Today, 24 September 2024, IGU’s Vice President – Mr Andrea Stegher – delivered the keynote address for the 54th International Gas Conference taking place at Lake Balaton in Hungary and organised by MVM Group.
Aptly entitled “Gas in the World of Tomorrow”, Mr Stegher’s address focussed on energy supply planning and on the criticality of natural gas as a cheaper, cleaner and more efficient energy source.
In his address, Mr Stegher argued that “there are vast unexplored gas resources around the world which require a solid investment climate, and demand visibility to be brought to consumers. Global energy demand increased by 2.1% in 2023, and we need more consistency when building scenarios to better drive appropriate policy frameworks and access to finance.”
“To close the gap between current and targeted capacity levels of the emerging elements of the gas value chain”, Mr Stegher added, “governments worldwide need to collaborate more closely with industry players on two main issues: lowering the risk of project delays and increasing project bankability.”
Mr. Stegher concluded his remarks by reaffirming IGU’s commitment “to continue its multi-level public, private and political engagement in a positive and transparent manner, and to make sure that gas can play its role in serving our global energy security, economic development and emission reduction”.
As Hungary will also be the host, in 2027, of the International Gas Research Conference (IGRC2027), one of IGU’s flagship events, it is imperative that Central Europe’s research and development efforts across the entire gas value chain are supported and encouraged.