Yingli Green Energy Europe has confirmed its presence at the upcoming edition of the Future Energy Summit in Madrid, with the objective of reinforcing its standing in a European photovoltaic market under significant pressure from uncertainty.

In this context, the company sees increased visibility and stronger ties with strategic players in the region as essential.

“We are looking to use FES Iberia as a brand positioning tool to remain top of mind with customers,” states Luis Contreras, Managing Director of the company, in conversation with Strategic Energy Europe.

Purchase Tickets with Early Bird Benefits

In his analysis, the renewables summit represents a unique opportunity to approach and strengthen relationships with developers still active in Spain or operating projects in other regions.

“We intend for it to serve as a networking platform—both with those still working in Spain and those active abroad,” he adds.

Reduced Profitability and Retraction in Photovoltaic Projects

Asked about the current market conditions, Contreras warns that the profitability of utility-scale PV projects without storage is severely compromised.

“Energy prices have dropped significantly, and investments no longer return the paybacks that were projected two years ago,” he explains.

He identifies a clear trend: “There is a lot of disinvestment. There are far fewer standalone PV projects without batteries in Spain,” while large entities capable of sustaining such developments long-term are the exception.

According to Contreras, a transitional phase is likely to emerge, dominated by hybrid projects or standalone storage systems, before solar deployment regains momentum.

He also links part of this uncertainty to structural factors in the international market: “There is huge demand in China and a rise in raw material costs. Today, it’s more profitable to keep products in China than to export them,” he says.

This phenomenon, impacting supply in Q2 and Q3 of 2025, is expected to affect pricing and availability across Europe. Stabilisation may not occur until Q4 or even 2026.

Furthermore, he warns of global oversupply: “We are producing twice the capacity relative to actual demand. There is a level of fragmentation among manufacturers that the market cannot sustain,” he explains, predicting a “natural market reordering” where only the most competitive firms will remain.

A Critical View of U.S. Tariffs and Europe’s Opportunity

On the subject of U.S. trade policy, Contreras is unequivocal: “Overprotection will harm the American market. We already experienced this in Europe in 2016, and it was a disaster.”

He explains that this policy prevents Yingli from serving Spanish clients with large portfolios in the U.S., forcing all suppliers to compete more aggressively in other markets.

“It blocks potential sales and forces us all to turn to Europe, South Africa, Australia, and Latin America,” he adds.

While acknowledging that Europe has an opportunity in light of the American pivot, he also notes significant limitations: “Europe lags far behind in energy independence, supply chain capacity, and competitiveness.”

He also highlights the structural difference between the two regions: “The United States defends its national interests as a single entity, while Europe is a union of states and cannot always act as one.”

Spain: A Strategic Opportunity Through Stronger Ties with Latin America

Within the broader European context, Contreras identifies a strategic window of opportunity for Spain: “If the country takes its relationship with Latin America seriously, it could become a global benchmark,” he suggests.

He believes that historical, cultural, and economic ties could translate into key energy alliances, especially in an international scenario where supply chain resilience is increasingly critical.

FES Madrid 2025: A Space to Anticipate What’s Ahead

The Future Energy Summit Iberia 2025 will take place on 24 June at the Colegio de Caminos, Auditorio Betancourt in Madrid, with over 400 senior executives from the public and private sectors expected to attend. This year’s programme includes panels on offtakers and renewable development in Southern Europe, positioning the event as a strategic hub for the region’s energy transition.

Purchase Tickets with Early Bird Benefits

Yingli joins companies such as Chemik, Risen, 360Energy, BLC Power Generation, and Yingli Solar, which will share their insights on photovoltaics, storage, auctions, and PPAs. The summit will also feature exclusive networking spaces and private meetings to foster new partnerships.

“What I believe attendees will be looking for from manufacturers like us is guidance on where prices are heading, which technologies to watch, and, above all, who will still be standing by the end of the year,” Contreras concludes.