CEE CEO Nikola Oklobdžija addresses ESG and operational challenges at Balkan Solar Summit
Nikola Oklobdžija, CEO CEE of Fortis Energy, participated in the Balkan Solar Summit to discuss the integration of ESG frameworks within the renewable energy sector. The discussion focused on how ESG currently functions as a technical and financial requirement for project development and asset valuation.
Key Operational Hurdles Identified
During the panel, Fortis Energy identified specific barriers to the energy transition in Southeast Europe. The technical and regulatory challenges discussed included:
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Grid Infrastructure: The requirement for flexible connection models to manage existing grid constraints.
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Permitting and Regulation: The necessity for regulatory harmonization to reduce project delays.
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Carbon Policy: Impact of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and compliance with EU standards.
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Project Finance: Managing the complexities of structured financing to maintain bankability.
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Supply Chain and Local Impact: Addressing supply chain pressures and social acceptance in project regions.
Market Outlook
The session emphasized that the energy transition in the region is driven by ESG principles. Fortis Energy advocates for closer coordination between developers, regulators, and investors to address these technical bottlenecks and ensure long-term asset value through transparency and governance.
The panel was moderated by Danijela Isailovic and included Branko Torbica, Luka Bjekovic, Nina Hojnik, and Aljoša Pleić.