PRESS RELEASE

9 June 2016
16GIE049

Gas infrastructure - the enabler of the European low-carbon energy future

Opening the GIE Annual Conference 2016 today in Sofia, Jean-Marc Leroy, President of Gas
Infrastructure Europe (GIE), reiterated the commitment of GIE to achieving the fully integrated
European energy market. He also stated that gas infrastructure will continue to provide
innovative and decentralized solutions to support the European energy transition.

As many as 400 delegates from all over Europe met at the fourteenth edition of the GIE Annual
Conference, gathering the industry, policymakers, regulators, academics, press and other
stakeholders. This years conference addresses major issues the delivery of the Energy Union, the
completion of the energy market and the future energy system.

The conference had the honour to hear keynote speeches by the Prime Minister of Bulgaria, Boyko
Borissov, the Vice-President of the European Commission, Maro efovi, the Former Prime
Minister of the Czech Republic, Mirek Topolnek, and the Executive Director of Bulgartransgaz, the
host of the conference, Georgi Gegov.

The first day of the conference starts with a focus on Central and South-Eastern Europe. It will
feature a debate moderated by Temenuzhka Petkova, Bulgarian Minister of Energy, with Energy
Ministries on how regional cooperation can foster security of supply, market development and
investment. The second day will be dedicated to the implementation of the internal gas market and
the long-term outlook for the future energy system.

In his opening address, Jean-Marc Leroy indicated that infrastructure operators can shape the
energy future in Europe. He stated that: The energy future will be driven by decarbonisation and
decentralization and will be underpinned by the objectives of energy efficiency and security of
supply." He also added that "GIE has been always fully committed to achieving the single and well-
functioning energy market through a continuous dialogue with policymakers, regulators and other
stakeholders.

The COP21 climate agreement of last December will give an altogether new global impetus for the
transition towards a low-carbon economy. For Europe, this means that decarbonisation will have to
take place faster and stronger, said Jean-Marc Leroy.

The GIE President stresses also that there are real opportunities for gas and gas infrastructure
sector: Natural gas is not only the cleanest fossil fuel but it is also a high-scale resource facilitating
integration of renewable energy sources. Gas industry is responsible for showing to the general
public that we are committed to the changing role of gas in the energy system. This makes gas an
extremely powerful instrument to tackle climate change.

This year's GIE Annual Conference will also focus on the further development of interconnections,
which are of particular importance for enhanced security of supply and on innovation which will be
the accelerator of the energy transition.

For more information about the conference and real-time information, please visit www.gie.eu
and/or follow us on Twitter (@GIEBrussels, #GIESofia2016).

Press Contact: Boyana Achovski, T +32 2 209 05 08, M +32 496 126 951, E-mail: boyana.achovski@gie.eu
GIE - Gas Infrastructure Europe, avenue de Cortenbergh 100, 1000 Brussels, Brussels
 PRESS RELEASE
9 June 2016
16GIE049

Note to Editors

Gas Infrastructure Europe (GIE) is an association representing the interests of European natural gas
infrastructure operators active in natural gas transmission, storage and LNG regasification. GIE is a
trusted partner of European institutions, regulatory bodies and industry stakeholders. It is based in
Brussels, the heart of European policymaking.

GIE currently represents 68 member companies from 24 countries. Its internal structure has three
columns corresponding to the three types of infrastructure activities represented: GTE (Gas
Transmission Europe), GSE (Gas Storage Europe) and GLE (Gas LNG Europe), all of which fall under
the umbrella of GIE. This structure allows member companies to speak with one voice on
infrastructure topics as well as to build positions on column-specific issues.

To find out more about GIEs structure and activities, please visit our website at www.gie.eu.

Press Contact

Should you require any further information please contact:

Boyana Achovski
T : +32 2 209 05 08
M: +32 496 126 951

Press Contact: Boyana Achovski, T +32 2 209 05 08, M +32 496 126 951, E-mail: boyana.achovski@gie.eu
GIE - Gas Infrastructure Europe, avenue de Cortenbergh 100, 1000 Brussels, Brussels