Future of Energy

Tuesday 24 March 2026

08:00

Registration & welcome coffee

09:00

Opening words

presentation

30 min.

Talitha Muusse

Conference host

Edwin Koot

Solarplaza

Michael Jongeneel

FMO

Session 1

Fragmented world, unified goals: accelerating the energy transition in emerging markets

09:30

Navigating change in the energy transition

presentation

30 min.

Reflections on today's fragmenting world
Impact of uncertainty on the energy transition in the global south
Balancing currents: climate, geopolitics, financing

10:00

Emerging markets, evolving realities

panel

45 min.

Shifting ground: what’s changed, what must change in emerging markets
How to achieve our 2050 targets?
Policy tailwinds driving new projects across regions

10:45

Morning networking break

Network and enjoy coffee or attend our technical assistance workshop!

Session 2.0

Catapult session

10:45

Catapulting next-gen developers into financial success (10:45 - 12:30)

105 min.

This workshop will begin at the same time as the morning networking break

New wave of project developers pitching for their contribution to the future of energy
Future investment opportunities

Session 2A

Resilience strategies

11:30

Successfully developing projects in an uncertain world

panel

60 min.

Strategies for managing policy, trade & supply pressures

Gilles Parmentier

Africa REN

Session 2B

Building the business case

11:30

Structuring storage: from concept to capital

presentation

60 min.

Matching business models with tailored funding solutions
Use of concessional finance in overcoming barriers to investment
Aligning stakeholders along the way

Session 2C

Showing the business case

11:30

The gender-smart business case: investing with impact

presentation

60 min.

How gender lens strategies unlock returns and expand market access
Sharing successes from female employment and leadership
Using 2X criteria to guide gender-focused investment decisions

12:30

Networking lunch break

Session 3A

AI strategies

14:00

AI at work in the green economy

panel

60 min.

How artificial intelligence is reshaping renewables
Real-world examples of AI in optimizing forecasting, operations, and asset performance
What market players need to scale AI solutions effectively

Session 3B

Building the business case

14:00

New deals, new risks: offtake in transition

presentation

60 min.

Diversifying offtake to boost project resilience and value
Risks and rewards of merchant market exposure
Structuring effective and bankable corporate PPAs

Session 3C

Showing the business case

14:00

Operating and financing green hydrogen in emerging economies

presentation

60 min.

Key challenges and strategies in project development & operations
Proven financing models for hydrogen

15:00

Afternoon networking break

Network and enjoy coffee or attend our technical assistance workshop!

Session 4.0

Technical assistance workshop #1

15:00

Powering nature: the commercial advantage of biodiversity performance in renewable energy (15:00 - 16:45)

105 min.

This workshop will begin at the same time as the afternoon networking break

Exploring the business case for nature positive strategies – developer-investor speed dating
Integrating nature throughout the project cycle – strategic siting, design, construction, operations, and decommissioning
Improving project financing profile through governance for effective biodiversity management

Robin Mitchell

Nature Positive Ltd

Session 4A

Energy tech strategies

15:45

Technologies shaping tomorrow's energy

panel

60 min.

Which tech trends will transform the market in 5 years?
From idea to impact
AI and smart systems are reshaping how energy flows

moderator

Marieke Roestenberg

FMO

Marieke Roestenberg

Manager | Private Equity – Ventures

FMO

As of 2020 Marieke is Manager of the Private Equity Ventures team at FMO, the dedicated Venture Capital team that is responsible for the implementation, deployment and overall management of the FMO Ventures Program and other early-stage investments with a focus on technology and innovation. Previously she worked as Principal Investment Officer at the Private Equity department focusing on investments in renewable (off grid) energy. Prior to this she spent 2.5 years as Fund Manager at FMO Investment Management, where she was responsible for the fundraising efforts of an Africa focused Fund of Funds initiative. Before joining FMO Investment Management in 2013, Marieke worked as Senior Investment Officer at FMO’s Private Equity department for nearly nine years. She is a seasoned private equity professional with ample transaction experience in fund investments as well as direct investments and served on the Advisory Board of several investment funds. Prior to joining FMO in 2004, Marieke worked as Analyst at the Corporate Development department of ABN AMRO Bank. She holds a Master of Science in Business Administration from the Erasmus University in Rotterdam.

Marie Cheong

Wavemaker Impact

Marie Cheong

Founding Partner

Wavemaker Impact

Marie is a Founding Partner of Wavemaker Impact, the first VC backed climate tech venture builder in SouthEast Asia. Wavemaker Impact co-founds start ups with experienced entreprenuers with the aim of building a portfolio of scaleable companies that can abate 10% of the global carbon budget. Marie has worked with over 20 entrepreneurs to help them build their businesses. In the last two years, Marie has focused exclusively on launching climate tech startups in Southeast Asia and is passionate about increasing the pipeline of women founders in the sector. Prior to joining Wavemaker Impact, Marie led the Venture Build program at ENGIE Factory, where she was responsible for building a portfolio of 10 climate tech ventures valued at over US $8m at pre-seed round. Marie was also the general manager at a SAAS startup and a senior member of KPMG's Digital + Innovation team. Her career also includes stints in management consulting and in a construction company where she specialized in operations strategy, business development, cost reduction and process improvement. Marie has a MBA from the National University of Singapore where she graduated as valedictorian and holder of the Panasonic Marketing Award.

Session 4B

Building the business case

15:45

Blending to build: De-risking the energy transition in frontier markets

panel

60 min.

Real-world examples of blended finance instruments and structures
Role of debt funds in balancing risk and return
Using public and philanthropic capital to unlock private investment

Session 4C

Showing the business case

15:45

E-mobility in motion: business models that work

presentation

60 min.

The business case for electrification of public transportation in emerging markets
The business case for battery swapping in emerging markets: E2W and E3W business models

16:45

Short break to move to plenary

Session 5

Scaling impact: intelligent strategies for a cleaner future

17:00

Climate algorithms: AI’s role in cutting emissions

presentation

30 min.

From data to decarbonisation
How AI can guide cost-effective, high-impact climate strategies
Machine learning in forecasting and mitigating risks

17:30

Recap of the day

presentation

15 min.

Talitha Muusse

Conference host

17:45

Networking drinks at Muziekgebouw

19:00

Networking dinner

Wednesday 25 March 2026

08:00

Registration & welcome coffee

09:00

Opening words

presentation

15 min.

Talitha Muusse

Conference host

Michael Jongeneel

FMO

Edwin Koot

Solarplaza

Session 6

Changemakers at work: scaling energy where it’s needed most

09:15

Leading the shift: a changemaker’s story

presentation

30 min.

Lessons in leadership from the global south’s frontlines
One voice, big impact: driving the transition forward
Transforming the energy transition from within

09:45

C&I grows up: from megawatts to gigawatts

panel

45 min.

How gigawatt-scale C&I shifts the business case
Project finance structures enabling large-scale rollouts
Streamlining E&S risk assessment

Tom Cairnes

ManoCap Energy

10:30

Morning networking break

Network and enjoy coffee or attend our technical assistance workshop!

Session 7.0

Catapult session

10:30

Catapulting next-gen developers into financial success (10:30 - 12:15)

104 min.

This workshop will run until the end of the morning networking break

New wave of project developers pitching for their contribution to the future of energy
Future investment opportunities

Session 7A

Local currency strategies

11:15

How can we unlock local currency for energy projects?

panel

60 min.

Barriers limiting local ccurrency lending for energy projects
Risks and incentives for (local) financial institutions

moderator

Philip Southwell

Chapel Hill Denham

Philip Southwell

Partner

Chapel Hill Denham

Phil grew up in the UK during the 1970s, a decade shaped by high inflation, labour disputes, power shortages, strict exchange controls, and an IMF stabilisation programme, and has spent his career working in countries with similarly complex challenges. His 35-year career has encompassed leadership roles in major global investment banks and entrepreneurial ventures alike. Since 1998, Phil has lived and worked across the emerging markets of Asia and CEEMEA (Central/Eastern Europe, Middle East, Africa). For the past 12 years, he has been a Partner and Managing Director of Chapel Hill Denham, sub-Saharan Africa’s largest investment banking firm. Chapel Hill Denham has pioneered listed alternatives in Nigeria and the wider region, launching innovative infrastructure and real estate closed-end funds. Based in Lagos, Chapel Hill Denham completed transactions in ten African countries last year. Phil chairs the Investment Committee and sits on the Board of Trustfund Pensions, a Nigerian pension fund manager, and is a Non-Executive Director of AMEA Power, accelerating renewable energy projects across Africa and emerging Asia.

Session 7B

Solution Circles

11:15

Mission 300: how can we power 300 million lives by 2030?

panel

60 min.

Exploring grid and off-grid pathways under Mission 300
How to unlock private capital for last-mile access

11:15

How can we decide between platform vs fund structure?

60 min.

Shifts of risk and return profiles when moving from fund to platform
Pitfalls and challenges with platform investing

Wymen Chan

SUSI Partners

Session 7C

Solution Circles from you

11:15

Solution circle #1

panel

60 min.

Our Solution Circles empower attendees to co-create answers to energy transition challenges in emerging markets. Got a pressing issue? Submit it and become a lead for a Circle to explore solutions.

Submit your topic!

11:15

Solution circle #2

panel

60 min.

Our Solution Circles empower attendees to co-create answers to energy transition challenges in emerging markets. Got a pressing issue? Submit it and become a lead for a Circle to explore solutions.

Submit your topic!

12:15

Networking lunch break

Session 8.0

Technical assistance workshop #2

13:45

BESS market creation (13:45 - 15:30)

105 min.

This workshop will begin at the same time as the afternoon networking break

Overcoming barriers to deployment
Market design strategies to scale storage where it’s lacking

Session 8A

Human capital strategies

13:45

Creating value through human capital

panel

60 min.

The value of human capital
Building a strong team: importance of training and knowledge sharing, office culture, 2x certification
Knowledge transfer to local people
Stewardship strategies that enable durable value creation

Matteo Brambilla

Red Rocket Energy

Session 8B

Solution Circles

13:45

How to bring private capital into the grid?

panel

60 min.

De-risking T&D projects to attract private investors
Policy, pricing, and partnerships that make grids investable

13:45

From least developed country to fragile state: keeping projects alive

panel

60 min.

Strategies to sustain progress despite political and economic instability
Lessons learned from active projects in complex environments

Session 8C

Solution Circles from you

13:45

Solution Circles #1

panel

60 min.

Our Solution Circles empower attendees to co-create answers to energy transition challenges in emerging markets. Got a pressing issue? Submit it and become a lead for a Circle to explore solutions.

Submit your topic!

13:45

Solution Circles #2

panel

60 min.

Our Solution Circles empower attendees to co-create answers to energy transition challenges in emerging markets. Got a pressing issue? Submit it and become a lead for a Circle to explore solutions.

Submit your topic!

14:45

Afternoon networking break

Session 9

Capital, commitment, change: financing a durable future

15:30

Capital at the crossroads: bridging the global investment divide

presentation

20 min.

Why is the global energy investment gap widening?
How can we unlock more investment?
Rethinking finance for the future

Sean Kidney

Climate Bonds Initiative

15:50

Creating liquidity: dividends and exits

panel

40 min.

Attracting investors to a liquid investment
Pension funds investing in renewables (there for the long-term)
Who to seek out to create liquidity in your fund
What attracts long-term investors (like pension funds)

Raj Pai

GEF Capital Partners

Raj Pai

Co-Founder & Managing Partner

GEF Capital Partners

Mr. Pai is a Founder/Managing partner of GEF Capital Partners, where he co-leads its South Asia investment program. GEF, with presence in US, Latin America and South Asia, is an early pioneer in global sustainability and environmental investing globally. GEF manages well over $1.2 billion capital focusing on middle-market opportunities in the climate/sustainability investment spectrum. Mr. Pai has over 25 years of professional experience spanning entrepreneurial, operational and investing activities in diverse sectors including telecom (data centers included), transportation, energy, digital and water infrastructure. He also serves on the investment committees of GEF’s South Asia, US and Latin America investment programs. In addition to general oversight, Raj also represents in the firm’s ESG & Impact committee and has been instrumental in steering GEF’s South Asia program towards being 100% Paris Climate aligned, TCFD linked and to being an SFDR Article 9 aligned platform. Prior to GEF, Mr. Pai was a Managing Director at CID Capital, a US based mid-market venture firm, and previously, Mr. Pai worked in consulting and in operational capacities for several global Fortune 500 technology companies, including AT&T and British Telecommunications in US and in India. Mr. Pai currently serves (and has served previously) on the boards of several of GEF’s portfolio companies in diverse sectors and was instrumental in several successful growth stories and exits among them. Mr. Pai holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Chicago, a Master of Computer Science from Arizona State University, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Engineering from the University of Bombay. He remains an active member and participant in various global forums including the Global Impact Investment Network (GIIN), the United Nations Principles of Responsible Investment (UNPRI), the 2X Challenge (Gender lens investing), Task Force for Climate Financial Disclosures (TCFD) and the Global Private Capital Association (GPCA).

16:30

From spark to shift: making change that lasts

presentation

20 min.

Explore how change often comes from unexpected people, ideas, or moments
End the conference with fresh perspectives to reframe your own change-making role

16:50

Closing words by Solarplaza & FMO

presentation

10 min.

Edwin Koot

Solarplaza

Michael Jongeneel

FMO

17:00

Networking drinks at Muziekgebouw