E-world Kick-off Focuses on Europe’s Energy Future

For the fourth time, the E‑world Kick-off will bring together leading figures from business and politics online from September 16 to 18 2025. This year’s theme: “Navigating Europe’s Energy Future”. As the digital prelude to Europe’s leading energy trade fair, the event opens the debate months ahead of the exhibition in February. Participation is free of charge, and interested parties can register in advance via the E‑world Community.

With the E‑world Community, E‑world’s organizers provide a year-round information and networking platform. The highlight of the extensive digital program offered there is the E‑world Kick-off. On three mornings from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., current issues relating to the future of energy in Europe will be on the agenda. All contributions will be simultaneously translated into German and English.

The future of the European electricity grid takes centre stage on Tuesday, September 16

On the first day, the digital conference will focus on the backbone of the European energy transition: the electricity grids. How can the European Union shape the common electricity market? What steps need to be taken on the way to an efficient and future-proof electricity grid? Under the guiding question ‘Connecting Europe – Are the electricity grids ready for the energy market transition?’, participants can look forward to

• a fireside chat with Roman Dudenhausen (CEO, conIenergy ag) and Vitalii Zaychenko (CEO, Ukrenergo) on the current situation of the Ukrainian electricity grid, stabilisation after attacks and future interconnection with the European energy market; and
• a panel discussion moderated by Roman Dudenhausen with Dirk Biermann (COO, 50Hertz Transmission); Pierre Bernard, (Founder, Bernard Energy Advocacy); Oliver Schubert (Partner, Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners); and José Novais Gonçalves (Head of Networks Strategy, EDP Group).

Natural gas in the European energy transition is the topic on Wednesday, September 17

Is natural gas a bridge, a blockade or both in the European energy transition? The second day will be devoted to this question. Moderator Ludwig Möhring (CEO, Federal Association of Natural Gas, Crude Oil and Geoenergy) will explain the role natural gas will play in the future and the importance of an EU gas procurement strategy in

• a fireside chat with Alexander Lücke (Deputy Director, General Energy Security, Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy) and in
• a panel discussion with Matthias Dohrn (President Global Procurement, BASF); Michael Lewis (CEO, Uniper); Holger Lösch (Deputy Managing Director, Federation of German Industries); and Andy Drummond (EVP Strategy, Woodside Energy).

The municipal level of the energy transition will be the focus on Thursday, September 18

‘Local, innovative, together – how municipalities and SMEs are shaping the future of energy’: The motto on the third day shows that the energy transition is a joint task that requires local forces to be pooled and used efficiently. How can local authorities and SMEs work together to drive innovation, implement climate targets and leverage regional strengths? These questions will be addressed in:

• a presentation by Stig Aagaard (Energy Attaché, Royal Danish Embassy), who will shed light on ‘The Danish municipal energy transition and its influence on the Danish presidency of the Council of the European Union’, and in
• a panel discussion moderated by Manuel Schrepfer (Unit Manager, BDEW) with Sebastian Bolay (Head of Energy, Environment, Industry, DIHK – German chamber of Industry and Commerce), Robert Brandt (Managing Director, Renewable Energy Agency), Timm Fuchs (Deputy, German Association of Towns and Municipalities) and a representative of a regional utility company (requested).