"The PPC is a force for stability and a leader in the energy transition," PPC's CEO Georgios Stassis said, speaking in Washington, DC, at the "Energy Security and Geopolitics Conference" organized by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).

He explained that we are at a critical time when we need to address climate change and secure energy supplies.

Political stability, he stressed, is a prerequisite for energy security, something Europe has found out the hard way after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. He also underlined the role of renewable sources in improving energy security and the need for flexible energy systems, especially grids.

"Energy systems need to be flexible to ensure stability, reliability and cost efficiency. Flexibility comes both from energy assets (such as batteries and gas plants) and from critical infrastructure, including resilient electricity grids and interconnections between countries," Stasi said.

Describing the peculiarities of Southeast Europe, Stasi stressed that there is a wide range of conditions, from Romania, which is less dependent on gas imports, to a significantly dependent Bulgaria. From countries that are well advanced with their energy transformation, such as Greece, to more inactive countries, such as the Western Balkans,. And of course, from countries with a stable political environment, such as EU members, to dangerous conditions of hybrid warfare, such as in Ukraine.

"Despite the complexities, PPC, as an integrated utility and a leader in the development of clean energy, critical infrastructure, and energy services, is ideally positioned to lead the energy transition in Southeast Europe," Mr. Stassis said. "We know how to rapidly deploy renewables and flexible capacity, how to expand and modernise electricity grids, and how to meet customer demand for affordable prices. We also fully understand the importance of synergies and, more generally, what a power system needs to transition to the new era while remaining secure. This is our mission and the driving force behind all our decisions," said Stassis, while making special mention of PPC's +1.78% investment in Alexandroupolis, with the CCGT unit under construction, and the acquisition of Enel's companies in Romania.