Investments in renewable energy production capacity must be made in a different way than in the past because this time companies can no longer rely on globalization for access to resources and equipment.

“In the first wave of renewables, we were all buying from China and we were all looking for the lowest prices. Now we are facing a big challenge because we live in a different world where we can no longer rely on globalization. We live in a world where some blocks have been created and everyone thinks first of all about themselves”, said Gianluca Boccanera, Managing Director Italy, NextEnergy Capital, at the conference “More renewables for Romania”, organized by Energynomics.

The company entered Romania in July 2022 and has three projects under development. At the same time, NextEnergy is also trying to enter the niche battery business, which tends to become a core activity of the Italian group.

According to Boccanera, the company discovered that sourcing components from China means more than pollution, given that solar equipment is produced using energy generated by burning coal. There are also situations when producers use forced labor.

“We want to introduce a change because we are responsible investors and we believe that now we have to do things differently. The ESG component – ​​Environment, Social, Governance – is essential for us,” added Boccanera.

The company was founded in 2007 and is active in eight states where it has projects totaling 3.3 billion euros.

The conference “More renewables for Romania” was organized by Energynomics with the support of our partners among which ABB, ACE Industrial Software, BCR, Consolight, Eaton Electric, Elektra Renewable Support, EnergoPower, European Energy, Finder, Geminox, Huawei, ING Bank, LAPP Romania, Marsh & McLennan Companies, Phoenix Contact, Photomate, Prime Batteries Technology, REI Grup, Renomia-Gallagher, Valmont, Volt, Wiren România, Wise Finance Solutions.