The Bordeaux Energy Colloquium was created to bring together the voices of various industry constituents to engage in a series of dialogues regarding the deregulated marketplace. Hosted annually, the Colloquium addresses the current issues and obstacles facing the creation of competitive energy markets. Structured around the benefits of trans-Atlantic exchange, invitations are sent to high-level representatives of each sector involved in deregulating the energy market including utilities, grid operators, generators, industrials, financers, regulators, legal experts and environmental specialists.

Set in Cap Ferret, in the south of France, the colloquium's is formatted as an informal rustic retreat. This is an invitation only event, limited to 30 participants, selected from the top thought leaders in energy deregulation from both the US and Europe. Participants have referred to the Colloquium as the "anti-conference" in that the heart of the colloquium's structure is the privacy of a long weekend of provocative panel discussions, embedded in the relaxing atmosphere of France's finest wines and cuisine.

In essence the Bordeaux Energy Colloquium was created in the spirit of "action research", where industry experts can step back from day to day issues and focus on the changing dynamics of the deregulating energy market place. The Colloquium's format deliberately maintains a small setting of select participants representing each sector involved in deregulating the energy market including utilities, grid operators, generators, industrials, financers, regulators, legal experts and environmental

What People are saying about the Bordeaux Energy Colloquium…

"Frank inputs from concerned market players coupled with an informal and stimulating atmosphere, focused the dialog on real issues and concrete solutions."
Michael Peevey, President, California Public Utilities Commission

"Sharing experiences about advancing competitive energy markets in both the UK and California, revealed new insights about criticality of policy design and more importantly its implementation."
John Baker, Former CEO, National Power

"The informal context and inspiring setting helped our small group of selective participants engage in a more thorough and transparent analysis of both the problems and their potential solutions."
Steven Baum, CEO, Sempra Corp

"Insight about and understanding of the global events affecting electricity markets is becoming far more important then it was under the ancient regime. The Bordeaux Energy Colloquium is a unique and stellar event that brings together energy leaders who would not ordinarily bridge the gap of the Atlantic Ocean."
Ken Malloy, CEO CAEM, Center for the Advancement of Energy Markets

"Financial markets have been cautious about energy investments due to the perceived uncertainty about regulatory risk. The colloquium provided a unique opportunity to be on the inside of the debates and inspired renewed interest in the forward direction of a competitive energy market."
Piers Hedley, President, NWCM Financing

"The challenge of regional policy making has increased in light of the highly interdependent nature of the grid and the overlapping regulatory authorities. The Bordeaux Colloquium provided a setting and format that distilled complex issues into a few key crucial elements we need to focus on, in order to ensure competitive energy markets work."
Gil C. Quiniones, Senior Vice President, New York City Economic Development Corporation