Smartenergy comes full circle with moves to Iberia, distribution

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
Smartenergy’s portfolio includes special situation projects such as the 12MWp plant built for Edisun Power near Valencia (Credit: Smartenergy)

SPONSORED.- The journey of renewable investor Smartenergy in its first few years of existence – from Spain to elsewhere and back to Spain – epitomises that of European solar itself.

Incorporated in Zürich in 2011, the firm first headed to the Southern European country, investing family office money in subsidised solar projects in the early 2010s. In 2014, after enduring tough Spanish times of feed-in-tariff u-turns and regulatory uncertainty, Smartenergy opted to branch out to projects in Germany, the UK and Chile.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Unlock unlimited access for 12 whole months of distinctive global analysis

Photovoltaics International is now included.

  • Regular insight and analysis of the industry’s biggest developments
  • In-depth interviews with the industry’s leading figures
  • Unlimited digital access to the PV Tech Power journal catalogue
  • Unlimited digital access to the Photovoltaics International journal catalogue
  • Access to more than 1,000 technical papers
  • Discounts on Solar Media’s portfolio of events, in-person and virtual

Or continue reading this article for free

Two years later, the time came to re-focus on Southern Europe. Deals including the takeover of developer Pvgen Solar helped build an Iberian PV and wind portfolio that stands today in the upper-hundred-megawatt region, split between Portugal (60%) and Spain (40%).

The focus on Portugal in particular comes at a momentous time. The socialist government of the prime minister António Costa has set its sights on boosting PV solar; particularly in southern regions, it sees huge potential in an industry that only supplied 1.5% of national energy use last year. Targets have been set for installed capacity to soar from 572MW in 2018 to 1.6GW (2021) and 8.1GW-9.9GW (2030). The solar auction planned for June or July – Portugal’s first ever – is meant to help get the ball rolling.

Getting grid challenges right

The government’s attitude shift has been well received by the Smartenergy ranks. “They’re very open to solar and showing a commitment to meet the goals they’ve set,” CEO Horst H. Mahmoudi tells PV Tech. “Their new ministry for the energy transition, the manpower increases across key bodies… they are trying to get things done.” Cultural factors also help, he says. “They both may share the same peninsula but Portugal’s approach can be different to Spain’s. For investors, for institutional players, it is easy to appreciate for instance that plenty of staff speak English, which sometimes is missing in Spain.”

Asked if Costa’s government is aiming too high with its 8.1GW-9.9GW by 2030 target, Mahmoudi points at grid challenges, as pressing in Portugal as they are in Spain. But on this point too, he expects Portuguese authorities will make the right call. “From our conversations, it sounds like there could be an option for future projects to tender for capacity,” Mahmoudi notes. “This could see investments diverted to grid upgrades, and help with the currently saturated connection points.”

Quizzed over potential Portugal moves, other developers have pointed at the country’s small economy and scarcity of corporate offtakers. Mahmoudi is not convinced by the premise, however. “Even if you struggled to find a Portuguese name, the single market means you can easily find a Spanish offtaker provided you comply with regulatory standards,” he argues. “And PPAs are not the only option. If you’re fine with lower leverage, you can also finance projects through 4-year futures contracts on [the Iberian derivative exchange] OMIP, for instance.”

The distribution dilemma

Smartenergy’s own finance recipe for PV projects is three-fold. The firm uses PPAs to partner with third parties or alternatively, engages in pure hedging on OMIP and Germany’s similar exchange EEX. A third, more recent strategy is to deliver energy directly by investing in ventures such as Portugal’s Muon Electric, whose customer base is growing in the country.

According to Mahmoudi, this move into distribution stems from past experiences in Chile and other markets. “When power prices drop, it can be harder to get banks to back projects, while hedging at a fixed price means you can lose some of the value,” he points out. “If you really want a full value chain, you need your own end customers. The only people able to close the circle are those who go into distribution and that’s why we’re doing it.”

Whichever the route, developers working to build a PV portfolio face a balancing act as they interact with investors and utilities, Mahmoudi says. “Managing the expectations of all parties can be challenging and utilities have to be considered,” he remarks. “Given that they can be a bit slower than developers and investors, if they lose opportunities because all connection points have been taken then they may start lobbying for access. You don’t want utilities to be alone in setting the rules for the rest – we need to make sure this works for everybody.”

New forays ahead

Portugal and Spain may have captured Smartenergy’s eye for the time being but is there space to mull forays elsewhere? Originally from Germany, Mahmoudi says the firm is always surveying opportunities in the country but adds: “As long as there are plenty of opportunities in high radiation countries, meaning Southern Europe, I would probably not go back to low radiation regions.”

Cultural affinity may also dictate expansion moves, Mahmoudi explains. “We have decided to start being as geographically close, as local as possible. In my case, that could be Germany, Switzerland, perhaps France,” he says. “You’re only able to do great deals where there’s a cultural, political fit – the five Portuguese people in the team are one of the main reasons why we’re successful in the country right now.”

11 March 2025
Frankfurt, Germany
The conference will gather the key stakeholders from PV manufacturing, equipment/materials, policy-making and strategy, capital equipment investment and all interested downstream channels and third-party entities. The goal is simple: to map out PV manufacturing out to 2030 and beyond.
3 June 2025
Messe Stuttgart Stuttgart, Germany
Meet battery manufacturers, suppliers, engineers, thought leaders and decision-makers for a conference and battery tech expo focused on the latest developments in the advanced battery and automotive industries. Stay plugged in for all the latest information on The Battery Show Europe 2024 including: Keynote Speakers & Conference Overview Show Features Floor Plan & Exhibitor News Travel & Transport information

Read Next

December 4, 2024
As solar panel prices continue their downward trend in November, module prices are expected to face a ‘slight uptick’ in December, according to the latest pv.index report.
December 3, 2024
Consultancy DNV has forecast transmission grid congestion in the next few years to hinder renewable energy deployment in Spain.
December 3, 2024
Robert Klein, who previously ran the company's Brazilian business, will assume the role from 1st January, 2025.
November 29, 2024
Serbia has launched its second renewable energy auction, seeking 124.8MW of solar capacity alongside 300MW of wind capacity.
November 28, 2024
Sonnedix has commissioned its 150MW Betierra solar portfolio in Spain, bringing its total renewable capacity in the country to over 1GW.
November 28, 2024
Spanish inverter manufacturer Ingeteam and PV automation solutions company Quantified Energy Labs (QE-Labs) have performed a drone electroluminescence (EL) inspection on a PV plant.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events, Upcoming Webinars
December 12, 2024
9am GMT / 10am CET
Solar Media Events
February 4, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
February 17, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
February 26, 2025
Seattle, USA