Speakers

Johannes Tralla is a journalist at Estonian Public Broadcasting. From 2012 to 2018, he served as the EU correspondent based in Brussels. Since 2018, Johannes has been hosting the current affairs program Esimene stuudio and the foreign news program Välisilm on ETV. He also anchors the evening news Aktuaalne kaamera and hosts the economic program Mis värvi on majandus?

Baiba Miltoviča has been President of the Transport, Energy, Infrastructure and Information Society (TEN) Section of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) since 2020.

She also co-operates with the European Consumer Organisation and DG Justice and Consumers and is a member of the European Consumer Consultative Group of the European Commission. Additionally, Ms. Miltoviča is a Board Member of the Latvian National Association for Consumer Protection sits on the Advisory Board of the Latvian Public Utilities Commission.

Previously, she was Vice-President of the EESC’s Diversity Europe Group and a member of the EESC’s Single Market, Production and Consumption (INT) Section; Economic and Monetary Union and Economic and Social Cohesion (ECO) Section and Transport, Energy, Infrastructure and Information Society (TEN) Section.

Andrei V. Belyi is an experienced academic and consultant. His consultancy activities include connecting investors with energy project developers and analysing the implementation of EU climate policies. Among others, he participated in the Technical Support Instrument of the REPowerEU plan in Estonia and participated in studies related to Just Transition in Ida-Virumaa region.

Mr. Belyi holds an honorary title of Adjunct Professor in energy law and policy at the Centre for Climate Change, Energy and Environmental Law at the University of Eastern Finland, he is also editorial board member of the Oxford Journal of World Energy Law and Business founded by the International Association of Energy Negotiators. 

Priit Ilomets has a 15-year career spanning business development, R&D, leadership, transformational coaching, and elite sports. With a strong background in science and technology, and deep experience in coaching and sports, he brings a unique perspective to driving innovation and making sustainable changes. Priit currently leads the Hydrogen Technologies unit in the Metrosert Applied Research Center.
As Business Director and CEO of the Centre of Food and Fermentation Technologies (TFTAK), he transformed the SME from a mainly state-supported entity into a flourishing, self-sustaining enterprise with an ARR of €3.5M.

An ICF-certified transformational coach, Mr. Ilomets excels at building strong, empathetic client relationships through active listening and a tailored approach.

Berndt Schalin, CEO of Flexens Oy Ab, is senior business executive with experience in both operational corporate management and private equity. He has been e.g. President of the power electronics companies Efore Plc and Powernet Oy and Investment Director at 3i Finland. He has experience in the energy sector since the 1990s, when he built an international success story around energy-saving lighting technologies as Helvar’s Development Director. At 3i he was responsible for Empower Oy, an energy infrastructure company, and since 2010 he has, as an advisor, business angel and board professional, been involved in the creation and growth stories of several energy technology-based start-up companies.

Mirjam Eerma is the Deputy Head of Global Business Development at Invest Estonia, promoting foreign investments and assisting international companies in uncovering business opportunities in Estonia, particularly within the energy and industry sectors. In this role, she fosters strategic partnerships and facilitates the entry and expansion of global enterprises in the Estonian market. 

Ms. Eerma holds a Master’s degree in Industrial Economics with a specialisation in energy markets, further enhancing her expertise in the economic and strategic aspects of the energy sector and has extensive experience from the work with energy companies and consultancy firms, including TSOs.

Lars Frode Askheim is the Founder, Chair, and CEO of Biojet, established in 2018. He has extensive experience in senior management positions across several successful biofuel companies and a broad international background in renewable energy trading. A forest owner since 1986, Mr Askheim holds a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering (NTH).

Erik Laidvee has an MBA degree in Economics from Tallinn Technical University. He began his career in Estonian Shipping Company and has led significant projects in the Port of Tallinn for over 25 years, particularly in Transiidikeskuse AS as CEO in the Muuga container and general cargo terminals.

His latest years as CEO of AS Eesti Raudtee were dedicated to the company’s renewal and modernisation, resulting in one of the region’s most modern and innovative railways. He is now focused on developing green energy, leading companies in this field since 2021.

Zofia Lukszo is a full professor of Smart Energy Systems at the Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management at Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands.

Her research concentrates on a wide range of problems in the way complex energy systems are functioning and can be (re-)shaped for the sustainable future. Zofia is a Steering Board member of PowerWeb Institute at the TU Delft – an interfaculty research programme on smart and integrated energy systems, and a Supervisory Board member of the Green Village – a living lab connected to the TU Delft. As a senior IEEE Member, she actively contributed to many international workshops and conferences.

As a chair of the DEWIS network of TU Delft female scientists, she actively contributes to creating inclusive working environment for everyone and the empowerment of women.

Prior to 2011, Rene Tammist served as a policy advisor at the European Parliament, with a focus on climate and energy policy. From 2011 to 2018, he was the Executive Director of the Estonian Renewable Energy Association. During this time, he also served on the Administrative Board of the European Union Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (2012-2018). From 2018 to 2019, he held the position of Minister of Entrepreneurship and Information Technology in the cabinet of Prime Minister Jüri Ratas. Since 2019, Tammist has been with the Utilitas Group and currently serves as CEO of Utilitas Wind.

Jan-Willem is a business developer in the TNO Unit “Energy & Materials Transition” and more specifically leading the TNO group “Sustainable Fuels and Chemicals”. Within this group TNO scientists are developing novel process integration and process intensification concepts, e.g. novel reactor designs for the production of bio- and e-fuels and chemicals. We aim to realize robust technology concepts that produce fuels and chemicals, such as methanol, DME, ethylene and kerosene, with high conversion rates and high selectivity that will have impact in the energy and material transition of industry.

Jan-Willem is energized by working in a creative and innovative environment. As a chemical engineer, he has always worked on the interface of technical solutions and business development. “It is my mission to empower the scientists and technicians at TNO by boosting the development of innovative technologies, take these out of the lab and introduce these in industry, where it can truly have an impact.”

Kalle Kilk has been the Chairman of the Board and CEO of Elering, the Estonian electricity and gas transmission system operator since July 2023. Kalle's career at Elering began in 1998. In 2007, he was appointed as a member of the management board responsible for the area of asset management, a position he held until he was elected Chairman. Kalle holds a PhD in Power Engineering and Geotechnology from Tallinn University of Technology.

Enn Lust is a professor of physical chemistry with over 25 years of experience, specialising in innovative techniques for enhancing energy sustainability, efficiency, and storage. He is a member of the Estonian Academy of Sciences, the EASAC Energy Steering Committee, the Scientific Committee of the Estonian Hydrogen Valley, and the Estonian Hydrogen Technologies Association. Additionally, he represents the University of Tartu in Hydrogen Europe Research. From 2011 to 2015, he served as a scientific advisor for the Estonian Energy Technology Development Programme and contributed to the Estonian Energy Technology Roadmap and the ENMAK2030+ plan. He is currently involved in developing the ENMAK2035+ Roadmap and was the principal investigator for two Centres of Excellence in Science.

Ms. Baltause has 17 years of work experience with the European Commission. Before joining the Commission, she was a civil servant and career diplomat at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia. She held positions as Head of the EU Economic Policy and EU Enlargement units, and served as Deputy Head of Mission in Vienna.

Since joining the European Commission, her main responsibilities have included legislative development and implementation, with a particular focus on renewable fuels; regional cooperation in the energy sector, including the Baltic Sea Region; and international energy cooperation.

Since 2022, she has been working on EU hydrogen legislation and standardisation, as well as coordinating EU international hydrogen cooperation.

She has also held secondment positions within the Commission: in support of Latvia’s EU Presidency in the Council; and in support of a Commission Task Force focused on energy market and legislative development in Ukraine.

Peter brings decades of expertise across the entire energy value chain, having started at Shell, and throughout his time at McKinsey & Company and Power2X, serving a broad set of multinational industrials across oil & gas, power generation, and other heavy industries. His project development experience spans diverse geographies, from chemical catalyst investments in the Netherlands and North Sea offshore decarbonisation to upstream drilling in China and midstream gas-gathering in Iraq. This is complemented by the global client base he has served as an advisor out of Dubai, covering the Americas, the Middle East, and Europe.

Throughout his career, Peter has built a skill set in capital excellence and delivery, in complex brownfield operations, and in deal-making and execution. Currently based in Amsterdam, Peter focuses on building Power2X’s advisory practice in Project Delivery as a Service across Europe and directs and oversees a bio- and e-methanol investment in the Baltic states. His notable efforts in biomass-based energy, bio-based chemistry, and both blue and green hydrogen underline his dedication to energy and material transition strategies that are practical, goal-oriented, and feasible in the complex regulatory and political landscape of the EU.

Aivars Starikovs is a Member of the Board of Hydrogen Europe. Hydrogen Europe represents the European industry, national associations, and research centres active in the hydrogen and fuel cell sector.

Aivars is also a Member of the Board of the Latvian Hydrogen Association and an Advisor for Energy and Alternative Fuels to the President of the Latvian Academy of Sciences.

His current responsibilities include: coordinating international cooperation, working with responsible Ministries and Municipal Authorities, developing and implementing Infrastructure Business Plans, and ensuring excellence in research, development, and management. Currently, as the North-East European cluster coordinator, he is involved in the development of joint procurement activities for fuel cell buses, which stimulate business cases and support the ongoing implementation of zero-emission hydrogen transport.

Previously, he was the coordinator for the priority National State Research Programme “Innovative Technologies for Energy Extraction and Use of Low Carbon Assurance with Renewable Energy, Support Measures for Environmental and Climate Degradation Mitigation - LATENERGI,” evaluating hydrogen technologies in stationary and mobile applications in Latvia.

Ambassador designate Sander van der Sluis started his career at the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1996. He most recently served as head of the EU defence policy team at the Ministry of Defence, on secondment from the MFA. Previously, he served in many different roles at the MFA, including as the strategic policy advisor at the Multilateral Affairs Department, as policy coordinator at the Security Policy Department and as advisor at the office of the Secretary-General. He was head of EP-relations at the Dutch Permanent Representation to the EU in Brussels. Before that he had several functions in the area of EU-enlargement. Born in Nijmegen, ambassador designate Van der Sluis holds a Master of Arts Degree from the College of Europe Natolin and a Master of Law Degree from Maastricht University. Besides his native language Dutch, he speaks English, French, Swedish and German. He is accompanied by his wife and oldest daughter. You can follow the ambassador designate on X at @sandervandsluis and on @NLinEstonia

Thomas Kattnig, who started his career working in the energy sector, has been Vice-President of the Transport, Energy, Infrastructure and Information Society Section of the European Economic and Social Committee since 2020. He is also Vice-President of the EESC Workers' Group.

As a member of the EESC's Permanent Study Group on Energy, he recently played a leading role in the preparation of EESC opinions on various energy issues, including the hydrogen bank.

In addition to being a Member of the Management Board of younion _ Die Daseinsgewerkschaft, an Austrian trade union representing more than 145,000 members, mainly working in local and regional government, including the energy sector, he is also a Member of the Executive Committee of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC).

As Vice-President of the European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU) and Vice-President of Public Services International (PSI), he represents the interests of public sector employees not only at the national level, but also at European and global levels.

Kaupo Läänerand is Deputy Secretary General for Maritime and Water Affairs in the Ministry of Climate in Estonia. Mr Läänerand is maritime expert with long managerial experience in international shipping and the public sector. After having worked abroad in the merchant fleet and offshore sector, he became Head of the Fleet in the Police and Border Guard Board (Coast Guard functions) in Estonia, where he initiated reforms resulting in greater efficiency, more joint operations and increased cooperation at various levels.

As Deputy Minister, he is actively finding solutions to improve Estonia as a maritime nation. This includes creating competitive and sustainable maritime policy, consolidating government owned fleet, protecting maritime environment, increasing the Estonian flag competitiveness and implementing green policy in maritime sectors. Two of the latest initiatives are preparing Ukrainian Maritime Recovery Plan and supporting creation of Estonian Marine Greentech and RetrofitHub.

One of key challenges is also reforming the water management sector in Estonia to be more efficient and sustainable. Climate changes require stronger resilience both in the water management and blue economy sectors, which is one of the strategic aims for Deputy Minister.

Clare Harris is Executive Vice President of Investments and Portfolio at Power2X, a rapidly growing scale-up advancing green molecules and sustainable energy solutions. In this role, Clare leads the company’s investment strategy and portfolio management, building a pipeline of projects that drive Power2X’s growth and position it as a major player in the clean energy transition.

Before joining Power2X in early 2024, Clare was Executive Vice President, Supply Chain, Contracting and Procurement (Chief Supply Chain Officer) at Shell, leading a global organisation across 30 countries and a €40b per annum network of non-hydrocarbon goods, services, logistics, and supplier relationships essential to Shell’s operations.

Prior to her role as CSCO, Clare served as Executive Vice President of Integrated Gas Ventures Development at Shell, overseeing the global Integrated Gas growth portfolio and strategic restructuring across North America, the Middle East, East Africa, and Southeast Asia following Shell’s landmark acquisition of BG.

Earlier, she led Shell’s LNG and gas ventures in the eastern hemisphere and served as Managing Director of Shell’s GTL business in Malaysia. Clare has held diverse roles across Shell’s commercial, strategy, sustainability, and general management areas in Europe, Nigeria, Qatar, India, Southeast Asia, and the UK Foreign Office in Libya.

Alongside her work in the energy transition, Clare is an advocate for inclusion and diversity and actively mentors new leaders.