Climate, Durability, Energy, North Sea Cooperation, Pentalateral Energy Forum

Benelux Directors-General for Energy meet in Ghent to discuss cooperation and energy transition.

10 Sep. 2024

The annual Benelux meeting of Directors-General for Energy took place this year in Ghent, under the Belgian presidency. Nancy Mahieu, Director-General for Energy at the FPS Economy, welcomed her colleagues Esther Pijs, newly appointed as Director-General for Green Growth Implementation for the Netherlands, and Simeon Hagspiel, Government Commissioner for Energy in Luxembourg. Michel-Etienne Tilemans, Deputy Secretary-General of the Benelux, represented the Benelux Secretariat.

The meeting provided an opportunity for Esther Pijs to get acquainted with her colleagues and the strategic Benelux dossiers. Additionally, the Directors-General discussed the progress of regional cooperation in the field of energy, both within the Benelux and in broader international frameworks such as the Pentalateral Energy Forum (with France, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland) and the North Seas Energy Cooperation.

At the historic Port House in Ghent, thanks to the hospitality of North Sea Port, participants delved deeper into European reports (by Letta and Draghi) on the internal energy market and how the region can improve its competitiveness. The modernization of cooperation within the Pentalateral Energy Forum was also prepared.

The meeting concluded with discussions with representatives from the energy sector, including North Sea Port and ArcelorMittal. These conversations highlighted ongoing projects under the Belgian Energy Transition Fund and the role of companies in the energy transition.