Unlocking low-cost renewables in Southeast Europe: Case studies on de-risking onshore wind investment

Agora Energiewende´s mandate is to develop academically rigorous and politically feasible pathways for transforming energy systems toward clean energy in Germany, Europe and across the globe. Because its core funding comes from philanthropic organisations, Agora is fully autonomous, operating independently of business interests and political pressures. Since its founding in 2012, Agora Energiewende has become one of the leading think tanks in the field of energy system transformations.
Agora acts as an intermediary between decision-makers, stakeholders, scientists, and the media by combining research, dialogue, and outreach. A dedicated team of more than 40 experts examines a host of issues crucial to the energy transition. Through both in-house and commissioned studies, Agora finds answers to economic, technological, and policy questions in order to deepen the understanding and to create a base of knowledge for developing targeted solutions. Through intensive dialogue with major stakeholders, Agora provides evidence for setting future energy policy, build consensus about the best solutions, and promote measures to apply in specific contexts. In its international activities, Agora closely cooperates with partners in a number of emerging economies and OECD countries.

ASOR is a non-profit organization, whose members have a vast experience in the energy sector: in energy systems, renewable energy sources, technology, markets, policy and regulation. They come with different backgrounds – from R&D, consultancy, advisory, government affairs and private equity investments – and with in-depth knowledge of technical, economic and social aspects of renewable energy deployment and economics.

ASOR is dedicated to the promotion of sustainable development with the focus on sustainable energy, and strongly encourages participation of citizens and local communities in sustainable energy policy making. ASOR represents the meeting point of civil society organizations, science, politics and businesses. ASOR creates synergies with partner organizations and individuals, experienced professionals and experts, which allow for in-house multidisciplinary project teams.

The National Observatory of Athens (NOA) is the first research Institution created in Greece (1842). The activities of NOA are organized in 3 research Institutes, namely the Institute of Astronomy, Astrophysics, Space Applications and Remote Sensing (IAASARS); the Institute of Environmental Research and Sustainable Development (IERSD); and the Geodynamics Institute (GI). Besides basic and applied research and services to the society, these Institutes provide the facilities for student training in collaboration with other Greek and foreign Universities. NOA hosts the UNESCO Chair for Natural Disasters and the Greek Focal Point of the Global Earth Observing System of Systems (GEOSS), operates the National Seismological Network, participates in the OPTICON and other international research networks, etc.
The IERSD was established in 1846 and constituted the first official Meteorological Service of Greece, operating almost all meteorological stations of the existing network until 1931, when the National Meteorological Service was founded. It holds the longest and most complete climatological records in Greece, spanning a 150-yrs period, and a historical record of atmospheric ozone data, monitored from 1900 to1940, which is unique for Southeastern Europe. A milestone to the evolution of the Institute was the study of atmospheric pollution, through the systematic monitoring of pollutants with a network of six stations (passed to the Ministry of the Environment in 1984, forming the basis of the National Network for the Monitoring of Atmospheric Pollution. In 1999 the Institute was renamed as Institute for Environmental Research and Sustainable Development (IERSD), in response to the modern environmental challenges for a sustainable future. Its activities expanded further towards the study of impacts of development on the environment, climate change, hydrology & natural resources management, air quality and energy saving. Currently, IERSD with its research and consultancy activities has become a national “focal point” for environmental issues and provides several added value services in the national economy, environment and society.