Solarplaza Summit | Spain

Fernando is Country Head for Spain and together with his team is driving the expansion of the company within the Spanish market. He joined the business development team at Lightsource bp in early 2012 and was the Head of Acquisitions until November 2018, when he began focusing on building our operations in Spain. Prior to joining Lightsource bp, Fernando was a Partner and Country Manager for Spain at Sonnedix, and he has also held the role of Country Manager for Spain at AES Solar. Fernando holds a B.Sc. Management Sciences degree from the London School of Economics and Political Science, and an MBA from IESE Business School.

Christina is a Senior Associate responsible for Aurora’s Iberian subscription product. She has over five years of experience working within the Energy industry, with a particular focus on Project Financing and Financial Modelling. Prior to joining Aurora, Christina worked at Bank Sabadell as Head of Energy Research within the Project Finance team, where she led the financing of many large scale projects, working with major banks, law firms and major energy companies, both in Iberia and internationally. Christina graduated from the University of Southampton with a BSc in Mathematics with Spanish (Hons), and holds further qualifications in Big Data and Financial Modelling.

Since 20 years Florian Edler is involved in the photovoltaic industry. With an engineering background he started in an internationally active system integrator and gathered first experiences in the Spanish market between 2002 – 2006. In 2012 he joined Enerparc and since 2017 he is - based in Madrid - responsible for its activities in Spain focusing on development, implementation and operation of large photovoltaic power plants.

After eight years working in BayWa r.e. as Project Manager for Spain, UK and Japan, in 2019 Juanjo Álvarez was designated as Head of PV Development and Project Management for Spain and Portugal. Since then, Juanjo has been responsible for the coordination of BayWa r.e.’s PV team in the origination, development and execution of utility scale PV projects in the Iberian Peninsula. During this time, the team has managed to realize over 400 MW of projects, from the project development phase to financial closing and sale to third party investors. He has also gained valuable experience in the M&A side of projects, sourcing new sites for BayWa r.e.’s project pipeline. Before joining BayWa r.e. Juanjo started his career in renewables working for Solon Energy GmbH, where he gained significant knowledge in PV project development with a focus on the Spanish and Italian markets. Mr. Álvarez graduated in Law at the University of Oviedo in Spain where he also earned his Masters in Business Administration, and finished a post-graduate program on China studies at the Zhejiang University in Hangzhou, China.

Josefin Berg, Associate Director in the Clean Energy Technology group at S&P Global Commodity Insights, analyzes the trends and strategies in the downstream photovoltaic (PV) market. Her focus areas include PV demand and forecasts, company strategies (developers and engineering, procurement, and construction providers); mergers and acquisitions, costs, and the integration of PV in the power generation mix. Ms. Berg authors reports on PV markets and trends, and she regularly speaks at industry events. Ms. Berg holds a Master of Science in environmental engineering from Uppsala University, Sweden. She speaks English, French, Spanish, and Swedish and is based in Barcelona, Spain.

Miguel holds a double degree in Energy Engineering and International Finance. He has previous quantitative analysis and M&A experience. During his 12+ years working in the energy markets, he held the positions of Head of Portfolio Management at Enovos and Vice President for Origination at Danske Commodities amongst others. He develops the project behind Our New Energy to provide an answer to the need for an independent, transparent and reliable partner in the energy transition journey.

Federico de la Hoz García, Senior Advisor at Sonnedix, has more than 37 years of experience in the energy sector, both nationally and internationally. He spent a large part of his professional career at Iberdrola Group with increasing responsibilities in the technical, management & institutional areas. On behalf of Sonnedix, he participates in the Board of Directors and committees of the Spanish Photovoltaic Union (UNEF). During his time at Iberdrola, Francisco was a member of several Boards of Directors and Management Committees such as BBE, Elcogás, Central Térmica de Aceca or foundations such as Atapuerca, Energía sin Fronteras, Miguel Delibes or Víctimas del Terrorismo, among others.

Laura Ojea, Graduate in Journalism (Complutense University of Madrid) and Master in Economic Information. She is specialized in energy and environment. She started as an economic journalist in digital media such as Invertia or Finanzas.com. She worked at the radio station Intereconomy and the magazine Actualidad Económica.After that, she worked at Greenpeace press department in the Energy, Climate Change and Nuclear campaigns. She has been editor-in-chief of El Periódico de la Energía and now writes about energy and sustainability at El Español / Invertia.

With previous experience in London, but currently based in Madrid, Alfredo Fernández Agras is a Founding Partner at Everwood Capital since its inception on 2015. He focuses on private equity and the construction, operation and sale of merchant solar power plants in Spain. Everwood Capital is a leading investment fund management firm with over €600 million of renewable assets under management. Alfredo has a background in Law and Business and is also Chairman of the Board of Directors of NH Hotel Group.

Helena Fernández is responsible for the Sustainability and Climate Change department at Isemaren, where she collaborates with the engineering and promotion departments in the development and management of photovoltaic plants, with the goal of maximizing the positive impact of this renewable technology in the environmental and social sphere. Specialist in Rural Development Policies, Evaluation of Agro-environmental and Forestry Measures from the UCLM and Bachelor of Environmental Sciences from the same university. Expert in climate change, organic farming and environmental impact. She has published studies in scientific journals and has been a professor at the UCLM on Environmental Impact Assessment. She is very knowledgeable about climate change policy thanks to her work for more than 7 years at the Climate Change Office of Castilla-La Mancha. As a consultant, she has participated in a wide range of low-carbon economy projects, carbon footprint calculation and certification, and in the development of strategies in the field of sustainability for companies and administrations

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Inés Monroy (International Business Development & Brand Manager) joined SENS - STEAG Solar Energy Solutions in 2020, a leading global service provider in the field of solar PV that develops, builds, operates and carries out maintenance of large scale plants and rooftop installations as well as offering services in the field of energy efficiency. Since 2005 she has developed her career in the solar PV sector in different companies of the value chain that operate in the manufacturing, distribution, transfer of technology (cells and modules), as well as the development, EPC and O&M of PV projects, including grid-tied, distributed energy generation, off-grid systems, and micro-grids, where she has held positions in business development, project development and project management in various different markets in Europe, Latinamerica and Asia-Pacific.

Mr Kim Keats is a Director at EKON (www.ekonsc.com). Kim started his career in economic consulting at London Economics in 1995 and joined the new London office of ICF International in 2000. Joined IPA Energy + Water Economics in 2007 developing and leading the transaction team based in London until the end of 2014 when he relocated full time to Madrid. Set up the market advisory team at K4K (www.k4kadvisory.com) and linked up EKON as Director for modelling. His primary focus on the preparation of market studies to support and inform financing, refinancing, IPOs and M&A of power, fuel and water desalination projects in Europe, Middle East, North Africa, Asia and the Americas covering both conventional and renewable generation technologies on behalf of major international project developers, financiers and fuel suppliers. Over the past 17 years, Kim has supported the successful completion of 47GW and 471MIGD of capacity with a transaction value of more than USD32 billion. He has worked in Spain since 1998 advising on a variety of thermal and renewables projects and for different clients.

During the last two decades Luis has worked in the energy sector with a strategic focus on the renewable energy sector. Luis is an expert in energy economics and finance, markets and regulation of the electricity sector. In recent years he has participated as an advisor in several of the most relevant M&A transactions in the Iberian market and in numerous international projects as well as having past experience as the Country Manager for Global Capital Finance. Luis is an economist from the Autonomous University of Madrid and and holds an MBA from ESCP Europe.

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Lorenzo Font has more than twelve years of experience in the energy sector in various roles across the industry value chain, from engineering and consulting to project development and investment. He holds a BSc and MSc in Industrial Engineering from the Ramon Lull University, and postgraduate degrees in Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Project Finance from Gent University and the Amsterdam Institute of Finance, respectively. Lorenzo started his career at Bilfinger Tebodin, a consulting and engineering firm, advising large corporations on energy management, energy efficiency, and on-site renewable generation programs across Europe, Mexico, and the US. After more than five years in consulting, he joined ib vogt, where he developed and acquired utility-scale solar projects in the Dutch market. At the end of 2019, Lorenzo teamed up with the founders of Sunrock, rooftop solar market leader in The Netherlands, to set up the self-consumption business line of Soto Solar, a developer and investor focusing on the Spanish market.

Alejandro is Director of Ecologic Transition at beBartlet, the first public advocacy cabinet of Spain. He is the former Director of Regulation and Studies of UNEF, the Spanish Photovoltaic Association. He holds an Industrial Engineer degree from the Polytechnic University of Madrid and a Master in Power Sector Regulation from ICAI Comillas. He has more than ten years of experience in economic and regulatory analysis of the power sector in Spain.

David specialises in regulated sectors and public law, with wide experience advising in the energy, environment, waste, public infrastructure and public procurement sectors. He has a wealth of experience advising companies and financial institutions pursuing regulated activities, with noteworthy examples advising on a host of high profile transactions regarding the financing, sale and purchase of renewable energy assets (e.g. wind farms, biomass plants, photovoltaic and thermo-solar energy facilities). Since 2014, David has been Secretary to the Board of the Spanish Photovoltaic Association –UNEF and is also founding partner of AEDEN, the Spanish Association of Energy Lawyers. Highly regarded legal directories Chambers Global and Chambers Europe recognise David as a leading lawyer in Spain for energy and natural resources, highlighting his “profound experience, knowledge and market intelligence” in 2019.

Alba Fernández holds a Dual BSc in Electrical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering. She is currently working at Holaluz, the 100% renewable electricity and gas supplier and is a professional oriented towards sustainability and clean tech innovation. Previous experience in strategic consultancy designing innovation strategy projects for energy corporations and public entities.

Yann Dumont (1982) is an Industrial Engineer from ICAM in Lille (France). In addition, he has studied senior management at various international universities such as Georgetown University in Washington DC. He has dedicated his professional career to renewable energy, working on numerous wind, solar, biomass and wave energy projects. At the beginning of his professional career, he worked as head of CSP projects at Hidrocantábrico-EDP. From here, he went to the Solar Department at POWEO (the first French private energy company) as Director, with a special focus on promoting projects. Later, he started various businesses through the consulting firms Enya Renovables and Esyan Renovables, of which he was founder and partner. He worked for four years in photovoltaic and wind projects at Abengoa, mainly in engineering and construction, but also in the study and development of concession models (IPP). During this stage, he held various positions: vice president of the Abengoa T & I subsidiary and director of Abengoa Wind Concessions at an international level, among others. Afterwards, he was CEO of Wind and Solar at Forestalia, where he participated in the creation of a development portfolio of more than 5GW. During this period, the first financial closure with PPA of a wind project in Spain stands out, leading to the end of the development and investment decision of more than 2 GW. Currently, he is CEO and founder of Reolum Renewable Research, a consulting firm specializing in the comprehensive development of renewable energy projects. The company is founded and led by an experienced team, with a long history and recognition in the sector, whose objective is to join the concepts of profitability and sustainability in order to contribute to the energy transition in Spain. Finally, he promoted with other companies in the sector the creation of the Spanish Energy Storage Association (ASEALEN), which he presides since 2020.

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Laura Feijoo celebrates a Degree in Industrial Engineering in Energy Technologies from Universidad Carlos III de Madrid. She has 14+ of experience in coordination and management of projects in the field of renewable energies and water resources including experience in international organizations and development cooperation in the field. She is currently coordinator of the Self-consumption Area in Ecooo.

Isabel Reija has an extensive career in the energy sector having worked in large companies such as Repsol and Endesa and having founded the first independent retailer Feníe Energía with which she developed a recharging infrastructure network with more than 1,000 points throughout Spain. Now she is the CEO and founder of Barter with which she is creating energy communities to democratize solar energy.

Ricardo is currently Director of Institutional and International Relations at UNEF. He previously worked as Director of Business Development and was responsible for energy sector accounts at Acento Public Affairs and as a partner at ABDC Corporate Diplomacy in sustainability projects in Latin America. He holds a law degree. Between 2009 and 2014 he was an MEP where he served as President of the Mexican Delegation of the European Parliament. Between 2016 and 2019, he was a Member of the Mexican Congress. He has also been partner in the law firm Cremades y Calvo Sotelo, director of the Spaniards in the World Foundation, and executive director of his own firm Harmony & Common. He has been Professor at Nebrija University and collaborator at the Camilo José Cela University. He is currently a member of the Executive Committee of the European Movement.

Estefanía Orellana is Sungrow's Senior Manager of Claims of Contracts for the European Region. As a lawyer with dusty boots, she has 8 years of experience in management of infrastructure and renewable projects and has coordinated on-site activities of EPCs, BOP, Supply and Service Contracts as well as all related major subcontractors in projects throughout Latin America, Europe and the Middle East. Offsite, she has led negotiations of key supply contracts for 3 GW of PV projects and 1 GW/h for Energy storage projects. She holds an LLM in international commercial Law from Heidelberg University (Germany) and is currently listed as a Professor of Commercial and International Law at the Santiago University and Diego Portales University in Chile.

Héctor Sánchez is Vice-President fo Sales for EMEA region at Soltec Trackers. With a Bachelor Degree in Industrial Engineering, he has a wide experience of more than 12 years in the global PV market. He joined Soltec in 2009 and has developed is career both in Spain and Brazil, where has been leading the Brazilian sales team for more than 4 years, taking Soltec to become one of the top tracker manufacturers in the country, with more than 4GWp of projects. Since February 2020, he is taking up with great enthusiasm, the challenge of leading the sales operations of the company in Europe, Middle East and Africa.

Managing Director and founder of Studio Tecnico BFP, a leading independent engineering and consulting Italian firm with offices in Italy, Spain and active worldwide. 20 years’ experience in the renewable energy sector, acting as designer, construction manager, project manager, owner’s engineer and technical adviser for M&;A and asset management purposes mainly in PV solar and wind. In the last years Gianluca focused his activity on the technical advising for M&A transactions for green and brown field projects and operating plants. Gianluca is the designer of some of the most important and bigger PV plants in Italy and he is an expert of the authorization procedures in Italy. Gianluca holds a master degree in Electrical Engineering from Polytechnic of Bari. BFP provides design, construction support and technical consultancy worldwide on the renewable energy sector, mainly in Wind, Solar PV and Green Hydrogen, achieving several works successfully performed in Europe and Latin America mainly. BFP performed its technical services on more than 12 GW worldwide.

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Originally from Brazil, Lorena Nieuwenhoven completed a double major degree in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics at the Erasmus University Rotterdam in 2019. She then deep-dived into the area of renewables and sustainability, helping expand the penetration of solar energy in the Iberian markets through her work as a Project Manager for Solarplaza. Apart from her work in the Spanish and Portuguese markets, Lorena has also spearheaded topical conferences related to Green Hydrogen and Hybrid Renewables.