The “Conférence Nationale”: switching business on to renewable energies

As the scale of renewable energy production approaches critical mass, attention is shifting towards ensuring that demand matches supply; large business consumers, notably through their supply chain processes, have a major part to play.

Against this backdrop, the Conférence Nationale, organised by the "Syndicat des Energies Renouvelables" – an association of Renewable Energies experts and the specialist renewable firm Orygeen – focused on fostering the relationship between two groups: businesses looking to diversify and ensure a more sustainable supply of energy through renewables, and major players in the sustainability and renewable energy ecosystem.

The conference, sponsored by the French Ministry of Economy and Finance and supported by sustainability-committed firms including Solvay, BNP Paribas and La Poste, offered the opportunity for corporates to hear from renowned sustainability experts on best practices and current trends.

The conference focused on four main themes:

• Renewable energies in the global context and the critical need to mobilise corporates

• Renewable energy supply and corporate engagement

• Legal and technical tools available to corporates to accelerate the transition to renewables

• The importance of understanding risk management against a background of regulation and financing needs.

 
Key discussion topic
The crux of the conference was how corporates can take advantage of an increasingly mature market that is driving down the price of renewable energy. This new dynamic makes switching to renewable energy a more viable, consistent and predictable alternative than ever before. And with pioneers such as Danone, Solvay and Michelin paving the way, plus the added support of the national and local authorities in France, the scene is set for broader renewable energy adoption right across the corporate sector. 



However, for this widespread adoption to take hold, delegates highlighted the need for further initiatives to ease and enable the transition. As ever, the respective roles of finance sector and regulators were identified as critical success factors in helping corporates switch on to renewable energies.