On Wednesday 23 September 2015, the European Convention Center Luxembourg will host the informal meeting of energy ministers, entitled 'New Energy Technologies as Business and Investment Opportunities for Europe".
Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of the Economy, Étienne Schneider has invited several heads of renowned European and international technology companies, whose mission is to stimulate innovation in the field of energy, to the conference, which will be devoted mainly to new energy technologies as a motor for economic growth and job creation.
These captains of industries, whose presence at the conference is hoped will foster open and constructive discussion, feature Elon Musk, co-founder of PayPal and head of the satellite launcher SpaceX. With his company Tesla, Musk has set a global benchmark in the construction of upscale electric cars and the production of so-called stationary batteries which store electrical energy originating from solar panels, which have been created for homes or small businesses.
Other speakers include American economist and sociologist, Jeremy Rifkin, who will also feature as Guest of Honour at the Luxembourg Sustainability Forum the following day; and Bertrand Piccard, driver and co-founder of the 'Solar Impulse' project which promotes renewable energy by travelling the world on board an aircraft powered by solar energy.
At the Informal Council, the Energy Ministers will join Vice-President of the Commission, Jyrki Katainen, in discussing the potential of 'Juncker funds' in increasing low carbon investments in the EU.
There will also be an exchange of views on the possible synergy between energy and development aid, in the presence of Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy, Miguel Arias Cañete and former French Minister, Jean-Loui Borloo, who cites the electrification of Africa as a top priority.
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