Event
CEER Secretariat premises, Cours Saint-Michel 30a, 1040 Brussels
20.05.2026
14:00 - 17:30

Consumer Focus Event 2026

The Consumer Focus Event 2026 will take place on Wednesday, 20 May 2026, at the CEER Offices in Brussels and online.

This year’s conference, titled “Fostering Consumer Engagement: Transparency, Trust and Information,” will explore how energy markets can better support and empower consumers across Europe.

The event will touch on topics such as developments in retail energy markets and consumer rights, the importance of clear and accessible information for consumers, and practical perspectives from national regulatory authorities.

The Consumer Focus Event 2026 will bring together experts and stakeholders from across the energy sector to exchange views on current challenges and opportunities for consumers in Europe’s evolving energy markets.

Programme

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Documents
25.03.2026

Agenda

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Programme

14:00 - 14:10

Opening Remarks

Promoting efficient retail markets and protecting consumers in a climate of crisis with improved access to information.

Speakers

Annegret Groebel

Annegret Groebel

President, CEER
Biography
Annegret Groebel
President, CEER

Dr Annegret Groebel is Director of International Relations at the German Regulatory Authority for Electricity, Gas, Telecommunications, Post and Railway (BNetzA). Dr Groebel has worked for BNetzA since 1998. She has been CEER President since January 2019 and was a Vice President of CEER since 2012. She also has chaired the CEER Market Integrity and Transparency (MIT) Working Group since 2013. She is a member of the Board of Regulators of the Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER). Dr Groebel has a Doctorate in Economics from the University of Mannheim. She is also involved in the work of the Independent Regulators Group (IRG) and the Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC).

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14:10 - 14:20

Keynote Speech

Speakers

Alejandro Ulzurrun

Alejandro Ulzurrun

Head of Unit B1, DG ENER, European Commission
Biography
Alejandro Ulzurrun
Head of Unit B1, DG ENER, European Commission

Alejandro Ulzurrun is the head of the Consumers, Local Initiatives, Just Transition unit in the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Energy, where he has previously been in charge of the Energy Security and Safety unit and the Inter-institutional Relations and Communication unit. He joined the European Commission in 1997, holding different responsibilities in several of its departments (Enterprise, Communication, External Relations) and its Secretariat-General. Between 2010 and 2014, he was head of unit in the Commission’s Spokesperson’s Service.

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14:20 - 15:15

Session I: Panel Discussion – Information: Affordability, Flexibility & Consumer Awareness

Building on the keynote address, the current context of the retail market, consumer rights and regulatory initiatives to improve market functioning and consumer awareness. Experiences across Europe of retail market and consumer protection governance frameworks. Insights from the Citizens Energy Package Communication.

Speakers

Frederico Oliveira da Silva

Frederico Oliveira da Silva

Head of Energy, BEUC
Irene Iacovides

Irene Iacovides

Director for Retail and Consumer Markets Regulation, RAAEY
Massimo Serpieri

Massimo Serpieri

Team leader of Consumers issues, Unit B1 (Consumers, Local Initiatives and Just Transition Unit) DG ENER, European Commission
Natalie McCoy

Natalie McCoy

Co-Chair of the Customers and Retail Market Working Group, CEER
Biography
Natalie McCoy
Co-Chair of the Customers and Retail Market Working Group, CEER

Ms McCoy joined Portugal’s Energy Services Regulatory Authority (ERSE) in 2016 to lead its international relations. Prior to ERSE, she served as Secretary General of the Council of European Energy Regulators (CEER) between 2011 and 2015.

In addition to her responsibilities at ERSE, Natalie co-chairs the CEER Customers and Retail Markets Working Group, following three years as vice chair. She also co-chairs the Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER) Retail Working Group, established in 2021.

Ms McCoy has more than fifteen years’ experience in energy regulation, focusing on customer rights, regulatory governance and electricity and gas market design. With an academic background in political science and EU affairs, she worked at the European Parliament prior to moving into energy regulation.

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15:30 - 16:10

Session II: Interview – Trust: Distance Selling

Interactive interview showcasing the national experience of distance selling and insights gained by the Florence School of Regulation through their recent research on consumer protection policies across Europe.

Speakers

Javier Rincón

Javier Rincón

Distance selling experience in Spain, CNMC
Lucila De Almeida

Lucila De Almeida

Professor at the European University, FSR
Raphael Hanoteaux

Raphael Hanoteaux

Deputy Secretary General, CEER
Biography
Raphael Hanoteaux
Deputy Secretary General, CEER

Raphael joined CEER in April 2025 as Deputy Secretary General. He brings substantial experience in European energy policy, having spent four years as a Senior Policy Advisor at E3G. Prior to that, he worked on the climate aspects of the EU budget at CEE Bankwatch Network, following two years at ENGIE. He holds a Master’s degree in European Interdisciplinary Studies from the College of Europe and a Master’s in European Affairs from Sciences Po Lille, where he specialised in energy policy and the European Neighbourhood Policy.

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16:10 - 17:10

Session III: Panel Discussion – Transparency: Towards Improved Comparability of Energy Contracts

Market innovation brings opportunities and challenges for the comparability of an increasing variety of offers. Discussions on ways to promote transparency, clarity and consistency in an evolving sector. Improving existing comparison tools. Strong regulatory oversight, responsible retail relationships and informed consumers.

Speakers

Bram Claeys

Bram Claeys

Secretary General, CEER
Biography
Bram Claeys
Secretary General, CEER

Bram Claeys brings more than two decades of senior-level experience in energy policy and regulation at national, European and international levels. Before joining CEER, Mr Claeys served as Principal at the Regulatory Assistance Project, where he advised on long-term energy system planning, electricity market design and grid governance. He previously held senior roles including Director General of the Organisation for Sustainable Energy, Deputy Director at the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources, and Energy Policy Advisor to the Flemish Minister for Energy. Mr Claeys holds a Master of Science in Organic Chemistry and a Master of Development Cooperation from Ghent University, as well as a Master of Environmental Science and Technology from the Vrije Universiteit Brussel.

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Helena Almeida

Helena Almeida

Co-Chair CEER Customer Empowerment and Protection WS, ERSE
Biography
Helena Almeida
Co-Chair CEER Customer Empowerment and Protection WS, ERSE

Helena Almeida has been working in the field of energy consumers at the Portuguese Energy Services Regulatory Authority for over 10 years.

She has been a member of CEER for several years and has actively contributed to various reports related to consumer protection. Since 2024, she has served as co-chair of the Customer Empowerment and Protection Working Group, where she has been exploring various issues related to consumer protection in the energy sector.

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Marie Claerbout

Marie Claerbout

Senior Manager for EU Affairs, ENGIE
Marine Cornelis

Marine Cornelis

Founder & Executive Director, Next Energy Consumer
Biography
Marine Cornelis
Founder & Executive Director, Next Energy Consumer

Marine Cornelis is behind Next Energy Consumer, an international policy consultancy at the forefront of the social aspects of energy and climate transitions. Marine is passionate about empowering people and communities as we move towards a greener, more sustainable future. She combines her expertise in consumer rights advocacy with a deep commitment to democratisation, decentralisation, digitalisation and decarbonisation of energy systems. Her work pays special attention to under-represented population segments, such as women and ethnic minorities. Through her work, she acts as a bridge between civil society, scientific communities, businesses and policymakers. Her Energ’Ethic podcast highlights the inspiring individuals driving worldwide improvement in energy and climate fronts. Her vision has earned her recognition as one of the first ambassadors of the European Climate Pact. She works in Europe, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East.

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17:10 - 17:20

Closing Remarks

Speakers

Natalie McCoy

Natalie McCoy

Co-Chair of the Customers and Retail Market Working Group, CEER
Biography
Natalie McCoy
Co-Chair of the Customers and Retail Market Working Group, CEER

Ms McCoy joined Portugal’s Energy Services Regulatory Authority (ERSE) in 2016 to lead its international relations. Prior to ERSE, she served as Secretary General of the Council of European Energy Regulators (CEER) between 2011 and 2015.

In addition to her responsibilities at ERSE, Natalie co-chairs the CEER Customers and Retail Markets Working Group, following three years as vice chair. She also co-chairs the Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER) Retail Working Group, established in 2021.

Ms McCoy has more than fifteen years’ experience in energy regulation, focusing on customer rights, regulatory governance and electricity and gas market design. With an academic background in political science and EU affairs, she worked at the European Parliament prior to moving into energy regulation.

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17:30 - 18:30

Networking