Energize Competitiveness

Main Conference Programme GCEF 2026 | 4:00–8:00 p.m.

4:00 p.m.

Registration

4:30 p.m.

Openings

Bernard Bauer, Executive board member of the German-Czech Chamber

Milan Šlachta, President of the German Czech Chamber, Representative of Bosch Group CZ & SK

H.E. Dr. Peter Reuss, Ambassador of Germany to the Czech Republic

4:45 p.m.

Keynote Addresses

Karel Havlíček, Minister of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic

Dr. Thomas Steffen, State Secretary, Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy

5:20 p.m.

Panel Discussion „Business Leaders“

"How can companies stay competitive in a high-energy-cost environment?"

Leaders from Czech and German industry discuss how energy supply, energy costs, infrastructure, innovation and digitalisation affect investment decisions and future competitiveness.

C-Level from Akkodis, Bosch, T-Business, Škoda Auto, Aimtec, Horváth

5:50 p.m.

Coffee break

6:15 p.m.

Keynote

"From Energy Transition to Competitive Advantage"

Claudia Viohl, CEO and Chairwoman of the Board of E.ON Czech Republic

6:45 p.m.

Panel Discussion „Grid“

"How can Czechia and Germany cooperate more closely in building a resilient cross-border grid that fully leverages the advantages of each country’s power system?"

Representatives of governments, associations, research institutes, industries and the energy sector discuss how energy policy synergies between Czechia and Germany can be created.

• Prof. Mario Ragwitz, Fraunhofer Excellence Cluster CINES

• Marian Rusko, CEO of EG.D

• Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic (NN)

• Svatopluk Vnouček, Deputy Chairman of the Board of ČEPS, a.s.

• Brigita Jeroncic, 50Hertz, Head of Communications & Policy

• Yvonne Grösch, Bundesnetzagentur, Head of a Subdivision within the Energy Department

• Dr. David Klebs, Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy

7:15 p.m.

Panel Discussion „SMRs & Fusion“

"How can Czechia and Germany join forces in technologies such as SMRs and fusion?"

• Prof. Radomír Pánek, President of the Czech Academy of Science

• Jaroslav Lahoda, Managing Director, Siemens Energy, s.r.o.

• Prof. Dr. Hartmut Zohm, Max Planck Institute of Plasma Physics (IPP)

• Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy (NN)

• Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic (NN)

7:50 p.m

Wrap-up & End of GCEF 2026

8:00 p.m.

Dinner buffet & Networking