Solarplaza Summit | Balkans

Tuesday 21 October 2025


08:30

Registration & Welcome Coffee

09:15

Welcome words

presentation

15 min.

Kevin Strietman

Solarplaza

Session 1

The Balkan Solar Market - Policy Shifts, Regulatory Outlook & Growth Potential

09:30

Keynote Opening: Charting the Balkans' Solar Future - Opportunities & Challenges in 2026 and Beyond

presentation

20 min.

This opening keynote sets the tone for the day, offering a strategic outlook on where the Balkan solar sector is headed, its greatest opportunities, and the biggest obstacles still to overcome.

  • Overview of the current energy transition in the Balkans
  • Key policy and market trends shaping solar deployment
  • Regional investment climate and appetite for renewables
  • Challenges ahead: grid, permitting, and cross-border cooperation
  • The role of solar in national energy strategies
  • Vision for regional alignment in the renewables push

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09:50

Market Insights: Balkan Solar Market in Numbers: Growth Trends & Investment Hotspots

presentation

20 min.

Gain exclusive insights into the numbers driving solar growth in the Balkans, as Aurora Energy Research reveals trends, capacity projections, and where capital is flowing in the evolving market.

  • Updated solar deployment figures across Balkan countries
  • Country-by-country growth comparisons
  • Overview of recent and upcoming renewable auctions
  • Emerging investment hotspots and project trends
  • Regional energy mix projections

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10:10

Regulatory Roadmap: How Policies Are Shaping the Balkan Solar Boom

panel

40 min.

Industry experts discuss the evolving policy landscape in the Balkans, diving into regulation, permitting hurdles, and the importance of harmonization for solar acceleration across the region.

  • Status and evolution of permitting frameworks
  • Legal complexities across different Balkan countries
  • The need for streamlined and transparent grid access policies
  • Transnational cooperation and cross-border energy alignment
  • Developer and association perspectives on regulatory challenges
  • Policy recommendations to unlock solar investment

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Saša Jovičić

Wolf Theiss

Naida Hausmann

Energy Community

10:50

Morning Networking Break

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Session 2

Advancing Solar Technology & Grid Integration - Unlocking Efficiency & Scalability

11:45

Lessons from Promina: Constructing Croatia’s Largest Solar PV Park

presentation

15 min.

Aljoša Pleć, Country Manager Croatia at Acciona Energía, shares exclusive insights into the development of Promina—Croatia’s largest solar PV park—and the lessons shaping future large-scale solar projects.

  • Project Introduction: Overview of the Promina Solar PV Park and its significance as Croatia’s largest solar installation to date.
  • Development & Construction Challenges: Lessons from navigating permitting, land acquisition, and environmental compliance across a large-scale solar project.
  • Grid Integration & Infrastructure: Insights into the development of a 400 kV substation and how Promina connects to Croatia’s national grid.
  • Strategic Role in Croatia’s Energy Future: Promina’s contribution to Acciona’s regional portfolio and its role in positioning the company as Croatia’s leading clean energy producer.

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Aljoša Pleic

Acciona Energía Croatia

12:00

Next-Gen PV Modules: Enhancing Efficiency & Reliability for the Balkan Market

presentation

15 min.

Explore the latest innovations in PV technology tailored for Balkan conditions, with insights on boosting performance, tackling harsh weather, and optimizing long-term system reliability.

  • Overview of next-gen PV module technologies
  • Efficiency gains and their real-world impact
  • Product durability in diverse Balkan climates
  • Enhancements in module design and performance warranties
  • Case study examples from regional deployments
  • How manufacturers support local project developers

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12:15

Built for the Balkans: Overcoming Technical Barriers to Solar Growth

panel

40 min.

From grid constraints to field-level innovation—this technical panel explores how TSO's, developers, EPCs, and technology providers are overcoming integration bottlenecks and engineering more efficient, resilient solar projects across the Balkans.

  • Technical and design adaptations to navigate grid congestion and interconnection delays
  • Developer strategies for managing curtailment risk at the project level
  • Innovations in module and system design to maximize land use and yield
  • EPC and O&M approaches for boosting reliability and reducing project downtime
  • Role of automation, forecasting, and digital tools in optimizing system performance
  • Perspectives on aligning technical solutions with permitting and regulatory frameworks

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Antun Andrić

Hops

12:55

Lunch Networking Break

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Session 3

Energy Storage in the Balkans - Market Forecasts, Business Models & Real-World Impact

14:30

Grid Forecast Presentation: How Ready Is the Balkan Grid for Energy Storage?

presentation

20 min.

A technical outlook from a leading TSO on the readiness of Balkan grid infrastructure to absorb large-scale energy storage and the upgrades needed to enable flexibility and long-term stability.

  • Current grid flexibility and bottlenecks
  • Forecasting future grid capacity demands
  • Role of storage in stabilizing intermittent generation
  • Technical limitations and upgrade priorities
  • Regulatory considerations for grid-connected storage

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14:50

Lessons from the Field – What We Learned from Operating One of Eastern Europe’s Largest Solar Parks and co-located battery

presentation

15 min.

Get practical insights from real operations as a leading developer shares key lessons, technical challenges, and performance data from one of the region’s largest solar-plus-storage installations.

  • Overview of the solar-plus-storage project scale and specs
  • Key technical and operational challenges faced
  • Performance metrics and grid interaction insights
  • Economic outcomes: cost vs. revenue expectations
  • Lessons learned for future hybrid project design
  • Developer perspectives on optimizing storage ROI

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15:05

Unlocking the Value of Energy Storage: Batteries, Revenue Streams & Grid Benefits

panel

40 min.

Dive into the real economics of battery storage. Industry experts explore standalone vs. hybrid models, revenue stacking strategies, and what it takes to build a profitable energy storage business in the Balkans.

  • Revenue stacking models: current and future streams
  • Differences between standalone and co-located business models
  • ROI benchmarks and cost trends for battery projects
  • Regulatory gaps and support mechanisms
  • Asset optimization tools and aggregation strategies
  • Long-term value of storage in grid services

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15:45

Afternoon Networking Break

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Session 4

Financing the Future - Solar & Storage Investment, PPAs & Bankability Strategies

16:30

Investment Insights: Where the Money Is: Trends in Solar & Storage Investments Across Eastern Europe

presentation

15 min.

A financial snapshot of the Balkan and Eastern European markets—this session highlights where capital is flowing, key risk factors, and what investors are watching in the renewables space.

  • Investment trends across the solar and storage sectors
  • Region-specific risk-return profiles and bankability factors
  • Investor appetite and deal flow observations
  • The role of blended finance and DFIs
  • Key drivers for unlocking private capital
  • Outlook for institutional and corporate investment

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16:45

Outlook on PPAs & Electricity Prices – Navigating the Future Market Dynamics

panel

50 min.

Banks and investors unpack the future of PPAs in the Balkans—covering merchant exposure, pricing volatility, and how cross-border deals and financial innovation can reduce long-term market risk.

  • Current trends in PPA structures and pricing
  • Merchant risk vs. contracted revenue security
  • Investor and lender perspectives on PPAs
  • Cross-border PPA potential and regulatory feasibility
  • Electricity market forecasts and hedging strategies
  • Tools for managing volatility and securing long-term revenues

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Ante Krečak

Erste Bank

17:35

Closing Remarks

presentation

5 min.

Kevin Strietman

Solarplaza

17:40

Closing Networking Drinks

Need any help?

Send us an email; we’d be more than happy to help.

Radmyla Nikitchenko
Project Manager

For practical questions regarding our activities:

[email protected]

Lon Stappers
Business Developer

For practical questions regarding our activities:

[email protected]

Sanna Solkinen
Project Coordinator

For practical questions regarding our activities:

[email protected]