The international  Renewable Energy Action Plans in the Baltic Sea Region - Status and Development conference is held in Helsinki, Finland on 26^th - 27^th of November 2009. The conference is part of the three year project, Baltic Sea Region Bioenergy Promotion, which is partly financed by the European Union.

The aim of the European Union is to raise the share of renewable energy up to 20 % from the final energy consumption by the year 2020. For that reason each member state has its individual goals defined in the Renewable Energy directive (RES). 

The RES-directive also requires all the member countries to prepare national action plans by the year 2010 in order to have the strategies to increase renewable energy shares in electricity production, heating and cooling as well as in transportation. Therefore the conference will concentrate on the RES-directive and national Renewable Energy Action Plans (NREAPs). These action plans are prepared through policy measures and regulations and by taking into account different ways to achieve the targets such as cooperation between local, regional and national authorities. 

The conference will give and show you:

• the latest information of the planning and implementation stages of the NREAPs
• the role of bioenergy in different Baltic Sea Region countries
• a chance to share experiences with other colleagues
• the most recent views from the Commission by Hilkka Summa, Head of Unit - Bioenergy, Biomass, Forestry and Climate Change
• 
  

In addition, there will be a Conference dinner on 26^th of November. It is an excellent meeting point for networking with bioenergy actors in the Baltic Sea Region in a relaxing  atmosphere with good food and music.

Both ministry officers, regional decision makers, and representatives from different companies are welcome to participate in the conference together with many bioenergy actors.

The language of the conference will be English and there is a participation fee.

If you want to be up-to-date on what is happening on bioenergy field and among NREAPs, come and join us!

For more detailed information about the conference:

TIMO MÄÄTTÄ, Head of Unit, Motiva Oy

(timo.maatta@motiva.fi)

REGISTRATION

Please register to the conference at the latest by 23th of November.

PROGRAMME

The conference programme can be found here.

USEFUL INFORMATION – PRICES, TRAVEL AND STAY

The fees are

• 25^th of Nov 2009 WP 3 project meeting:  80 € (including 22 % VAT)
• 26^th -27^th of Nov 2009 Conference: 170 € (including 22 % VAT)
• 25^th – 27^th of Nov 2009 WP 3 Project meeting and conference: 200 € (including 22 % VAT)
• Conference dinner 26^th of Nov 2009: 75 € (including 22 % VAT)

Ask for possible cancellation on registration desk on Thursday 26th of Nov.

Accommodation

We have made preliminary reservations at two hotels. Special rates have been agreed for the conference participants for the congress dates. The reservations for the hotels should be made along the registration. In order to guarantee the hotel, please take care of the reservation latest on the 20^th of October. 

Hotel Arthur

Hotel Arthur is located close to the Railway station in the heart of Helsinki. The main sights, biggest department stores and theatres are just a walking distance away as also the conference venue.

Price

 € 104 standard single room

€ 124 standard double room

The rate is per room per night and includes buffet breakfast and VAT.

Conference venue

The conference venue is:

Helsinki Congress Paasitorni

Paasivuorenkatu 5 A

00530 HELSINKI

Conference dinner

Restaurant Pääkonttori

Mikonkatu 23

00100 HELSINKI