Key takeaways from RE-Source 2026 in Amsterdam
Corporate renewable PPAs in Europe declined 9.7% in 2026 as solar capture rates halved since 2022, pushing buyers toward hybrid deals and storage solutions amid rising negative-price hours.
The 10th RE-Source event in Amsterdam drew 1,400 attendees to negotiate renewable electricity deals in a market where prices turn negative for about 10% of hours, up from 2% in 2021. Corporate power purchase agreements (PPAs) secured 5.9 GW in Europe by November 2026, a 9.7% drop from the same period in 2025, reflecting a cooling market according to ACER’s annual assessment. Solar plants in Spain and Germany now earn roughly half the average market price they did in 2022, with Spanish solar output generating nearly one-quarter of its electricity during negative-price hours this year.
Hybrid PPAs combining multiple technologies have nearly doubled in volume, as buyers seek more predictable supply for round-the-clock operations. Rockwool, a Danish insulation maker, now contracts about half its demand through PPAs and covers the rest with renewable energy certificates to align with factory schedules. Statkraft’s Silvia Escudero highlighted Spain’s 920 hours of zero or negative prices in 2026, noting that adding batteries to existing solar connections is the fastest route to market despite grid constraints.
New contract structures for batteries are emerging, including profile swaps that convert variable renewable output into delivery shapes suited to buyers. Centrica Energy’s Kristina Herold Høgh described traders as “problem solvers” providing risk capital and credit for complex hybrid deals. Axpo Solutions’ Domenico Franceschino cited indicative tolling fees for batteries in France, with standalone units costing about €80,000/MW annually compared to €45,000/MW for solar-charged batteries, where grid fees exceed battery costs.
Utilities and traders dominate battery offtake, as 50-65% of a battery’s value stems from ancillary services most corporates cannot trade. Pexapark’s Itamar Orlandi called grid connection points the most valuable asset, while Tavion’s Mathieu Ville questioned the logic of zero-price floors in PPAs. Italy’s upcoming organized PPA market, backed by GSE’s limited guarantee, aims to simplify transactions but remains complex, requiring legal expertise to navigate.