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What will define Energy Transition Summit 2026? Leaders share their predictions
The energy transition is at an inflection point. We asked Europe's top energy executives what conversations they expect to dominate at this year's Energy Transition Summit. Three clear themes emerged - and they all point to the same challenge: how to move from ambition to execution.
Theme 1: Flexibility takes centre stage
The consensus among leaders is striking: flexibilitoky isn’t an add-on anymore.
Xavier Degon, Head of Trading Origination France, TotalEnergies: “The rise of flexibility. Flexibility is becoming the corner stone of our electrical system. It unlocks the full potential of renewable energy as a significant and affordable source of supply.”
Simon Monk, Head – Flexibility and Structured Transactions, EnBW: Expects discussions on “Next phase BESS behind the meter applications and RES colocation.”
Attila Kiss, Senior Vice President, Enterprise Asset Management, E.ON: “Successful flexibilisation and digitalisation: A strong acceleration of digitalisation is necessary to integrate demand-side flexibility, which will be essential to shape an efficient renewables-driven power system.”
From trading strategies to behind-the-meter batteries to digital integration – flexibility is becoming critical infrastructure across the energy value chain.
Theme 2: From pilots to deployment
The conversation is shifting from “can we do this?” to “how do we scale this?”
Kristofer Fröjd, ex-Ellevio: “How we actually scale – beyond pilots and nice words – especially when it comes to grid capacity, flexibility, and storage.”
He predicts the most overheard conversation will be about “The three Ps: Paying, Permitting, and Planning. Everyone will be debating who pays, how fast we can permit, and how to plan smarter for the massive build-out ahead.”
The bottleneck isn’t technology anymore – it’s execution.
Theme 3: What are we waiting for?
Bram-Paul Jobse, Chief Financial Officer, EPZ: “I hope that the most overheard conversation answers the question: What are we waiting for?”
The technology exists. The urgency is clear. The question leaders want answered: what’s actually holding us back, and how do we remove those barriers?
The underrated topic to watch
Alejandro Sánchez Alarcón, Chief Data Officer, Naturgy: “I believe the biogas sessions will be amazing. It is an energy vector with a solid value proposition due to its energy density and circular origin.”
An important option for hard-to-abate sectors – biomethane sessions will cover everything from feedstock strategies to grid integration.
The through-line across all predictions: Europe’s energy leaders aren’t looking for the next big innovation. They’re looking for answers on how to deploy what we already have – at speed, at scale, and at a price that works.
Join these conversations at Energy Transition Summit, March 18-19 2026, Amsterdam.