Delegate

Dr. Goran Čogelja is an internationally recognized expert in energy security, with over 30 years of experience in the energy sector, focusing on security of supply, critical infrastructure resilience, and strategic management of energy systems in the context of geopolitical and security challenges. His career spans operational, regulatory, and advisory roles at the highest level, including work with governments, international organizations, and major energy companies across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.

He currently serves as a lead consultant at the Hrvoje Požar Energy Institute in Zagreb, where he contributes to the development of strategic frameworks for energy transition and supply security amid increasing market volatility, decarbonization, and shifting geopolitical relations. His work focuses on developing models that ensure stable operation of power systems while strengthening their resilience to disruptions and crises.

Throughout his career, he has developed strong expertise in energy security policy and critical infrastructure protection, including identifying and managing risks arising from geopolitical tensions, market disruptions, and security threats. He places particular emphasis on vulnerabilities of power systems as critical infrastructure, including physical threats, regulatory disruptions, and supply chain disturbances.

His approach includes analyzing and addressing hybrid threats that combine economic, political, and security pressures on energy systems, including market manipulation, dependence on strategic energy resources, and the influence of external actors on supply stability. In this context, he develops models for early risk detection and strengthening institutional and operational resilience.

As an advisor, he has led processes for establishing regulatory and operational frameworks for integrating independent power producers (IPPs) into electricity systems, taking into account contractual obligations and infrastructure constraints. His work has ensured supply continuity and system stability in environments marked by political instability and heightened security risks.

He has actively participated in the development of the regional electricity market in Southeast Europe, including implementing EU energy directives and establishing market mechanisms that enable cross-border integration. His work contributes to reducing systemic risks through energy source diversification and enhanced regional cooperation.

His professional background also includes key management roles in several regional energy companies, where he was responsible for developing and managing energy trading. This experience provides deep insight into market dynamics and the ability to identify vulnerabilities with potential security implications.

Dr. Čogelja has formal education in corporate governance from the Adizes Institute (USA) and advanced negotiation training based on the Harvard methodology, completed at the Vienna School of Negotiation, enabling a structured approach to complex negotiations.

He actively applies these skills in negotiations between governments, investors, and energy companies, particularly in structuring PPA agreements and defining regulatory frameworks.

His work is especially relevant in the growing intersection between energy and security policy. He analyzes the impact of global energy flows, strategic decisions of major economies, and regional security challenges on the stability of energy systems, with a focus on resilience.

Academically, he holds a PhD in technical sciences, specializing in risk management in energy markets. As a university professor, he contributes to educating experts in the energy field.

He is the author and co-author of numerous scientific and professional publications on energy security, power system stability, and energy policy. His profile is further strengthened by international certifications, including multiple EXAA licenses and specializations in risk management and project management.

Due to his ability to integrate technical, regulatory, and security aspects of energy, Dr. Čogelja serves as a key advisor in strategic decision-making processes related to critical infrastructure protection and energy security at both national and international levels.