Former Minister of Environment, Latvia
  • Val Cummins, Director of Operations, Simply Blue
  • Conor O'Dowd, CEO, Galway Port
  • Cormac Gebruers, Group External affairs Manager, DP Energy

 

Moderated by Aidan Eames, Consultant Clark Hill Solicitors LLP

12:25 – 12:30

Closing remarks by ALDE Party Co-President Timmy Dooley

12:30

Departures

Speakers


Kadri Simson

European Commissioner for Energy

European Commission

Timmy Dooley

Senator & Co-President

ALDE Party

Charlie McConalogue

Minister  for Agriculture, Food and Marine

Ireland

Romina Pourmokhtari

Minister for Climate and Environment


Sweden



Niall Collins

Minister of State for Skills and Further Education of Ireland


Ireland



Jack Chambers

Minister of State Environment, Climate and Communications 

Ireland

Juris Pūce

Former Minister Environmental Protection and Regional Development

 Latvia

Billy Kelleher MEP

Fianna Fáil (Ireland)

European Parliament

Phil Benion

Chair & Former MEP (UK)

ALDE Policy Advisory Group on Climate and Sustainability

Ciarán Conlon

Director of Public Policy for Microsoft Ireland/Western Europe

 Microsoft

Niamh Gallagher

Director, Infrastructure Public Policy (EMEA)

 Amazon Web Services

Liana Gouta

Director General

 FuelsEurope

Matthías Ólafsson

Head of Europe

 Methanol Institute

Alex Grant

SVP and Country Manager UK

Equinor

Conor O’Dowd

Chief Executive Officer

 Galway Port

Pat Keating

Chief Executive Officer

Shannon Foynes Port Company

Val Cummins

Operations & Projects Director

SimplyBlue

TJ Hunter

Senior Director Operations & Development 

 Ørsted

Barry O'Sullivan

Chair

Shannon Estuary Economic Taskforce

Gillian Kinsella

Senior Policy Manager

Bord Gáis Energy

Sean Hegarty

Net Zero Transition Manager

ESB

Cormac Gebruers

Group External Affairs Manager

DP Energy

Practical Information

🏢 Venue🛬 Travel from Shannon Airport🛬 Travel from Dublin Airport🛬 Travel from Cork Airport🅿️ Parking🏨 Suggested Hotels

🏢 Venue

The Conference will take place on 8-9 February in Ennis, Ireland, and will be hosted at the Glor Theatre Ennis (Adress: Causeway Link, Clonroad Beg, Ennis, Co. Clare, V95 VHP0, Ireland).

🛬 Travel from Shannon Airport

The Glor Theatre is situated near the centre of Ennis, just 20 minutes drive away from Shannon airport, or 30 to 40 minutes by bus (343 and 51) going twice per hour, operating from 6:15 till 00:05 dropping you off at Ennis Bus station, a 10 minute walk from Glor Theatre. There are flights to Shannon from a wide range of airports from the UK, Continental Europe and the US.

🛬 Travel from Dublin Airport

By train: https://www.irishrail.ie/en-ie/

From the airport to Dublin Heuston station: take the Dublin express 782 bus or taxi from Dublin airport to Dublin Heuston station.

From Dublin Heuston to Ennis station: Train connection via Limerick Junction taking 3:10 hours, operating from 10:00 till 18:00, going every hour.

The Train station of Ennis is located10 minutes walk from the Glor Theatre.


By bus:


From the airport to Dublin City South bus terminal: Take a taxi or the Dublin Express 784 or 782 to Dublin City South bus terminal

From Dublin City South bus terminal take bus 300, taking 3:30 hours, operation from 6:45 till 23:45, going every hour, arriving at Friars Walk bus station, a 3 minute walk from the Glor Theatre.


🛬 Travel from Cork Airport

By train: https://www.irishrail.ie/en-ie/

From the airport to Cork (Kent) train station: Take a taxi or bus 225 or 226 going to Cork (Kent) train station.

From Cork (Kent) train station to Ennis train station: Train connection via Limerick Junction taking 2:45 hours, operation from 10:25 till 18:25, going every hour.

The Train station of Ennis is located a10 minute walk from the Glor Theatre.

By bus:

From the airport to Cork Parnell Place bus station: Take a taxi or bus 225 or 226 to Cork Parnell Place Bus Station.

From Cork Parnell Place bus station take bus 51, taking 3:10 hours operating from 7:15 till 18:25, going every hour, arriving at Ennis Bus station, a 10 minute walk from the Glor Theatre.


🅿️ Parking

There is a metered Car Park with 90 spaces adjacent to Glor Theatre (one hour free parking), for the benefit of all patrons, open 24 hours a day, courtesy of Ennis Town Council. Parking tickets are required during the hours of 9am to 6pm.


🏨 Suggested Hotels

Auburn Lodge ***

Site: https://www.auburnlodge.com/

Hotel Woodstock ****

Site: https://www.hotelwoodstock.ie/

Old Ground Hotel ****

Site: https://www.oldgroundhotelennis.com/

Queens Hotel ***

Site: https://www.queenshotelennis.com/en/

Temple Gate Hotel ****

Site: https://www.templegatehotel.com/

Treacys West County Hotel ***

Site: https://www.treacyswestcounty.com/

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