Powering Europe's Future: Solar, Flexibility, and Industrial Competitiveness

Solar energy continues to grow across Europe, strengthening both our energy security and economic resilience. The solar industry’s ability to deploy swiftly and affordably played a decisive role in overcoming the energy crisis, and it remains essential for Europe’s competitiveness. With European electricity prices returning to pre-crisis levels, the next challenge is ensuring that Europe’s industries have access to clean, affordable power while enabling a more flexible energy system.

According to the IEA, solar will generate most of the world’s electricity by 2033—but realising this vision requires a revolution in energy system flexibility. Electrifying energy-intensive industries and leveraging demand-side flexibility are key to both industrial decarbonisation and maintaining Europe’s competitive edge. How can the EU steer the Clean Industrial Deal in the right direction? What steps must be taken to ensure solar power supports Europe’s long-term energy security and economic growth?

This session will explore the policies and market frameworks needed to unleash the full potential of solar and flexible electricity demand in driving Europe's clean energy future.