From October 15-17, CISOLAR & GREENBATTERY 2024 brought together over 1,650 participants, including clean energy professionals, policymakers, and business leaders, at Bucharest’s Laminor Arena and Grand Hotel Bucharest. The premier Solar Energy & Energy Storage Expo & Conference for emerging European markets and the largest professional event in Southeastern Europe highlighted Romania’s and wider Central and Eastern Europe’s transition to renewable energy, offering insights into market trends, policy developments, and innovations that are reshaping the region’s energy landscape.
CISOLAR & GREEN BATTERY 2024 reflected the growing need for clean energy solutions in Central and Eastern Europe, regions where renewable energy is gaining traction but also facing regulatory and financial challenges. “Southeast Europe’s renewable energy and new energy solutions landscape is incredibly dynamic, with immense potential for growth, energy security, and environmental resilience,” explained Julia Daviy Berezovska, Co-Chair of CISOLAR & GREENBATTERY, Founding Director of Sustainable Innovation Council. “However, unlocking this potential requires coordinated action among governments, private companies, and communities to build a resilient, inclusive energy market that will serve the region for decades to come.”
Romanian and Eastern European Clean Energy Market Overview
The clean energy sector in Romania is on a transformative path. Romania’s renewable energy capacity has seen consistent growth over the past decade, driven primarily by solar and wind energy investments. As of 2024, Romania boasts approximately 5 GW of installed renewable capacity, with solar energy accounting for about 1.4 GW. The Romanian government’s commitment to achieving 30.7% of its energy from renewable sources by 2030, alongside the European Union’s Green Deal goals, has created fertile ground for rapid industry expansion. Industry experts predict that Romania’s solar capacity could grow to 3.5 GW by 2030, while energy storage is projected to play an increasing role in balancing the national grid.
Mauro Rivola, VP International Sales Export Director Solar PV, BESS & H2, Ingeteam, noted, “The adoption of advanced solar and battery technologies is critical for Romania’s energy independence. By bringing in scalable and sustainable solutions, we support the country’s path to clean energy while meeting the unique challenges of the region.”
Krasen Mateev, CEO of Solarpro Holding, emphasized the importance of local expertise, stating, “Our role as a regional leader enables us to provide tailored solutions that enhance project viability and address regulatory challenges unique to Eastern Europe.”
The Urgent Need for PPAs to Drive Market Expansion
A key theme at CISOLAR 2024 was the urgent need for Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) to support and de-risk renewable energy projects in Romania. Vitaliy Daviy, Co-Chair of CISOLAR & GREENBATTERY 2024 and CEO of Ibcentre, emphasized the importance of PPAs as a tool for sustainable market growth: “Romania needs PPAs as soon as possible to support renewable energy project financing. A robust PPA framework would empower developers to enter long-term commitments and mitigate financial risks, thus unlocking further growth in the renewable energy market.”
Joseph Hosni, Head of Commercial Operations RECOM TECHNOLOGIES, stated, “PPAs are essential for de-risking investments in renewable energy. Structured agreements provide the security that investors need to commit to long-term projects in emerging markets like Romania.”
Technology and Innovation on Display
The event featured 54 exhibitors showcasing breakthrough technologies in solar PV, battery storage, and smart grid management systems, underscoring the technical innovation that underpins the energy transition. Eliza Stefan, Sales Manager BESS for Central & Eastern Europe, Jinko ESS, stated, “Energy storage is crucial for the region’s stability and growth. With our advanced battery solutions, we are helping Eastern Europe make renewable energy more reliable and accessible.”
Jonas Zemaitaitis, Technical Support Team Lead, PVcase, commented on the importance of technical support in solar project development, saying, “With PVcase’s tools, developers can optimize site planning, reducing project costs and risks, which is key for the scalability of solar energy in Romania.”
Building Coalitions for Sustainable Energy Growth
A key outcome of CISOLAR & GREENBATTERY 2024 was the reinforcement of coalitions across sectors, a move critical for establishing a sustainable, equitable energy future. Bianca Dragusin, Sales Director, KENO Energy, emphasized the role of partnerships, stating, “Collaboration among stakeholders is essential to tackle the regulatory and financial challenges in Southeast Europe and to drive the renewable energy transformation forward.”
Tatiana Fiodorov, Managing Partner, Fiodorov & Partners, highlighted the need for legal support and strategic partnerships, saying, “Navigating the regulatory landscape is complex, and our firm is committed to providing the guidance needed to help renewable energy projects thrive in the region.”
Murat Tavli, CEO of TGS ENERGO, added, “Our projects demonstrate that, with the right alliances and strategic support, Southeast Europe can lead in energy innovation and achieve meaningful environmental impact.”
Insights for the Future of Energy in Southeast Europe
CISOLAR & GREENBATTERY 2024 underscored the significant strides being made toward a cleaner energy future while also highlighting the challenges that remain. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency, the Eastern European renewable energy market is expected to reach a cumulative capacity of 55 GW by 2030, requiring coordinated efforts across national borders to meet these targets.
Mateusz Mackowiak, representing AIKO, highlighted the impact of technological advancements in solar panel manufacturing, stating, “Our innovations are focused on enhancing the efficiency and durability of solar panels through cutting-edge production techniques. By improving performance at the manufacturing level, we’re helping drive down costs and make solar energy more accessible and scalable across Central and Eastern Europe.”
The success of CISOLAR & GREENBATTERY 2024 reinforces Bucharest’s role as a critical hub for clean energy discussions in Eastern Europe, bringing together a diverse set of stakeholders dedicated to accelerating the transition to a sustainable, inclusive energy future. “Each year, CISOLAR reaffirms its commitment to being a driving force in the region’s energy transition,” Berezovska concluded.
CISOLAR & GREENBATTERY 2024, Europe’s emerging markets’ leading Sustainable Energy Expo, gathered over 1,650 B2B participants, including 54 exhibitors representing mostly solar energy, energy storage, and EV infrastructure sectors. Exhibitors represented key markets, including Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania, China, the USA, Greece, Ukraine, Lithuania, Germany, Italy, Spain, Poland, Hungary, Luxemburg, and Taiwan. Known for its high concentration of solar and energy storage companies, the Expo has become the region’s top platform for lead generation and business development in the clean energy sector. With a strong focus on decision-makers, CISOLAR & GREENBATTERY is structured to maximize networking and deal-making opportunities, making it a preferred choice for companies seeking new partnerships and market insights in Southeast Europe’s rapidly evolving energy landscape.
About CISOLAR & GREENBATTERY
CISOLAR, along with the broader Sustainable Energy Forum & Expo, has built a legacy as the premier business platform and lead-generation powerhouse for global and regional players entering emerging markets. Notably, over 70% of current projects in the region can trace their origins or development to these influential platforms, underscoring their critical role in driving clean energy growth across Southeastern Europe and beyond.
Among the sponsors of CISOLAR & GREENBATTERY 2024 are industry leaders including Jinko ESS, SolarSK, Ingeteam, Esco Voltaj, RECOM, Solarpro, KENO Energy, Odeskabel, AIKO Solar, TGS, Fiodorov & Partners, PVcase, and Afenex, each playing a pivotal role in advancing the solar and energy storage sectors in the region.
About Ibcentre
The Sustainable Energy Expo: CISOLAR & GREENBATTERY 2024 is powered by Ibcentre. Ibcentre has been using business intelligence and building business and educational platforms to bridge businesses, governments, and the public sector, accelerating sustainable growth in clean tech sectors across emerging markets.
About Sustainable Innovation Council
The Sustainable Innovation Council, a California-registered NGO founded by Berkeley alumni and graduate students in San Francisco, drives transformative, planet-positive solutions to shape national policies and tackle humanity’s most pressing 21st-century challenges globally.
For more information on CISOLAR & GREENBATTERY 2024 and to stay updated on developments for next year’s event, visit www.cisolar.org.