Energy Summit 2024

Julian Popov

Minister of Environment and Water of Bulgaria

Julian Popov is a senior fellow at the European Climate Foundation, chairman of the Building Performance Institute Europe, and former interim minister of environment of Bulgaria. He served as Bulgaria’s goodwill ambassador for energy and climate policy and energy security advisor to the President of Bulgaria.

Julian Popov is a member of the European Council on Foreign Relations, the Advisory Board of Climate KIC, and the boards of several other energy and climate related organisations. He is one of the founders and currently member of the Board of Trustees of the New Bulgarian University, as well as co-founder of the Tunisian School of Politics. Julian Popov has twice been ranked by EurActiv as one of the 40 most influential voices in European energy policy. His articles on climate and energy policy have been published by the Financial Times, Project Syndicate, NS Energy Monitor, The Independent, Al Jazeera, Huffington Post, EurActiv, and others.

He is the author of two books and co-author of the books "The European Supergrid" and "Energy and Climate Diplomacy".

Iva Petrova

Deputy Minister of Energy

In the period 2000-2009 Iva Petrova worked at the Ministry of Energy, where in 2008 she became Director of Energy Markets and Restructuring Directorate. She was responsible for managing and monitoring energy projects financed under bilateral and multilateral programs, as well as for activities in the field of the establishment of efficient energy markets. Then, since February 2009 until the end of June 2010, she took the position of Director of Projects and Investment in the Bulgarian Energy Holding. Petrova has also worked as an independent evaluator of project proposals.

She is also a part-time assistant at the Faculty of Economics of Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski". Petrova graduated with Master’s degree in "Economics and Management" from the University of Sofia. She also graduated from the University of Birmingham, the United Kingdom. She has completed a number of specialized trainings in Japan, Belgium and Britain. She has been a partner in 3B Advisory Ltd., a company focused on management consulting in the energy sector.

Fluent in English, has good knowledge of Italian language.

Karel Kral

CEO, Electrohold Bulgaria Group

Karel Kral was born in the Czech Republic in 1974. He graduated in Economics from the University of Pilsen. He has worked in the financial consulting, telecommunications, information technology and energy sectors in the Czech Republic, France, Slovakia, Hungary and Albania. In 2009 he became part of the management team of CEZ Group, and in January 2013 he was appointed Chief Financial Officer of CEZ Group in Romania. In 2015 he was named CEZ's regional manager for Bulgaria. After Eurohold acquired CEZ’s assets in Bulgaria on July 27, 2021, Kral became CEO of Electrohold Bulgaria.

Marcin Orłowski

Chief Operating Officer of Veolia in Poland, Board Member

Marcin Orlowski has been working in the energy industry for more than 20 years. He started his professional career in international consulting companies as an auditor and consultant. He also participated in the process of privatisation of large heat and power plants in Poland. In 2005 he joined Veolia in Poland, where he worked in the finance department and was responsible for controlling, reporting and budgeting. During the period 2008-2010, he was a Member of the Board and Chief Financial Officer at Veolia Energia Łódź. Since 2010 he worked at Veolia Тerm, first as a Member of the Board responsible for the company's finances and from 2014 to 2019 as President of the Board. Between September 2019 and February 2021 Marcin Orlowski was President of the Polish Biogas Group (Polska Grupa Biogazowa).

Since June 2021, he is the Chief Operating Officer and a Board Member of Veolia Poland. In addition, in 2022, he became a Board Member of the Polish Biomethane Organization (Polska Organizacja Biometanu), co-founded by Veolia Energia Polska. 

Marcin graduated from the University of Warsaw, Faculty of Management. He also completed postgraduate studies at the Warsaw School of Economics in the field of business informatics, as well as an Executive MBA at Université du Québec à Montréal.

Prof. Dr. Ivan Ivanov

Chairman of the Energy and Water Regulatory Commission

Delyan Dobrev

Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria

Delyan Dobrev is a politician from GERB, economist, Minister of Economy, Energy and Tourism in the first government of Boyko Borisov.
Deputy in the 41st, 42nd, 43rd and 44th National Assembly from Haskovo. Chairman of the Commission on Energy in the National Assembly 2014 - 2019. Elected as a national representative in 45 National Assembly of 29 MIR Haskovo.

Petar Fildishev

Head of Gas Trading and Operations, MET Energy Trading Bulgaria

Petar Fildishev is Head of Gas Trading and Operations at MET Energy Trading Bulgaria. He holds Master's degrees in "Automation and Control" from St. Petersburg National Research University of Information Technologies, Mechanics and Optics (1993) and "Industrial Management" from University of Mining and Geology "St. Ivan Rilski", Sofia, Bulgaria (2006). From 1997 to 2012, he worked for a gas distribution company, successively holding the positions of Planner, Dispatch Center Manager and Sales Director.

Subsequently, from 2013 to 2016 he held the position of Head of Operations Supply Management at Bulgargaz EAD. Since 2017, Petar has been instrumental as the Head of Natural Gas Trading at MET Energy Trading Bulgaria EAD. Within a year, he expanded his responsibilities, assuming the position of the company's Procurator.

Throughout his career, Petar Fildishev actively contributed to the development of crucial regulatory documents within the gas sector, showcasing his commitment to industry advancements and expertise in regulatory affairs.

Jan-Willem Hoogenboezem

Renewable Energy Leader for Europe, Marsh McLennan

Jan-Willem has over 24 years’ experience in the power and renewable energy sector. The first 10 years of his career he worked as an underwriter for Engineering lines. In 2009 Jan- Willem joined Marsh servicing clients in the Renewable Energy space. From 2015 until the end of 2019 he led the E&P department of AON in the Netherlands. In 2021 Jan-Willem re-joined Marsh to become the Offshore Wind Leader for Continental Europe. In 2023 his role was broadened to Renewable Energy Leader for Europe.

Severin Vartigov

Chief Commercial Officer, Enery

Mr. Vartigov has 12 years’ professional experience in the field of energy, including working on significant projects like: South Stream Pipeline, Unit Seven of Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant, Gas connection with Greece. This, combined with his solid financial background in corporate financing and investments, leads him to the current role as Chief Commercial Officer for Enery. He represents a modern renewable energy company which aims to be a leader on the market and contributes to a greener and cleaner generation mix in Central and Eastern Europe. Mr. Vartigov speaks fluently English and German, has master’s degree in finance from University of National and World Economy, Bulgaria and MBA from Cardiff Metropolitan University.

Konstantin Konstantinov

CEO, IBEX

Konstantin Konstantinov has been the Chief Executive Officer of the Independent Bulgarian Energy Exchange (IBEX) since its inception a decade ago. Under his leadership, the Exchange has built and developed key market segments, implemented critically important technological platforms, and facilitated Bulgaria's integration into the unified European electricity market.

Before taking on the leadership role at IBEX, Mr. Konstantinov held various managerial positions at the National Electric Company, where he also served as a member of the Board of Directors of NECO S.A. An important phase of his career in the energy sector includes his work at Enemona Utilitas, where he served as a member of the board and deputy CEO.

He represents IBEX in the association of European energy exchanges, Europex.

Mr. Konstantinov is a co-founder and board member of Bulgaria's first and only think tank for sustainable finance and energy, the Green Finance & Energy Centre.

Konstantin Konstantinov holds master's degrees in electrical engineering from the Technical University of Sofia and in information systems from Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski."

Dimitar Zarchev

Director National Dispatching Center, Electricity System Operator Ltd

Eng. Martin Georgiev

Executive Director of National Electric Company EAD

Valentin Nikolov

Executive Director and Member of the Board of Directors, Kozloduy NPP

Meglena Rusenova

Chairman of the Bulgarian photovoltaic association

Meglena Rusenova was born in 1974 in Plovdiv. She is a lawyer by education. In the period 2001 - 2009 she was deputy governor of Plovdiv region. Since 2011 she has been a managing director of solar and wind power plants. She is Chairman of the Board of the Bulgarian Photovoltaic Association since 2013. Following an election procedure, since December 2015 she represents renewable energy producers in the Board of the Electricity System Security Fund.

 

Milena Videnova

Executive Director, Axpo Bulgaria

Milena Videnova has been Executive Director of Axpo Bulgaria since August 2020, leading a team of over 105 energy professionals. She has been elected as member of the Board of ATEB (Association of Traders with Energy in Bulgaria) since November 2023. Milena is a manager with over 21 years’ experience in the fields of banking, insurance, and finance. She has held senior positions at the German HypoVereinsbank, UniCredit Bulbank and the Austrian HYPO NOE Gruppe Bank, and has been CEO of the Bulgarian branch of credit insurer Coface and of elevator manufacturer KONE. With entrepreneurial experience in insurance brokerage and financial consulting, Milena holds a Master's degree in International Economic Relations from the University of National and World Economy – Sofia.

Svetoslav Ivanov

Chairman of BANG and Executive Director of "Overgas Inc." AD

Pavlos Trichakis

Partner Energy & Resources Practicе, Baringa

Pavlos is a Partner in the Energy & Resources practice at Baringa.  He has over 18 years of experience in consulting, industry, and academia, advising energy companies, financial institutions, regulators, and Governments on a broad range of commercial and strategic issues related to the European energy markets.  

Pavlos leads Baringa’s energy market advisory work in Southern Europe, having advised on over 50 high profile transactions related to the Energy Transition in the region during his time at the firm.  

He holds a PhD in Electrical Power Systems from the Durham Energy Institute.

Dr. Eng. Dimitar Beleliev

Chairperson of the Management Board, CERB EAD

Dr. Eng. Dimitar Beleliev has nearly 30 years of experience as a manager and investor in the energy sector.
Since 2002 he has been the Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the oldest and largest Bulgarian enterprise for maintenance of large generating capacities in the energy sector and the only one on the Balkan Peninsula – CENTRAL ENERGY REPAIR BASE (CERB) EAD. 2020 was the year of establishment of AmonRa Energy AD – a certified center for products and solutions in the solar energy industry and the first photovoltaic company listed on the Bulgarian Stock Exchange, BEAM segment.
Dr. Eng. Dimitar Beleliev is the Chairperson of the Board of the Bulgarian Association of Electrical Engineering and Electronics (BASEL), Chairperson of the Control Council of the Confederation of Employers and Industrialists in Bulgaria (since 2014 to date), Chairperson of the Board of the Bulgarian-Ukrainian Friendship and Cooperation Association (since 2005), as well as a member of the Board of the Scientific – engineering union of power engineers in Bulgaria (since 2016 to date).
Until 2010, Dr. Eng. Beleliev was the Executive Director of Techenergo AD. From 2007 to 2010 he was Chairperson of the Supervisory Board of Energoremont Holding AD, and from 2003 to 2007 he was Chairperson of the Board of Directors of Energoremont Varna AD and Energoremont Ruse AD.
Dimitar Beleliev holds a Master's Degree in Economics with a specialisation in Energy Business from the UNWE in Sofia and a PhD on "Assessment of Bulgaria's Energy Security", awarded also by UNWE.
He is the author of a number of publications on energy security.

Vladislav Panev

Member of Parliament, member of Energy Commission, deputy chairman of the - Yes, Bulgaria parliamentary group

Dr. Evangelos Gazis

Head of Southeastern Europe, Aurora Energy Research

Evangelos is Aurora’s Head of Southeastern Europe, covering Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia and Slovenia.

While at Aurora, Evangelos has gained extensive commercial due diligence experience in renewable energy and storage asset investments across Europe and Australia. He managed Aurora’s multi-client study on hydrogen and has also advised major developers and infrastructure funds on the business case of battery, pumped-hydro and compressed-air storage technologies.

Before joining Aurora in November 2017, Evangelos spent 4 years at Imperial College London asa Research Associate at the Centre for Environmental Policy and a consultant with Imperial  Consultants. He also co-authored the book Energy innovation for the 21st century.

Education and Qualifications

Evangelos holds a PhD in Engineering (Energy Systems) and an MSc with Distinction in Sustainable Energy Systems from the University of Edinburgh, and an MEng in Electrical and Computer Engineering.
Areas of interest
▪ Energy market dynamics and outlook in Southeastern Europe
▪ Low carbon technologies and sustainability policies
▪ Energy infrastructure transactions and commercial due diligence
▪ Energy storage technologies and flexibility markets
▪ Hydrogen production technologies, economics and markets
▪ Asset co-location and economics of hybrid systems
▪ Market trends for Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs)
▪ Electric vehicle charging infrastructure and demand-side flexibilityLanguages Evangelos speaks English, Spanish and Greek.

George A. Formandl

Chief Business Development Officer, Rezolv Energy

George is a Czech-Canadian with over two decades’ experience across private equity, origination, M&A, advisory and project management across CEE/SEE. He is responsible for business development, origination, and project management at Rezolv.

Rezolv Energy is a highly experienced, independent renewable energy producer striving to provide subsidy-free clean power at a long-term, stable price for industrial and commercial customers across Europe. With long-term, committed investment from Actis, one of the world’s most respected energy investors, we help companies reduce their emissions and manage electricity price risks via Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs). Rezolv has over 2GW of clean energy projects being prepared for construction across four sites in Romania and Bulgaria and is expanding its pipeline of projects across several countries.

Previously, George co-founded EnerCap Capital Partners in 2006, which raised and managed the EnerCap Power Fund, the first private equity fund dedicated to renewable energy investment in the CEE region.  Before entering the renewable energy sector, George was a consultant with A.T. Kearney and a Partner with Kilcullen Kapital Partners, where he was responsible for mid-market private equity transactions in the Czech Republic.  George is a CFA Charterholder.

Teodora Georgieva

Executive officer, Gas Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria (ICGB) AD

Teodora Georgieva has more than 20 years of experience as a strategic manager, leading significant projects in various economic sectors. Currently, Ms. Georgieva is the Executive Officer of the Bulgarian side of ICGB AD and is also a member of its Board of Directors. ICGB is responsible for the overall management and development of the gas pipeline between Greece and Bulgaria and is Bulgaria’s second independent transmission system operator.

From 2012 to 2014 Teodora Georgieva was Managing Director of Nabucco Bulgaria, and before that she worked at OMV Bulgaria for 13 years, 8 of which she was Managing Director of the company holding cluster positions for Bulgaria, Romania and Serbia. Georgieva was the coordinator for Bulgaria of the European Round Table of Industrialists (ERT) in 2009 and was among the top 10 Bulgarian managers for 2 consecutive years.

She graduated from the University of National and World Economy and has a master’s degree in Finance. Married, with two children.

Simon Price

CEO and Founder, Exawatt, part of CRU

Iva Draganovska, PhD

Sales Manager and Head of Operation and Maintenance (O&M), Solarpro Holding

Iva Draganovska has 18 years of experience in the renewable energy sector, her focus being primarily on project management, development, operation and energy trading.

She holds a PhD degree in Engineering from the Technical University of Sofia and Master degree in Electrical, Electronics, and Automation Engineering from the same institution and for the past five years she has been working as the Commercial Manager and Head of Operations and Maintenance (O&M) at Solarpro Holding PLC. With strategic vision and keen eye for details, she manages a diverse portfolio of PV projects, carefully coordinating their daily operations to ensure commercial success.

Konstantin Delisivkov

Managing director, Energeo EOOD, member of Geotechmin Group

Mr. Konstantin Delisivkov is the managing director of Energeo EOOD – a licensed energy trader, a member of GEOTECHMIN GROUP.

Mr Delisivkov has many years of experience in regulatory management and business administration. He has worked for the largest industrial companies in Bulgaria in a strategizing their participation in the electricity and natural gas markets, as well as market risk management. For more than 9 years he has been engaged in developing the associated interest of industrial energy consumers in Bulgaria. Subsequently, he held the positions of Executive Secretary, Executive Director and member of the Management Board of the Bulgarian Federation of Industrial Energy Consumers (BFIEC). In the period 2012-2019 he represented the Bulgarian industrial energy consumers in the working parties "Electricity", "Natural Gas" and "Climate and Efficiency" of the International Federation of Industrial Energy Consumers in Brussels, Belgium. In the period 2015 – 2017 he was a co-chair of the Energy Committee of the Energy and Utilities Committee within the Confederation of Employers and Industrialists in Bulgaria (CEIBG).

He was Deputy Minister of Energy of the Republic of Bulgaria, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Bulgarian Energy Holding EAD and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Electricity Company EAD.

Nikola Mihajlovic, CFA

Senior Investment Officer, International Finance Corporation

Nikola Mihajlovic is a Senior Investment Officer in International Finance Corporation (IFC) and a Regional Lead for Bulgaria with IFC’s Energy and Infrastructure investment group. Nikola has more than 15 years of experience with financing private sector projects in energy and infrastructure, in Southeast Europe, South Caucasus and Central Asia regions. Nikola graduated from American University in Bulgaria, with specialization in finance and economics, and holds Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation.

Rositsa Chopeva

Managing Partner, xFigure Finance

Vladimir Malinov

Executive director, Bulgartransgaz EAD

Kristian Atanasov

Business Development and Power Purchase Director, KER TOKI POWER AD

Kristian has held many key roles in the energy sector, including Director of Corporate Sales and Head of Sales at CEZ Electro Bulgaria AD. He has experience in corporate sales, strategic planning, and customer relationship management. In his current role, he is responsible for the development and implementation of energy purchase strategies for KER TOKY POWER - a leader in the clean energy trade in Bulgaria. With a deep understanding of energy market dynamics and regulatory frameworks, and expertise in the RES sector, Christian is a driver of the company's initiatives to improve efficiency and increase RES energy in the overall energy mix.

Oscar Prat

Bulgaria Project Director Energy Systems, Westinghouse

Oscar Prat has nearly 20 years of experience in the energy sector and currently holds the position of Bulgaria Project Director within Energy Systems. He is responsible for leading the expansion project at the Kozloduy site for Westinghouse, where two AP1000® reactors will be constructed. Prior to Oscar’s current role, he served as the Senior Director of Major Equipment & Installation activities for Vogtle 3&4 and VC Summer 2&3 projects from 2016 to 2023. In this role, he had responsibility for leading a diverse organization comprised of Engineers, Project Managers, Machining / Welding Operations, Non-Destructive Examination Operations, Instrumentation & Controls Technicians, and Nuclear Refueling Personnel. This organization focused on the plant’s safety and critical components from their arrival through commissioning to ensure they were able to meet their form, fit, and function.

From 2010 to 2016, Oscar held various roles at the Sanmen Nuclear Power Station, China, where he led multi-cultural teams to set major components of the nuclear steam supply system, install the instrumentation & control system, and address civil / structural issues supporting the constructor. From 2008 to 2010, Oscar served as a Project Manager within the Vogtle 3&4 expansion project to develop processes / plans for manufacturing notifications, project execution plan cultivation, and serve as the lead for development of the twenty-three sub-tier project plans. In 2006 to 2008, Oscar worked in Westinghouse’s Nuclear Field Services division where he developed commercial proposals to various US and international customers. Oscar holds a dual degree in Electrical Engineering and Economics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and an Executive MBA from the University of North Carolina, Kenan-Flagler Business School. He is a two-time recipient of the George Westinghouse Signature Award of Excellence.