Madrid, 22 November 2018: EDP Renewables (Euronext: EDPR), a global leader in the renewable energy sector and one of the world’s largest wind energy producers, has hosted the second edition of #energytalks in Madrid.



The gathering, designed to foster debate and the exchange of ideas in the renewable energy field, brought together representatives from the principal players in the sector. Over the course of the day, participants laid the foundations for the battle against climate change through a solid commitment to sustainable innovation and clean energy sources.



#energytalks 2018 was opened by Cristina Gallach, High Commissioner for Spain’s 2030 Agenda, who delivered a speech entitled The Environmental Transition and the Objectives of Sustainable Development. She was followed at the podium by Vestas CEO and Chairman Anders Runevad, who offered his vision on Innovation for the Energy of the Future. Arancha Díaz-Lladó, Director of Sustainable Innovation at Telefónica, also looked to the future in her presentation Sustainable Solutions for the 21st Century.



Next were Cristina Monge, Director of Conversations at Ecodes, who discussed the power of cooperation in her speech entitled Energy for Everyone and Luis Never, Chairman of the Global e-Sustainability Initiative (GeSI), who offered his presentation under the banner The Fight for the Environment and Technological Disruption. Ahead of the debate, Javier Sobrini, Global Head Power & Energy Infrastructure at Banco Santander, delivered a speech on The Challenge of Financing the Energy Transition.



EDP Renewables CEO João Manso-Neto and journalist Jacob Petrus then took to the stage.



Manso Neto, CEO of EDP Renewables, said: “Given the urgency in reaching zero emissions by 2050, existing technologies are going to play a crucial role. Although we should remain committed to investing in innovation, we cannot afford to wait while other technologies to fight climate change are perfected; we need to harness existing technologies and invest in their development and optimisation. Wind power (onshore and offshore and both traditional and floating) and solar PV are sufficiently mature and competitive and can therefore act as the driver of the energy transition".



“Renewables are certainly going to grow over the coming years. Renewable power generation has traditionally faced two obstacles: price and the lack of visibility as regards generation, problems which have either been resolved or are being addressed. However, in order to ensure efficient growth at the lowest possible cost for the consumer, visibility and predictability are required. Visibility over future returns is needed through long-term remuneration models – rather than subsidies – that can provide revenue forecasts to minimise the associated financial costs for investors. Regulatory predictability is required through a stable and secure framework for investors,” added Manso Neto.



Joan Groizard, Director of the Renewables Area at the Institute for the Diversification and Saving of Energy (IDEA), closed the proceedings with his presentation: Digital Revolution and Renewable Energy: How to Build a New Energy Model.