This session will feature the Secretary of State for Energy for Portugal who will update the audience on the government's plans and next steps for the sector. After a number of solar PV auctions, an auction to include energy storage and a floating auction with results expected in the spring of 2022, what else can investors expect from the Portuguese government to enable the continued growth of the sector?

The Portuguese solar market has seen steady growth in recent years with regular auctions promoting solar PV as well as energy storage and floating solar. This session will give attendees an in-depth overview of what to expect in Portugal in 2022/23. 

The EU recently published its ‘Fit for 55’ climate plan, updating its Renewable Energy Directive to increase the overall binding target from 32% to 40% renewables in the bloc’s energy mix by 2030. More recently, the lens has been focused on energy security as well as decarbonisation. To get to where we need to be by 2030 will require a huge effort from both public and private sector and the industry will have to overcome some barriers to see deployment scale up to where it needs to be:

• Project CAPEX and supply chain – with rising cost and squeezed supply, what should we expect to see in 2022?
• Fit for 55 will require a concerted effort across the continent, which countries are now the most attractive for investors?
• How are developers acting to avoid some of the challenges we have seen in past phases of rapid build out?
• Are there any other policies the industry would like to see governments enact?

• Risks and Hazards
• Different floating systems
• PV Module compatibility analysis

• How can data be used to improve decision-making?
• Which are the main challenges on handling data and how can we solve them?
• Which are the main analytical tools being used?
• How can data be harmonized between different sites?
• How to define a base case using operational data?

• Expected returns - has the volatility in energy markets and cost increases in materials affected expected returns?
• Target technologies with growing portfolios of ground mount PV, rooftop, floating solar, solar+storage, solar+hydrogen, what are investors willing to back?
• Geographic interest- which countries will likely be the most attractive for solar in Europe?
• Joint ventures - what's the exit plan on these and how are the increasing number of JVs we are seeing shifting the market?
• Platform acquisition - is investor appetite still strong for platforms?
• Secondary markets - beyond subsidised projects, what are investors looking for now?

France’s total installed renewables capacity is projected to grow by 55% during 2021-2026, with solar accounting for over a quarter of this growth.

• France was recently the nuclear capital of the world, how is it transitioning to a net carbon zero grid?
• How much solar will France need to power its grid?

Traditionally, renewable sources have been helped in the market by an array of government subsidies, tax breaks or mandates; the idea was to help the solar market mature and then remove its stabilizers. However, a major driver in some markets is now PPAs, this session will shed light on how 

• How are projects being financed without subsidies?
• What lessons can be learnt from different markets?
• How are companies de-risking projects?
• How can developers from different markets draw lessons and opportunities?

Floating solar systems are becoming increasingly commonplace across Europe. As a tool which enables developers to build on open waters and large reservoirs, this nascent part of the industry provides an effective solution to harnessing the power of the sun and water.

• What can you learn from current developers in the market?
• What are the necessary stages in building a floating solar project?
• What are the current trends in the market?
• Technical risks and better solutions for floating applications