Embassy Energy Talk at the Italian Embassy: Bridging Continents with Green Energy
The World Energy Council Austria had the pleasure of launching its 2025 Embassy Energy Talk series with an inspiring evening at the Ambasciata d’Italia a Vienna, graciously hosted by H.E. Giovanni Pugliese, Ambassador of Italy to Austria, in the historic and elegant Palais Metternich.
This exclusive event brought together leading voices in energy diplomacy, innovation, and sustainability to explore one of the most dynamic frontiers of the energy transition: green hydrogen and its emerging role in connecting Europe and Northern Africa.
We extend our sincere thanks to Ambassador Pugliese for his warm hospitality and commitment to the international energy dialogue. Our gratitude also goes to Dr. Berislav Gašo, Vice President of the World Energy Council Austria, for his welcoming remarks, which set the tone for an evening rich in insight and exchange.
Key Takeaways from the Discussion
- The Maghreb region is positioning itself as a future hub for green hydrogen, with bold national strategies and significant infrastructure planning already underway.
- The SouthH2 Corridor will play a key role in realizing the REPowerEU plan by delivering green energy from Northern Africa directly into the heart of Europe.
- Since the EU’s first communication on a common hydrogen strategy in 2020, progress has been swift but the road ahead remains long — with crucial milestones still to be reached.
- Unlocking economies of scale and competitive pricing will depend on strong commitment from both suppliers and off-takers across the hydrogen value chain.
- While green hydrogen is steadily evolving from a niche product into a mainstream energy carrier, achieving commercial viability may require a transitional role for other hydrogen colors.
We are deeply grateful to our expert panelists for their thoughtful contributions and forward-looking perspectives:
- Mr. Daniele Gamba, Managing Director, TAG GmbH
- Ms. Ilaria Conti, Coordinator Strategy & Development, Florence School of Regulation
- Ms. Petra Schwager, Chief, Climate and Technology Partnerships Division at UNIDO
- Mr. Michael Woltran, Chair, Austrian Gas Grid Management AG
The discussion was moderated by Mr. Gerhard Gamperl, Secretary General of the World Energy Council Austria.
Looking Ahead
The evening made one thing clear: international collaboration is key to the future of green energy. By bridging continents, industries, and institutions, we can transform bold visions into concrete, sustainable outcomes.
We thank all our guests and partners for making this first Embassy Energy Talk of the year a success — and we look forward to continuing this dialogue throughout 2025 and beyond.
Let’s keep the momentum going as we build a cleaner, connected energy future.
