You have been in the renewable energy sector for 30 years. How have you seen the European landscape evolve, and how would you characterise this current phase?
In the past, we had to prove that renewable energy was crucial for the energy transition. But now, we know that renewable energy is the fastest and most affordable way to build the capacity Europe needs to meet growing demands, and I see a very positive future.
With the new European Infrastructure Plan and the clear actions being set by the European Union, we know what needs to be done: firstly, continue to ease the permitting process; and secondly remove barriers for electrification in industry to ensure access to the cheapest electricity and promote the integration of renewable energy.
Currently, more than 20% of Europe’s generation comes from wind. Germany is doing an excellent job, permitting seven times more than it did five years ago. The rest of Europe could likely follow suit with the EU’s permitting rules. One challenge is the grid; we need more investment in building and enhancing the system, as it will enable more renewable energy projects to come online. Another key challenge is to filter out zombie projects from grid connection queues because they are clogging up the system.
How can national governments enhance their support mechanisms for renewable energy companies?
We need certainty about the number of installations each year. This means designing renewable energy options with double-sided Contracts for Differences (CFDs) to ensure we secure the cheapest off-take for renewable energy while maintaining a stable number of gigawatts installed annually. This stability will be key to driving consistent progress in renewable energy development.
The number of power purchase agreements (PPAs) and take-off agreements being signed in Europe is growing year on year, and it will only become more important in the future. However, in Europe, there is a need to reform the law to allow industries to sign off-track agreements with certifications in origin, regardless of the installation’s location. Currently, in some countries, installations must be within a specific distance - 2km from the facility, for example – which needs to change. Some areas are ideal for wind energy, but that is not the case everywhere, and these legal barriers need to be addressed.
What battery storage solutions is RES investing in to ensure energy resilience?
As more renewable energy like wind and solar come online, battery storage and grid modernisation are critical to maintaining reliability, flexibility, and resilience.
We have been developing battery storage since 2014, when we installed a project called Top Gun, which is now being decommissioned as we repower the site. Currently, we have a huge pipeline of around 10 to 12 gigawatts of battery storage under development in various countries. Our engineers have developed our own energy management system, allowing us to integrate battery storage with wind and solar energy, creating good synergy with the grid. Battery storage is essential, but all forms of renewable energy will play a role, with storage facilitating the integration of more renewable energy into the grid.
What key issues need to be addressed to advance the renewable industry?
It is about digitalization. One issue in our industry is that less than 4-5% of the data coming from energy assets is being used to optimize operations. However, the industry is still in the data collection phase, and we need more collaboration to gain access to valuable data to leverage AI and machine learning effectively. Without large amounts of data, we cannot optimize systems through these advanced technologies.
Last year, RES created a business unit focused on digital solutions. Our goal is to gather real-time, high-frequency data from assets, organize it, and apply engineering solutions to improve the operation and efficiency of those assets.
What emerging renewable energy hubs are worth keeping an eye on in the coming years?
Green hydrogen in Sweden is one area we are focused on. We are building a green hydrogen project in Alby, using excess energy from wind farms to produce green hydrogen to produce sustainable aviation fuel. This project is also revitalizing a previously industrial area, bringing jobs and young people back.
Additionally, Canada and Australia offer interesting case studies, particularly in terms of working with First Nations in renewable energy projects. RES has excellent examples of social license, especially in these countries, where we involve local communities in the development process, creating jobs and long-term economic and social value.
How is RES strategizing to remain a market leader in renewable energy in the next five years?
Our strategy reflects the scale and experience we have built as a long-standing, independent renewable energy company. With operations in 24 countries and activity across all major renewable technologies—wind, solar, energy storage, green hydrogen, and grid infrastructure—we take a full-lifecycle approach to renewable energy projects. That means we are involved from early-stage development right through to construction, operations, and long-term optimisation.
This model means we support both our own projects and those of our partners. Globally, we provide services to more than 43 gigawatts of renewable assets across over 1,300 sites, helping to improve performance, reduce costs, and speed up deployment through both hands-on expertise and digital tools.
How far will RES expand its capacity in the next five years?
Right now, we are developing more than 26 gigawatts of new capacity across 14 countries. Our focus is a balanced mix of wind, solar, and battery storage, with many of our projects combining technologies to deliver greater value and resilience.
Looking ahead, we see strong potential for growth in renewable services and digital solutions, and we are investing accordingly. Our goal is to more than double the capacity we support—reaching over 100 gigawatts within the next five years.
U.S. President Trump raised international trade tariffs two days ago, and renewable energy markets plummeted in response. In this context, what stands out about the atmosphere and conversations here at WindEurope2025?
We are monitoring the situation closely and considering the potential implications for both our business and the broader renewable energy industry, which operates in a highly interconnected global market. If tariffs rise in one region, projects elsewhere are likely to feel the impact.
Despite these challenges, our focus remains on delivering projects efficiently and continuing to support the global transition to renewable energy. I remain optimistic—we believe renewable energy is the most competitive and forward-looking way to build electricity capacity for the future.
