REYKJAVIK: NOMINATION FOR FSI ENERGY SEMINAR PE228

UNCLAS REYKJAVIK 000037

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EUR/NB, EEB/ESC/IEC/ENR JOEL KOPP
ALSO FOR HR/CDA/ML PINESS
FSI FOR SPAS/ECON LISA FOX
COPENHAGEN FOR ESTH HUB

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ENRG SENV APER ABUD IC
SUBJECT: REYKJAVIK: NOMINATION FOR FSI ENERGY SEMINAR PE228

REF: STATE 12018


1. Iceland is a key player in renewable energy, especially in the
field of geothermal power. The Icelandic Government is
incorporating this expertise more and more into its foreign policy
and Icelandic energy companies are investing overseas, including in
the U.S. Post nominates Economic and Commercial Officer Fiona Evans
for the FSI Energy Seminar PE 228 on April 21 - 22, 2008.


2. Nominee info: Candidate is the Chief of Post's one-officer,
two-FSN Economic and Commercial Section, which has sole
responsibility for energy affairs.

Contact information: Fiona Evans, evansfs@state.gov, Tel:
+354-562-9100 x2295 or IVG 682-0000 x2295, Fax: +354-562-9139.

Travel plans: Tentative plans are for arrival o/a 20 April,
consultations in Washington 23-24 April, and return to post o/a 25
April.


3. Justification:

Country conditions: With nearly one hundred percent of domestic
electricity and home heating provided by geothermal and hydro power,
Iceland is marketing its renewable energy experience around the
world and is using its clean, green name to increase the country's
international visibility. The President is personally vested in
bringing Iceland to the international forefront and regularly meets
with USG officials on energy issues. He is encouraging Icelandic
direct investment in U.S. geothermal development as well as joint
investment in third countries. Iceland's public and private sectors
are working to create four academic programs in Iceland related to
clean energy and are seeking U.S. cooperation in development and
participation. There is already significant bilateral science
cooperation in key energy-related fields. That said, Iceland's
transportation sector is still highly dependent upon fossil fuels.

Value to candidate: As Post's lead officer for energy issues,
nominee advises Ambassador and DCM directly on the course of U.S.
energy policy towards Iceland. In day-to-day affairs, Ms. Evans
conducts dialogue with government and government owned energy
producers, reports on renewable energy development and related
innovations, and seeks avenues of bilateral cooperation in renewable
energy research. She would benefit from a further grounding in U.S.
energy policy and global energy markets to increase her
effectiveness in finding viable solutions to energy security issues.
For the U.S. and Iceland to best leverage Iceland's potential in
energy security and climate change, Post needs in-house expertise on
the mechanisms and limitations of energy infrastructure and markets.
This seminar would demonstrably help to build that expertise.


van Voorst