31 January - 1 February 2024 | Novotel London West, Hammersmith, London UK    #SFIEurope

Days
Hours
Minutes

2023 Agenda

08:00
  -  
09:00
Networking
09:00
  -  
09:10
Presentation

Speakers

Head of Event Content,
Solar Media
Principal,
Emanate Capital
09:10
  -  
09:50
Keynote Panel Discussion
  • How can the renewables industry rise to meet demand for energy and REPower EU targets?
  • How will the cost of raw materials and their availability affect the economics of solar and storage moving forward?
  • Which key raw materials might be subject to shortages?
  • Will limits on the global supply chain put the march to net zero at risk?
  • What investors and governments could do next to ensure a stable transition

Moderated By

Managing Director, Project Finance,
ABN AMRO Bank N.V.

Speakers

Managing Partner / CEO,
Glennmont Partners
Chief Investment Officer,
Aquila Clean Energy EMEA
CFO,
Sonnedix
Head of the Power Sector Unit for the World Energy Outlook (WEO),
International Energy Agency (IEA)
Managing Partner & CIO,
NextEnergy Capital
09:50
  -  
10:10
Keynote Presentation
  • Energy crisis speeds up investment decisions
  • Besides renewables also fossil and nuclear power in the spotlight
  • Re-assessment of investment criteria in a changed environment
  • It is scaling up: Solar, wind and hydrogen based imports to Europe

Speakers

Chief Technology Officer,
Smartenergy
10:10
  -  
10:50
Keynote Panel Discussion
  • Energy market reform how will the uncoupling of gas and power prices affect returns?
  • RTB – COD: increasing construction risk of solar PV due to procurement squeeze, longer lead items and labour issues
  • Interest rates increase: bond yield vs infrastructure projects yield
  • Inflation impact in the short and long term

Moderated By

Senior Director,
Jones Lang LaSalle

Speakers

Structured Finance Director,
Lightsource bp
Chief Development Officer, Europe,
Brookfield Renewable Power
Head of Energy EMEA,
ING Bank NV
10:50
  -  
11:10
Keynote Presentation

Speakers

EVP of Europe,
Statkraft
11:10
  -  
11:40
Networking

Track A

Track B

Track C

11:40
  -  
12:20
Panel Discussion
  • We have seen exciting advances in solar technology over recent years but how are investors keeping up and ensuring the right products are selected for projects?
  • When it comes to improvements, what are investors looking for?
  • How is CAPEX expected to change - have we passed the era of downward cost curves?
  • How are manufacturers building up supply chain?

Moderated By

Managing Director,
Quintas Energy

Speakers

Chief Growth Officer,
NovaSource Power Services
Head of Technical Service & Product Management,
JinkoSolar EU
Technical Director,
Obton
11:40
  -  
12:20
Panel Discussion
  • The EU has released emergency regulations to accelerate renewables, what will these entail?
  • How are networks responding and aiding growth in renewables?
  • What would an efficient permitting timeline look like?

Moderated By

President,
Apren

Speakers

Partner, Energy,
Foot Anstey
Founder and Co-Director,
Wychwood Biodiversity Ltd.
VP, Public Affairs, European Wind and Solar,
Statkraft
11:40
  -  
12:40
Roundtables

This session will begin with a quick-fire presentation which will be delivered by Bloomberg. It will cover the landscape and context for M&A and partnerships in 2023.

The audience will then split into smaller round table discussion groups where investors and developers can discuss business 1-2-1. Each round table will be hosted by an investor and developers will move around the room.

Tickets only available to developers & investors.

Moderated By

Senior Analyst,
Bloomberg NEF

Speakers

Managing Director – Renewables,
Ardian
Managing Director,
Low Carbon
Head of Infrastructure Debt & Project Finance,
NN Investment Partners
Senior Director,
DIF Capital Partners
Core Infrastructure, Poland Head of Origination & Asset Management,
Abrdn
Renewables Sector Head, EMEA,
Macquarie Asset Management
Chief Investment Officer,
NTR plc
CIO,
Blue Elephant Energy
Managing Director,
Claritas Investments
12:20
  -  
13:00
Panel Discussion
  • What is the long-term outlook for power prices in Europe?
  • Who is benefitting the most from the current high prices? (as of August 2022)
  • How do utilities and traders’ price PPAs?
  • How are corporate PPAs typically priced?
  • Utility PPAs vs Corporate PPAs: key differences

Moderated By

Global Co-Chair, ENR and Int. Head SESG,
DLA Piper

Speakers

Director of Corporate Power Purchase Agreements,
SSE Renewables
Senior Originator,
Axpo Germany
Chief Investment Officer,
NTR plc
CEO and founder,
Alight
12:20
  -  
13:00
Panel Discussion
  • The UK opportunity in a 40GW+ market
  • Main market players, pipeline and completed projects
  • How are the different markets shaping up (ground mount, C&I, local authority)?
  • The storage opportunity
  • The larger-scale opportunity - Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs)
  • Myth-busting

Moderated By

CEO,
Solar Energy UK

Speakers

Head of Solar,
EDF Renewables UK
Head of Review of Electricity Market Arrangements,
BEIS
Managing Director,
Hive Energy
Chief Adviser, Renewable Energy and Climate Change,
National Farmers' Union
Managing Director,
Bluefield Development

 

13:00
  -  
14:30
Networking

Track A

Track B

Track C

14:30
  -  
15:10
Panel Discussion
  • Are asset owners ready for a merchant world?
  • The PPA/Merchant split
  • Pros and cons of different approaches
  • Actively managing revenue of a portfolio
  • The additional role storage can play in revenue generation
  • Other sources of revenue to consider

Moderated By

Deputy Editor,
Solar Media

Speakers

Head of Nordic Origination,
Centrica
Managing Director,
Squeaky Clean Energy Limited
Chief Investment Officer,
GRIDSERVE
14:30
  -  
15:10
Panel Discussion

With the Romanian government expected to host auctions for solar in 2023, this panel will examine the market opportunity, reality of doing business in Romania, offtake market and the infrastructure in place to drive the market forward.

Moderated By

Senior Conference Producer,
Solar Media

Speakers

Chief Financial Officer,
Rezolv Energy
Senior Banker, Energy Europe, Sustainable Infrastructure Group ,
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)
Head of International Project Development ,
Gransolar
14:30
  -  
15:15
Roundtables
  • What tactics are developers using to ensure supply?
  • Are ESG requirements having an impact on projects?
  • How much local supply needs to be built to secure a European supply chain?
  • Will production in other regions such as expand?
  • How to achieve more sustainable supply with solar projects?

Moderated By

Head of Event Content,
Solar Media

Speakers

Founding Partner,
Everwood Capital
Head of Project Execution & Operation,
Private Energy Partners
Procurement Director E&I EMEA,
Aquila Capital
15:10
  -  
16:10
Panel Discussion
  • What does the pipeline of projects in Poland look like?
  • Which regions are attractive?
  • With a 47% year-on-year increase, what happened to the Polish PPA market in 2022?
  • How is the grid working to accommodate new development?
  • Which investors have appetite for Poland and what are their return expectations?

Moderated By

Partner,
Augusta & Co

Speakers

Board Advisor,
Polish Energy Storage Association
Managing Director, Head of Global Debt Financing Poland,
Santander Bank Polska S.A.
Senior Vice President Asset Management and Financing,
R.Power
Partner,
Dentons
Core Infrastructure, Poland Head of Origination & Asset Management,
Abrdn
Projects and Investments Director,
Kajima Partnerships Limited
15:10
  -  
16:00
Panel Discussion
  • The EU has a 40GW target by 2030, what part of that will be solar-powered?
  • How has the European solar-powered green hydrogen market grown in 2022?
  • Green hydrogen from the perspective of an offtaker
  • Lender and investor perspectives

Moderated By

Co-Founder and CEO,
Ikigai Capital

Speakers

Senior Vice President,
Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners
Manager,
Frontier Economics' Energy Practice
Partner,
Burges Salmon LLP
15:15
  -  
16:00
Roundtables
  • These round tables will seat up to 8-attendees and each will have a moderator
  • This will give you a chance to explore different countries and regions covered elsewhere in the agenda
  • Round tables will focus on the following countries:
    • United Kingdom
    • Republic of Ireland
    • Greece
    • Spain
    • Portugal
    • Italy
    • Romania
    • Poland
    • France
    • Denmark
    • Sweden

16:00
  -  
16:40
Networking
16:40
  -  
17:00
Keynote Presentation

Kate Raworth's book, Doughnut Economics, sees the economy as a doughnut where there are upper limits to what the planet can sustain and lower limits which apply to growth and economic development. The Doughnut Economics Lab are putting these principles into action and this session will explore how corporations are evolving their business models to stay fit for the future.

Speakers

Business and Enterprise Lead,
Doughnut Economics Action Lab
17:00
  -  
17:50
Keynote Panel Discussion
  • This panel will throw the runes towards 2033 and ask: "what does the next 10-years hold?"
  • When it comes to talent, diversity and inclusion, how well-prepared is the industry for the next 10-years?
  • How quickly do we think technology manufacturing can scale up?
  • The IRA is a step change for US regulation, how might regulation in the EU and UK support change?
  • How is capital innovating - investment from large utilities and institutions
  • What’s next in revenue streams?

Moderated By

Head of Global Business Operations,
Lightsource bp

Speakers

Sales Director Utility,
LONGi Solar Technologie GmbH
Partner,
Apricum
Senior Director of Europe,
Clean Power Research
Technical Director,
Obton
Managing Partner,
Bluefield
17:50
  -  
19:00
Networking
08:30
  -  
09:00
Networking

Track D

Track E

09:00
  -  
09:20
Presentation
  • Relevant risks of your PV assets and how to quantify these risks.
  • What are hedging strategies to reduce risks?
  • Importance of a portfolio approach to risk management
  • Case study: risk management to allow new projects.

Speakers

Senior Consultant ,
KYOS
09:00
  -  
09:40
Panel Discussion
  • Policy updates and market movement
  • Solar, storage and green hydrogen
  • After the auctions - how have current economics affected projects from earlier auctions?

Moderated By

President,
Apren

Speakers

Head of Iberia for the European Infrastructure Equity Team,
ICG plc
Associate Director, Project Finance,
Rabobank
09:20
  -  
10:00
Panel Discussion

The PV industry is scaling up at breakneck speed, while political decisions can change our context overnight. Where does that leave us for large-scale solar developments which on one hand feature an extensive lead time, and on the other hand need long-term planning certainty to secure return on investment?

  • Long-term strategic partnerships
  • Priorities in ESG
  • Sustainable goals and carbon reporting
  • 2023-2024 outlook

Moderated By

Investment Fund Manager and UK Country Manager - Utilities,
Trina Solar

Speakers

Managing Director, UK,
NextEnergy Capital
Head of Project Execution & Operation,
Private Energy Partners
Director of Operations and Asset Management,
Low Carbon

 

 

09:40
  -  
10:20
Panel Discussion

August 2022 saw Europe's largest solar project being switched on in Spain and the government has a target of 75% of power from renewables by 2030 which should be met.

  • How will Spain ease dependency on gas with solar?
  • What happened to Spanish energy prices and project economics in 2022, what should we expect in 2023?
  • How are the networks contending with installations?

Moderated By

Managing Director,
Quintas Energy

Speakers

Founding Partner,
Everwood Capital
Senior Director, Energy & Infrastructure Advisory,
JLL – Jones Lang LaSalle
Managing Partner,
Alantra Solar
Principal,
PMOP Consulting
10:00
  -  
10:40
Panel Discussion

What are the most effective tools to extend the life of your assets?

Moderated By

Founder,
Hazel New Energy

Speakers

Commercial Asset Manager,
Octopus Energy Generation
Head of Asset Management,
Cero Generation
Chief Growth Officer,
NovaSource Power Services
Senior Vice President Europe,
Skyfri

 

 

10:20
  -  
11:20
Panel Discussion

This session will look at some of the up and coming markets in Europe for solar, featuring active developers and investors in the Balkans, the Baltics and the Nordics.

Moderated By

Section Editor,
Solar Media / PV Tech

Speakers

Founder and CEO,
HEC Solar LTD., Bulgaria
Director, Country Lead Sweden ,
Infranode
Chief Investment Officer,
Nordic Solar
Managing Director, NextPower III,
NextEnergy Capital
Chief Financial Officer,
Sunly
Chief Investment Officer,
Better Energy A/S
10:40
  -  
11:10
Panel Discussion

In Europe, there are approximately 20 GW of PV plants larger than 1 MW which were built more than 10 years ago. How can asset owners optimise these assets?

Moderated By

Head of Asset and Portfolio Management,
Amberside Energy

Speakers

Managing Director,
BNZ
Senior Asset Manager,
RES
Head of Alpha Team,
WiseEnergy

 

11:00
  -  
11:30
Networking

Track D

Track E

11:30
  -  
12:10
Panel Discussion

As we see a rise in collocated solar and storage, questions still remain. Although the speed and ease of installing a battery storage project to capture excess solar energy is unrivalled, companies need to understand how to:

  • Model the benefits of a co-located model for developers and IPPs
  • Source finance at the right cost
  • What is the most effective ownership model for the solar project and the battery?
  • Secure multiple routes to market
  • Select the right battery!

Moderated By

Partner, Energy & Climate Change,
CMS UK

Speakers

Head of Energy Storage Team UK,
ib vogt Ltd
Head of Energy Storage,
Cero Generation
Director, BlackRock Infrastructure,
BlackRock

 

 

11:50
  -  
12:20
Presentation

The French Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE) announced the fast-tracking of 2.7 GW of solar energy as well as other renewables with a CfD mechanism. It is expected that by 2025, around 10% of of the country's power could come from solar with an estimated 37GW installed. More recently, the government also announced that all large carparks should include solar panels within the next 5-years. This alone could yield up to 11 GW of solar opportunity. Under consideration are additional plans to make use of brownfield land for solar projects alongside motorways and railways as well as an increase in Agrivoltaics.

Moderated By

Chief Executive Officer,
kiloWattsol SAS
12:10
  -  
13:00
Panel Discussion

538.4 MW of renewables capacity was awarded in the recent Greek tender and the country will continue to hold tenders throughout 2023. Whilst lower than the 1 GW of renewables targeted by the country’s regulator, RAE, the figure represents 372 MW of solar PV at an average price of Euros 47.98/MWh. This panel will investigate this tender, as well as upcoming auctions and the proposed Euros 340 million grid-scale storage plan which should represent 900 MW or storage capacity. 

Moderated By

CIO,
National Energy

Speakers

General Manager,
Greencells Greece
Key Account Sales Manager,
LONGi Solar
Managing Director for Greece ,
Hive Energy
Policy Advisor,
HELAPCO - Hellenic Association of PV Companies
Managing Partner,
WATTCROP
12:20
  -  
13:00
Panel Discussion

Eco-design and energy labelling regulations may be required by the EU. What will they mean for project design and how will companies ensure compliance?

Moderated By

Head of Real Assets,
Principles for Responsible Investment

Speakers

Partner, Energy Law,
Ernst & Young LLP
Senior Analyst ,
Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners
Director of Policy and Delivery,
Solar Energy UK
Senior Manager, Green Analytics,
Green Investment Group
13:00
  -  
14:00
Networking

Track D

Track E

14:00
  -  
14:40
Panel Discussion

Rooftop portfolios have become more attractive to institutional investors but there is a long way to go before it reaches its true potential. With both investors and corporate offtakers showing increasing interest in this space, what can we do to make investments more attractive and how can debt providers innovate to enable growth?

Moderated By

COO,
Solivus

Speakers

Partner,
EY
Head of Sales, Technology Finance, Green and Healthcare,
Societe Generale Equipment Finance (SGEF)
Investment Director,
Triple Point
Partner,
Our New Energy
Head of Legal ,
Eden Sustainable Group
Head of Project Finance,
Triodos Bank UK
14:00
  -  
14:40
Panel Discussion

Moderated By

Partner,
MBS Consulting SpA

Speakers

Head of M&A and Evaluation,
Falck Renewables
Global Head of Energy,
Intesa Sanpaolo
Chief Financial Officer,
Solar Ventures
CEO & Founder,
Innovo Group
14:40
  -  
15:20
Panel Discussion
  • CAPEX and power prices went up in 2022, what does this mean for project economics moving forward?
  • How might power prices pan out across Europe - what has winter 2022 shown us?
  • Where can asset owners spend to boost yield and what's not worth it?
  • How have current economics affected projects planned under different scenarios?

Moderated By

Managing Partner,
WATTCROP

Speakers

Founder,
Critical Minerals Associations UK & Australia
Head of Development,
Cubico
CIO,
Blue Elephant Energy
Chief Financial Officer,
Solar Ventures
14:40
  -  
15:20
Panel Discussion

2022 has been a great year for Irish solar. Projects started to gain grid connections and the country is set to see over 400 MW of projects which won the first auction (RESS 1) completed in 2023 with more to come from the second auction (RESS 2) in 2024. Almost 5 GW of projects have planning permission which should make the national target of 5.5 GW by 2030 very achievable and the expectation is that a third auction will take place in 2023. This session will offer a snapshot of the Irish market and provide clarity on some of the market challenges.

Moderated By

CEO,
Irish Solar Association

Speakers

Policy Officer,
Irish Solar Association (ISEA)
Head of Origination, Project Finance,
Bank of Ireland
Managing Director, Ireland,
Neoen
15:20
  -  
16:00
Networking
16:00
  -  
17:00
Panel Discussion
  • The end of cheap money?
  • Longer term facilities Vs. project-to-project structures
  • Bridging loans and development finance
  • Banks' appetite for risk
  • PPA Vs merchant
  • Risks facing the industry in 2023
  • Reasons to be cheerful

Moderated By

Partner,
Cameron Barney

Speakers

Investment Director,
Thrive Renewables
MD, Head of Energy,
Edmond de Rothschild
Head of Infrastructure & Energy,
BERENBERG
Director of Project Finance,
Sonnedix
Director, Project Finance Renewable Energy,
Rabobank
17:00
  -  
17:00
Networking

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