Solarplaza Summit | Hungary

Róbert Szabó is the Solution Sales Manager for Huawei Technologies and responsible for the renewable energy portfolio in Hungary and the Balkans. Before joining Huawei in 2020, he worked for a Swiss energy company, ABB, where he first worked on medium voltage equipment and then on the business development of renewable energy and EV charging infrastructure. Robert, who holds an MSc in Energy Engineering, has been involved in the renewable energy sector of Hungary and the surrounding countries for more than 5 years.

Krisztina Vauver graduated from Eötvös Loránd University Faculty of Law in 2001 and continued her studies in an LL.M. program in 2008. As a freelancer attorney-at-law and legal representative of more investors on the field of renewable energy, had a 10-years of experience in assisting renewable energy law sector in all aspects. Krisztina participated in the first solar power project in Hungary, followed by many more. She has been providing legal assistance to domestic and foreign investors in the renewable energy market since early 2008.

Studied at and graduated from Pázmány Péter Catholic University Faculty of Law in 2003, postgraduate studies at Eötvös Loránd University School of Law in tax law and at Budapest University of Economic Sciences and Business Administration (Corvinus) in economics. Joined the Budapest office of Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer in 2004. Associate of Oppenheim since 2008 and a partner of the firm since 2015. Peter is the head of the firm’s Banking and Finance practice. Author of several publications in the banking and finance subject and frequent speaker at conferences.

Csaba Polgár is one of the founding partners of Pontes Budapest. He leads the energy, infrastructure and project finance and arbitration groups in the Budapest office. His main areas are renewable project developments, acquisitions, divestments and financings, with special emphasis on solar projects. He also has substantial experiences in loan restructurings, NPL acquisitions and insolvency matters. Before establishing Pontes Budapest, Csaba spent more than seven years with Allen & Overy’s Budapest and London Offices working on energy matters and cross border M&A deals

Istvan Pocs, Senior professional with more than 20 years of experience at various fields of management and 15+ year of experience in energy industry. During his career he managed energy projects between USD 50-500 million. Took leading part of developing Renewable Strategy of MOL Group, Hungarian Oil and Gas major, focusing to power generation projects, geothermal and biogas. From 2015 he founded leading Hungarian PV developer company, PANNON Green Power and managed over 35 PV projects in parallel across the country on an end-to-end basis. Member of various Hungarian think tanks, focusing to batteries, EVs and balancing market. He is recently joined to EDPR, strengthening wind and solar business development activities in CIS and Balkan region. Economist. Speaks on English, Russian, Hungarian.

Attila Bagi has 19 years of experience at the Hungarian energy regulator, MEKH, where he is the deputy head of the Sustainable Development Department. He is involved in the support and regulation of renewable energy and energy storage.

Chelsea Gao works as Product Solution Manager in LONGi Solar Europe Region, have been providing pre-sales technical support, product promotions, system solutions to utility projects in Europe. Before joining Europe Region, she was focusing on Chinese market supporting utility clients with key projects. Participated as speaker and technical support in several events cross Europe region.

Ernő Kiss, President of the Hungarian PV and Solar Collector Association, has done voluntary work for the past decade to promote and encourage the spread and social acceptance of PV and solar collectors in the Hungarian market. Today the Hungarian PV and Solar Collector Association has more than 300 member companies that are active in the Hungarian solar industry. As a business owner, Ernő has invested in solar energy for 20 years. He has organized and executed several domestic and cross-border renewable energy investments. Market share of the company is significant in household and commercial sized solar systems, while PV power plants are also being implemented is succession. Currently, a total of 70 MW capacity is under construction.

After graduating at Corvinus University of Economics in 1995 Mihály has joined Structured Finance desk at ABN AMRO Bank Hungary. After few years he moved to the Bank’s Treasury department as a Corporate Sales manager. After the merger with K&H Bank in 2001 he was appointed to the Head of the Treasury Sales Department and in 2008 he became the Head of Financial Markets Department and the Treasurer of K&H’s Bank. In 2019 he was appointed to the Head of Specialized Financial Services & Financial Markets Directorates which covers K&H’s Project Finance, Real Estate Finance & Institutional Banking Client Services as well.

Julia Stryczyńska has been involved in the photovoltaic industry since 2016. Since then, she has been gaining experience in both EPC and distribution companies in various positions and now since the beginning of 2022, she is with the manufacturer of photovoltaic inverters - Sungrow. She is responsible for pre-sales technical support for products designed for large-scale PV and ESS projects in the CEE region.

Georg co-founded Photon Energy in 2008 and was the company’s CFO until 2011. Since then he has spearheaded the group’s expansion in Europe and overseas as CEO. Georg has extensive knowledge of the solar energy industry as well as in international finance. Before Photon Energy, Georg established a finance and strategy advisory boutique focused on the CEE region and previously held various positions in financial services in London, Zurich and Prague.

Imre VASS is a Partner at Our New Energy and heading the German, Dutch, and Central European (Austria, Switzerland and Hungary) activities of the company. His focus is on PPA transaction and strategic advisory as well as hedge advisory, but he is also dealing with P2X commercialization and further energy market-related advisory services around sustainability and net zero solutions. Before joining Our New Energy in February 2023, Imre has gained a significant experience at major German utilities (E.ON and Uniper) in different finance and commercial functions over the past 16 years. Since 2016 Imre worked as Lead Originator at Uniper, with responsibility for negotiating renewable PPAs and structured energy transactions across various European markets.

Keresztesi Máté has over 10 years of experience in the Hungarian electric power sector. He possesses extensive knowledge in transmission system operation and market operation, with a focus on balancing markets.

Nicola Kopij Zanin is an Independent Consultant at Solarplaza. He covers the role of M&A Director at PST, a Polish-based IPP & developer. Nicola holds a Bachelor's degree in Economics and Business from LUISS University in Rome, a Master's degree in Finance & Investments from Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University, and has obtained the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Level 2 Certificate.