BETD 2020 cancelled, energy transition dialogue continues

The BETD conference, scheduled for 24 + 25 March 2020, has been cancelled due to the worldwide spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19).

Berlin, 9 March 2020 – It is with heavy heart and great regret that the German government and the conference’s organizing team must announce the cancellation of the 6th Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue (BETD), which was scheduled to take place on 24 and 25 March. The global interest in the energy transition and the BETD is bigger than ever. Over 75 ministerial delegations, nearly 200 international press representatives and a record number of participants from Germany and around the world had been planning to attend this year’s conference. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was scheduled as the keynote speaker, and four federal ministers had confirmed their attendance. 18 high-level sessions on the energy transition were to provide the platforms for a valuable exchange of views between, on the one hand, international figures from finance, politics and civil society, including the European Investment Bank President Werner Hoyer and EU Commissioner Kadri Simson, and young climate activists on the other hand.

The health of guests, speakers, partners and staff, however, is the top priority. Due to the worldwide spread of COVID-19 and the recommendation of the Federal Ministry of Health to cancel large-scale events, the dialogue will not take place. The focus of this year’s conference was going to be on topics such as the need for a “Global Green Deal” and international cooperation in key technological fields of the energy transition, e.g. hydrogen.

Andreas Kuhlmann, Chief Executive of the Germany Energy Agency (Deutsche Energie-Agentur, dena): “It’s a shame, and quite sad, but in light of current events it is also more than justified. It is especially unfortunate for the nearly 200 start-ups and innovators from all over the world who were looking forward to the chance to engage in an exchange on this prominent international stage. In particular the cooperation between the BETD and the SET-Tech Festival has always presented a great opportunity to cooperate in the shaping of the global energy transition. We will find a new ways to carry on the exchange.“

“Already now, we will start focusing on the BETD 2021 in order to continue this inspiring and urgently needed process of dialogue. Global developments are fueling an overwhelming interest in the energy transition, and the BETD is a unique place to further the exchange of concepts and perspectives in the building of a future-proof energy supply system. In many countries, electricity from renewable energy sources is already the most affordable source of electricity. As prices continue to fall, the cost benefit of renewables will only increase, and their decentralized use – also in conjunction with the heating, transport and industrial sectors – will, in many parts of the world, lead to greater climate justice, new economic opportunities and security of supply,” says Dr. Simone Peter, President of the German Renewable Energy Federation (Bundesverband Erneuerbare Energien, BEE).

Since 2015, the BETD has developed into a leading international forum for key stakeholders in the energy sector. High-level political decision-makers and players from industry, science and civil society exchange views, experiences and ideas that promote an environmentally friendly, secure and affordable global energy transition. Over 2,000 participants from more than 90 countries, 50 federal ministers of foreign and energy affairs and state secretaries as well as over 100 prominent speakers came together in the German capital in 2019.

The Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue takes place at the invitation of the German Federal Government and is a joint initiative of the German Renewable Energy Federation (BEE), the German Solar Association (BSW-Solar), the Germany Energy Agency (dena) and eclareon.

We look forward to welcoming our guests and partners for the next edition of the Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue in spring 2021.
Meanwhile, the energy transition dialogue continues online: You can follow the dialogue on Twitter and Instagram under @greensofa_betd, and on LinkedIn under “Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue.” Share your vision of a global energy transition with us!