The Pexapark Podcast

Welcome back to The Pexapark Podcast! In the first part of the episode, we review key developments shaping renewable energy dealmaking. Across Europe, regulation is evolving to stabilize short-term markets and accelerate grid connections — from Germany refining its Energy Acts to allow grid charging for co-located assets, to Italy’s DL Energia decree and Energy Release 2.0 program supporting grid access and industrial demand. Spain is expediting storage permitting and introducing data center regulation to boost renewable electricity use. In the U.S., the “one big, beautiful bill” continues to define renewable policy, with tax credit eligibility requiring construction to begin by July 2026. ERCOT has expanded its voluntary demand response program, adding operational complexity for large industrial loads. In the second part, Luca Pedretti speaks with Natasha Luther-Jones, Partner and Global Co-Chair, Energy and Natural Resources Sector at DLA Piper, about how PPA structures and legal frameworks are adapting to a more complex market shaped by hyperscaler demand, storage growth, and evolving risk allocation. Enjoy a discussion on themes including:The evolution and partial standardization of corporate PPAsHow hyperscalers are reshaping deal structuresMulti-buyer, intermediary, and co-located PPA modelsLegal focal points: credit support, negative pricing, curtailmentStandardization trends in BESS tolling and optimization contractsLessons from Spain’s blackout and related contractual risk discussionsKey contrasts between U.S. and European offtake marketsSubscribe to Pexapark’s bi-weekly newsletter on LinkedInUnlock More PPA Market InsightsRegister for your free Pexapark account to stay updated on the latest energy transition trends. Learn more >

Welcome back to The Pexapark Podcast! In the first part of the episode, we cover big shifts in renewables: France unveiled a revamped capacity market (centralized RTE-run auctions from November 2026) and a new injection tariff guiding storage behavior to ease grid congestion. Italy’s FER-X solar and wind auctions landed right in line with Pexapark’s fair-value benchmarks, while Germany’s Innovation auction showed sharper competition and only a small premium for solar-plus-storage projects. Meanwhile, data centers continue to dominate corporate PPA demand – around 30% of the total – with Northern Europe emerging as a key growth region. Across the Atlantic, PJM and Texas face accelerating load growth and a wave of battery deployments, confirming that storage now sits at the heart of the energy transition.In the second half, Luca Pedretti speaks with Walburga Hemetsberger, CEO of SolarPower Europe, about how solar is evolving from pure generation to a cornerstone of flexibility. Topics include:The growth of RE-Source into Europe’s flagship corporate PPA forum and this year’s themes – negative-price risk, hybrid PPAs, and access for smaller buyersHow SolarPower Europe drives policy in Brussels, from high-level advocacy to detailed input on network codes and market designThe rise of Solar 2.0: combining solar with storage to deliver near-continuous clean power and stronger business casesManaging new challenges – countering misinformation, adapting to shifting policy priorities, and keeping electrification momentumUpcoming milestones: the EU Grids Package and Electrification Action Plan, both expected to advance flexibility and storage adoptionAnalysis notes:Subscribe to Pexapark’s bi-weekly newsletter on LinkedInUnlock More PPA Market InsightsRegister for your free Pexapark account to stay updated on the latest energy transition trends. Learn more >

Welcome back to The Pexapark Podcast! In the first part of the episode, we cover big shifts in renewables: Europe’s day-ahead power market now trades in 15-minute intervals, boosting flexibility and volatility – a win for batteries and flexible demand. Switzerland’s new Acceleration Act aims to cut renewable permitting times dramatically, while Poland stands out with its first major BESS framework deal (1.3 GW / 5.2 GWh).Elsewhere, Germany’s PPA market slowed, the Nordics stayed quiet, and in the UK, solar-plus-storage co-location continues to rise. Meanwhile, Google’s partnership with Shell Energy Europe ushers in a new era of 24/7 carbon-free energy management, hinting at the future of corporate power procurement.In the second half, Luca Pedretti sits down with Katrin Fuhrmann, Managing Director of ENGIE Energy Management Solutions, to discuss how utilities are redefining their role in the renewable transition. Topics include:The rise of multi-technology and hybrid PPAs combining wind, solar, and storageThe evolution from PPAs to Flexibility Purchase Agreements (FPAs) and battery tollingEmerging trends in Germany and Poland’s BESS markets and their financing dynamicsEarly but fast growth: ~3 GW of co-located capacity contracted in 2025 vs 14.5 GW standalone, with two-thirds of new GB solar projects now co-locatedHow 24/7 CFE deals are progressing step by step toward truly green portfoliosUnlock More PPA Market InsightsRegister for your free Pexapark account to stay updated on the latest energy transition trends. Learn more >

Welcome back to The Pexapark Podcast! In the first part of the episode, we look at key market shifts: Germany launches a €500m guarantee scheme to revive its stalled PPA market, Italy’s FER-X auction confirms solar’s dominance with many projects now turning to PPAs at €54–60/MWh, and the Netherlands injects €1.2bn to rescue offshore wind. Battery revenues in Europe dipped on weak summer volatility but are already recovering, while the U.S. set a record with 4.9 GW of new storage in one quarter. In the second half, Jens Holstein – EVP Advisory at Pexapark – joins Luca Pedretti to explore the state of co-location. Enjoy a discussion on themes including:Why co-location is becoming the “route to market” for solar as standalone PPAs struggleHybrid PPAs and enhanced profiles: using one battery cycle to shift solar output from noon to evening, lifting capture rates from ~60% to 90%.Market outlook: Germany and the Netherlands lead on volatility-driven value, GB favors separate contracts, while Spain and Italy remain subsidy- and auction-drivenEarly but fast growth: ~3 GW of co-located capacity contracted in 2025 vs 14.5 GW standalone, with two-thirds of new GB solar projects now co-locatedRepowering as the next wave: hybridizing older German wind sites with solar and batteriesUnlock More PPA Market InsightsRegister for your free Pexapark account to stay updated on the latest energy transition trends. Learn more >

Welcome back to The Pexapark Podcast! In the first part of the episode, we dive into a fast-moving month for policy and pricing: the EU’s ETS review and fresh UK CfD momentum, a surprise SDE++ underspend in the Netherlands, and Spain’s storage-first push with generous capex support. We zoom in on market signals: Poland’s PPA landscape with easing risk discounts (notably for onshore wind) versus solar’s capture headwinds; the US split-screen of ERCOT’s storage boom and PJM’s hyperscaler-fueled demand premium; and why surging Nordic balancing costs are rewriting short-term risk and contract structures across Europe.In the second part, Jesús Boccio – Senior Originator at Pexapark – joins us to unpack the state of Spain’s offtake market after this year’s blackout.Enjoy a discussion on themes including:From blackout to blueprint: Operating Procedure 7.4, synthetic inertia, and a fast-track for co-located BESSHybrid PPAs: early Spanish deals and how batteries can lift PPA value profilesNegative prices & balancing: managing exposure as BRP models tighten and costs riseSpain’s buyer lens: fewer deals, smarter structures, and short-tenor hedges as a bridgeOutlook & timing: when Spain’s storage wave could break – and how to be readyUnlock More PPA Market InsightsRegister for your free Pexapark account to stay updated on the latest energy transition trends. Learn more >

Dominique Hischier, VP of Analysis & Editorial at Pexapark, dives deep into the shifting landscape of Europe's PPA and BESS markets. He discusses how wind energy faces challenges while solar, particularly in Italy, remains robust. Hischier highlights the implications of negative pricing, especially in Germany, and the surge in battery storage systems across Europe. The conversation also touches on the EU’s support schemes for heavy industries and the increasing trend towards mark-to-market valuations for agreements.

Welcome back to The Pexapark Podcast! In the first part of the episode, we unpack what’s been moving the renewable energy markets over the past weeks. From the sweeping impact of the “Big Beautiful Bill” reshaping U.S. clean energy, to PJM’s latest capacity auction price spikes, we explore how policy shifts and market dynamics are changing the trajectory of long-term renewables. Our deal tracker reveals surging utility PPA volumes, with Italy and Spain leading the way, while Poland firmly joins Europe’s front-rank of offtake markets – this time with its first landmark BESS transactions. We also touch on Germany’s stalled offshore wind auctions, the rise of storage-backed solar smoothing intraday volatility, and how even small shifts in generation timing can dramatically reduce negative price hours.In the second part of the episode, Yaniv Jaffe, Senior Product Manager at Pexapark joins us for a deep dive into what makes PJM tick. Enjoy a discussion on themes including:PJM’s scale and unique multi-state market designThe growing influence of data center demand on load forecastsWhy the capacity market has become so valuable (and politically sensitive)How renewable capture factors and REC prices stack up against ERCOT and CAISOInterconnection queue bottlenecks and their impact on project build-outRevenue stacking opportunities for wind, solar, and storage in PJMLessons PJM can take from ERCOT’s volatility and California’s renewable penetrationWhat investors, developers, and off-takers should watch most closely in PJM going forwardUnlock More PPA Market InsightsRegister for your free Pexapark account to stay updated on the latest energy transition trends. Learn more >

Owain Johnson, Global Head of Research at CME Group and author of 'Price Reporters,' delves into the mechanics of price benchmarks in renewable energy markets. He explains how benchmarks are created and their importance for finance and risk management. They shape market trust and foster industry-wide adoption, influencing emerging commodities like lithium and ethanol. The conversation also highlights the role of AI in enhancing price discovery, revealing how tech is revolutionizing transparency in energy markets.

Welcome back to The Pexapark Podcast! In the first part of the episode, we unpack Europe’s latest regulatory moves, starting with Italy’s FER-X auction, which drew over 20 GW in bids – double its cap – signaling a shift to a more mature offtake market. In Germany, BESS deal activity remains strong despite a court-backed BKZ grid levy. Meanwhile, the UK delivers long-awaited clarity: CfD tenors extended to 20 years and zonal pricing officially ruled out.In the second part of the episode, Forrest Carroll – Energy & Infrastructure Lead at Crusoe – joins us to unpack how AI infrastructure is reshaping energy procurement. From modular compute units to megawatt-scale data center builds, Forrest shares a first-hand view into how power strategy meets AI ambition. Enjoy a discussion on themes including:What it means to be a vertically integrated AI/data center operatorModular compute unit sizing and client types (hyperscalers, enterprise AI)Power procurement strategy: site selection, contract structuring, energy mixUse of PPAs, hedges, batteries, and carbon tracking mechanismsDemand flexibility and whether full utilization leaves room for rampingWhat energy developers and utilities should better understand about data center needsUnlock More PPA Market InsightsRegister for your free Pexapark account to stay updated on the latest energy transition trends. Learn more >

Apostolis Valassas, Lead BESS Analyst at Pexapark, dives into the booming battery energy storage offtake market in Europe. He discusses the evolution of contract structures, highlighting the shift from merchant agreements to tolling models. The conversation covers key geographical trends, with emerging players like Greece and Bulgaria gaining traction. Apostolis also shares insights on regulatory impacts and the future outlook for energy contracts, emphasizing the balance between financial stability and market dynamism.