It finished 2021 with the goal of tripling its turnover next year, and in three months it could practically reach the target. Alternative EnergyAs a developer of self-consumption plants for industry and large corporations, the company has already signed contracts to enter 80% of the 30 million proposed to be harvested at that time. And when growth is no longer a novelty in a company operating in a booming industry, the rush is this: “If you had previously requested an installation, the whole process would have taken a year, now it happens to us that we are closing sales for construction now”, reflects the company’s director, Esther Morlanes.
“Until now, many companies have wanted to bet on self-consumption to reduce costs, while also working in favor of sustainability,” this directive continues. “But right now [todo] that’s the price of electricity: imagine if we could reset some of your energy costs from one day to the next,” he assures.
Because the mix of elements supporting the transition to renewable sources since 2019 was only missing the hyperinflation of the energy price. Proof of this is when Telefónica formed a company with Repsol last month to enter the photovoltaic self-consumption business, Audax signed an agreement with EiDF Solar to become stronger in this area, or the Parlem telecommunications group created a renewable energy division. It is also the acceleration of Alterna. Svea Sun doubled its billing in one quarter, or significant reduction in indecision among customers identified since sun snow.
“There are three obvious factors that give the market an extra impetus: the electricity tariffs implemented in June, the constant rise in prices last fall and the dependence on Russian gas,” says Svea CEO. Daniel Nilsson, a company dedicated to consumption, especially in private homes. Regarding the moment when a technology begins to enter mass use, he reassures this executive that “we’re approaching the turning point.”
They agree with the reading of SolarProfit, a company for the job market: Such a situation increases demand and accelerates decision-making. “Companies that are unclear about it, that think the light will go out this year, or expect subsidies, have seen it come a long way,” says its CEO. Oscar Gomez, he nevertheless takes advantage of everything to nuance the enthusiasm a little.
Demand has been so high for months now that it’s difficult to attribute growth to a specific cause, he explains. According to this Catalan Energy Institute (ICAEN), photovoltaic self-consumption installations in Catalonia doubled (+118%) in 2021 compared to the previous year and tripled for two consecutive years. In addition, quarter-to-quarter growth was in double digits over the past year, increasing 35% in the final three months of 2021 alone. The Solarprofit manager adds to this that self-consumption does not solve the rising electricity prices decline. According to which companies? “For energy-dependent or electro-intensive companies, this is a help, but it doesn’t solve the problem,” says Gómez.
independent producers
But everything indicates that such companies have found a way to use renewable energy to lower and stabilize electricity prices. EnersideA company that designs, builds and maintains large photovoltaic parks and is just starting its phase as a third party power generator, it has both recorded a “very notable” increase in the number of companies interested in signing up (especially in the last month). As with the number of institutional investors interested in joining the company, deals to purchase electricity directly with them.
“Dependence on Russian gas is accelerating the need for change: at the first stage, you consider exceptional measures. [separar el precio del gas del resto de energía o considerar la energía nuclear como renovable]but what you’re finally doing is speeding up the medium term, what you’re going to do ten years from now, you plan to do now”, contextualizing the company’s CEO, Joatham Grange. “Today, the fastest and cheapest formula for creating new electrical capacity is photovoltaics, the war has only been a catalyst for all this attention,” adds the businessman.
“What the past month has certainly shown us is that the model cannot withstand geopolitical conflicts,” concludes Grange. And everything indicates that this will at least support the green transition, just as the pandemic did with digitization.