PVcase

The blueprint for European energy security, with Walburga Hemetsberger

In this episode of Watt Matters, Walburga Hemetsberger, CEO of Solar Power Europe, discusses how solar energy has evolved into a critical strategic asset for Europe's energy security, emphasizing the need for regulatory reforms, increased battery storage, grid flexibility, and AI-driven demand management to sustain solar expansion and meet electrification targets amid supply chain and market challenges.

S1E8 episode overview

Solar is no longer just a tool for decarbonization; it has matured to become a high-stakes strategic asset in national policy. In this episode of Watt Matters, Ana speaks with Walburga Hemetsberger, CEO of Solar Power Europe, about the evolving role of solar in Europe’s energy transition.

From electrification targets and supply chain resilience to flexibility, storage, and AI-driven demand growth, Walburga breaks down how Europe can sustain solar’s expansion while adapting its regulatory and market frameworks.

What you'll learn in this episode

  • Why solar is central to Europe’s energy security strategy
  • The four strategic priorities guiding Solar Power Europe’s work
  • What “flexibility” really means for grids, consumers, and markets
  • Why Europe needs 10x more battery storage by 2030
  • How negative prices and curtailment are affecting solar business cases
  • The policy reforms required to unlock storage investment
  • How AI and data centers could reshape electricity demand

Solar may be installing at record levels, but long-term success depends on flexibility, storage integration, disciplined site selection, and streamlined digital workflows.

Chapters

  • 00:00 – Walburga’s path to Solar Power Europe
  • 03:00 – Representing the full solar and battery value chain
  • 08:00 – Security, competitiveness, and electrification targets
  • 13:30 – Defining flexibility: demand response and storage
  • 17:00 – Battery deployment and market realities
  • 21:30 – Regulatory barriers and implementation gaps
  • 23:30 – AI, data centers, and powering future demand
  • 26:45 – Why solar’s long-term trajectory remains strong

Meet our Guest

Walburga Hemetsberger is a leading architect of European energy policy. As CEO of Solar Power Europe, she represents over 300 organizations across the solar and battery value chain. With nearly 20 years of experience in the energy sector, she has strengthened Solar Power Europe’s advocacy on electrification, flexibility, resilient supply chains, and battery storage deployment, playing a central role in advancing Europe’s renewable energy agenda.

Meet the Host

Ana Conde is a seasoned product marketing leader with over 15 years in renewable energy. Known for her strategic mindset and passion for innovation, Ana brings clarity, curiosity, and deep industry knowledge to every conversation. As host of Watt Matters, she explores the ideas, people, and breakthroughs moving solar forward.

About the Watt Matters podcast

On Watt Matters, a podcast from PVcase, we speak with industry leaders about the major challenges they run into daily. We get to the root of why projects fail and share the recipe for building a more resilient foundation for success.

Don’t miss an episode! Want to know what it really takes to succeed in solar? Subscribe to Watt Matters for an unfiltered look at why projects fail. We talk with industry experts about overcoming the biggest hurdles in solar development, from early-stage planning to system design.

Get exclusive insights and learn how to build a more resilient foundation for success, no matter where you are in the project lifecycle.

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