BEF 2026 reveals new wave of sponsors as Belgrade prepares to host regional energy elite

Belgrade Energy Forum – BEF 2026 has expanded its partner network and is welcoming another group of energy transition leaders in Southeast Europe. The growing roster of sponsors, headed by WV International, underscores the conference’s role as a hub for decarbonization and energy investment in the region.

Scheduled for May 11 and 12, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency Belgrade, BEF returns for its fourth edition. Over the years, it has evolved into the region’s largest platform for energy professionals, attracting an increasing number of international and regional stakeholders and decision makers to the Serbian capital.

Energy Community Secretariat Director Artur Lorkowski and Serbian Minister of Mining and Energy Dubravka Đedović Handanović are opening the event. Taking center stage, WV International is the Gold sponsor, remaining a central pillar of the forum since its first edition in 2023.

The participants themselves can best describe the conference. Among them is Energy Traders Europe Chief Executive Officer Mark Copley, who is coming to Belgrade for the second time.

“I enjoyed my first visit to the Belgrade Energy Forum and had no hesitation in returning this year. The event attracts a stellar line-up of senior speakers from across the private and public sectors. As such, it provides a unique opportunity to understand the challenges the region faces and opportunities it presents. Friendly and well organised, it’s an event I’m very much looking forward to – please come and say hello if you’re there,” Copley said.

Sponsor lineup not yet final – come on board!

Balkan Green Energy News, the organizer of SEE’s largest B2B and B2G energy conference, is launching a new round of sponsorships and partnerships.

As the forum continues to take shape, the lineup is not yet finalized. Companies participating in the Balkan energy transition or interested in contributing are invited to join as sponsors.

Important information for those interested in joining the conference is that on April 16, the ticket prices are going up. The organizer has also prepared a special offer for members of the academic community. On the conference website, you can see all the participation options.

Akuo bringing global perspective to Belgrade Energy Forum 2026

Bringing a global perspective on wind and solar development, Belgrade Energy Forum’s long-standing partner Akuo secured its place as a Silver sponsor. The French independent power producer’s renewable electricity projects include agrivoltaics and ones integrated with storage solutions.

Chief Executive Officer of Akuo Bruno Bensasson is among the most prominent speakers this year, representing the company following its acquisition by Ardian. His participation comes at a pivotal time for the company about to break ground on multiple wind, solar, and storage projects in the Western Balkans.

Legal expertise for the energy transition will be represented by CMS Belgrade

OMV Petrom, the Romanian integrated energy giant, became a Silver sponsor. It is spearheading a strategic pivot toward renewables, backed by a portfolio of wind, solar power and green hydrogen projects in the regional pipeline. Vice President of Business Development at OMV Petrom Gas & Power Narcis Popescu is speaking at the event on behalf of the company.

Legal expertise for the energy transition will be represented by CMS Belgrade, in the Silver sponsorship group. Managing Partner Radivoje Petrikić will moderate the high-level panel with energy ministers from the region.

CMS Belgrade (Petrikić & Partneri AOD in cooperation with CMS Reich-Rohrwig Hainz), is part of CMS CEE, based in Vienna. The international law firm provides critical support for complex energy transactions and regulatory compliance, drawing on its deep-rooted presence in the Serbian and regional markets.

Insight into biggest battery storage facility in Western Balkans

YESS Power enters within the Silver category as well, to showcase its work in energy storage. The energy storage brand of Topkapı Endüstri recently completed the largest energy storage installation in the Western Balkans, in North Macedonia. The parent company’s General Manager Sedat Akar will hold a presentation about the FEC Novaci 60 MWh hybrid BESS endeavor, integrated with a PV plant.

Having more than 40 years of engineering experience in the energy sector, YESS Power provides advanced battery energy storage systems across the region.

Representing the demand side of the transition, the Association of Serbian Energy Intensive Industry (ASEII) retained its Silver sponsor role. The group serves as a vital bridge for the country’s major industrial consumers as they navigate the shift toward green electricity procurement and carbon reduction.

Chairman of ASEII and President of Metalfer Group Branko Zečević is participating in a panel on decarbonization strategies of energy-intensive industries.

Virtual Global Trading’s cloud SaaS exemplifies digitalization’s pivotal role in energy transition

Switzerland-based Virtual Global Trading (VGT) will showcase its prowess in digitalization, one of the main drivers of the energy transition. The firm, joining BEF 2026 for the first time, as a Technology sponsor, offers a cloud-based software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform. It helps producers, consumers, utilities and grid operators manage flexibility and optimize complex energy portfolios in real time.

The platform connects and controls energy assets end to end, from device integration to automated market participation.

“We are proud to support the Belgrade Energy Forum 2026 and look forward to strong discussions and new partnerships in Southeast Europe. Let’s accelerate the energy future together,” said VGT’s Co-founder Gregor Martinović. He will hold a presentation called Unlocking Energy Market Revenue with Behind-the-Meter Optimization.

PwC SEE’s Mislav Slade-Šilović contributing to Belgrade Energy Forum for fourth time

PwC SEE participates as a Knowledge partner, offering a wealth of advisory experience. Its specialists are widely recognized for delivering strategy, transformation, technology, mergers and acquisitions (M&A), regulatory and policy services across both the public and private sectors.

Mislav Slade-Šilović will share his insights on the global and regional energy trends and geopolitical reality

PwC SEE Energy Consulting Leader Mislav Slade-Šilović is taking part in the conference for the fourth year in a row. Contributing as a keynote speaker, he will share his insights on the global and regional energy trends and geopolitical reality.

“BEF is an amazing platform which gathers key energy stakeholders and decision makers in SEE and enables dialogue, knowledge sharing, alignment and new trusted relationships – all essential for regional collaboration and progress. The energy transition process is not confined by political boundaries; rather, it relies on collective, coordinated efforts and synergies. I am inviting all national energy and infrastructure stakeholders to be bold, forward looking and ready to initiate required changes ahead of time,” Slade-Šilović stated.