Self-generation, energy storage, e-mobility and energy management solutions took centre stage in a high-level dialogue between the market and the business community.

Energy autonomy, self-generation and the energy transformation of businesses were at the core of the event “Energy in Practice: Decisions Shaping the Future of Business”, organised by Greenvolt Next and Globalsat Group at the Athens Olympic Museum, bringing together representatives from the market, industry and the wider business community.

At a time marked by rising energy demands, shifting international market conditions, accelerating electrification and increasing ESG compliance requirements, energy autonomy is emerging as a strategic driver of sustainability, competitiveness and business growth.

During the event, attendees were presented with the latest developments and European trends shaping the markets of self-generation, energy storage, e-mobility and energy management, alongside practical implementation examples from the Greek market.

The event was moderated by Maria Akrivou, journalist and Senior Editor at Fortune Greece, who guided the discussion through the different thematic sessions, highlighting the challenges, opportunities and strategic decisions businesses are called upon to consider in the context of the energy transition.

Energy strategy as a pillar of business growth

Dimitris Kollias, Energy Transition Strategist, European Climate Pact Ambassador and former Advisor to the Deputy Minister of Environment and Energy, discussed how energy strategy has become directly linked to overall business strategy, influencing critical areas such as competitiveness, access to financing, sustainability and organisational resilience.

His presentation focused on the role of energy efficiency, electrification and self-production as key enablers that allow businesses to effectively respond to the demands of the new energy era.

Mr. Kollias also emphasised the importance of selecting the right partner, noting that in the past many businesses postponed energy transition initiatives due to a lack of proper guidance. Referring to ESG reporting, he highlighted its evolution from a standard compliance requirement into a modern “sharing value” approach, enabling businesses to create mutual value through collaboration.

European experience and the outlook for the greek market

The international dimension of the energy transition was presented by Jose Almeida, CEO of Greenvolt Comunidades and representative of Greenvolt Group.

Drawing on the Group’s experience in mature European markets, he highlighted the trends shaping the future of self-production and self-consumption of energy across Europe, showcasing the significant opportunities emerging for Greek businesses as the market evolves towards a more decentralised and sustainable energy model. Particular emphasis was placed on the concept of energy sharing, underlining the substantial social benefits generated when businesses share the energy they produce, rather than simply selling it back to the grid.

Referring to the outlook for the Greek market, the Greenvolt Group representative noted that self-production in Greece remains at an early stage of development compared to other European countries, despite the country’s particularly favourable solar potential. As he pointed out, markets such as Germany and Ireland, despite significantly lower levels of sunshine compared to Southern Europe, have managed to achieve far greater adoption of self-production through photovoltaic systems.

In contrast, countries such as Greece, Spain and Portugal, which benefit from higher solar irradiation and therefore greater solar energy potential, still present considerable opportunities for further growth in the field of self-production.

“Greece has all the necessary conditions to emerge as one of the most dynamic self-production markets in Europe. The key challenge now is for the business community to capitalise on this potential through timely and strategic decision-making,” he noted.

From strategy to implementation

Dionysios Anargyros, Managing Director of Greenvolt Next Greece, and Vivian Paraschou, the company’s Sales Director, presented how the energy transition is being translated into practical solutions for businesses.

Mr. Anargyros referred to 2022 as a milestone year, when the energy crisis following the outbreak of the war accelerated the need for self-production solutions aimed at strengthening energy autonomy. As he noted, opportunities for the deployment of such systems are now greater than ever due to the expertise available in the market. He also underlined that self-production represents a strong competitive advantage and serves as the only effective “shield” protecting businesses from unpredictable energy price fluctuations.

Through projects already implemented for companies and organisations such as Ogilvy Greece, Tikun Olam Greece, Th. K. Skagias S.A., The American College of Greece, Sklavenitis Supermarkets, BRALCO and Leonteios School, attendees were presented with real-life examples of self-production solutions and energy transformation initiatives in practice.

At the same time, particular emphasis was placed on the Solar PPA – Zero Investment model, a self-production solution financed entirely by Greenvolt Next. In practice, this model enables businesses to gain access to clean and cost-efficient energy without any upfront capital investment, accelerating the adoption of sustainable energy solutions while strengthening their energy independence.

Integrated solutions for business energy transformation

Subsequently, Dimitris Kapellos, CEO of Globalsat Energis, highlighted the importance of a holistic approach to corporate energy transition. His presentation focused on integrating self-generation and energy storage with e-mobility, energy management, smart infrastructure, and critical facility protection solutions. He demonstrated the significant potential unlocked when energy production, management, and utilization operate as a unified ecosystem.

Mr. Kapellos made special reference to the advanced Globalsat Energis platform, which enables businesses to perform granular categorization and analysis of their individual consumption metrics—moving far beyond a simple overview, thereby delivering the critical data required for informed, strategic decision-making.

Furthermore, the strategic partnership between Greenvolt Next Greece and the Globalsat Group was highlighted as a vehicle for delivering end-to-end solutions. This collaboration comprehensively addresses the full spectrum of corporate energy needs, ranging from production and storage to consumption management and optimization.

The event concluded with a panel discussion featuring business executives whose companies have already driven significant investments in energy transition.

Spotlight on business experience

Dimitris Giannopoulos, COO of Tikun Olam Greece, Popi Skagia, Commercial & ESG Director of TH.C. SKAGIAS S.A., and Theodoros Diavatis, Head of Energy at ETVA Industrial Areas, shared their insights on designing and implementing energy projects. They outlined the challenges, benefits, and business prospects generated by transitioning to a more efficient and operationally autonomous energy model.

Popi Skagia, Commercial & ESG Director of TH.C. SKAGIAS S.A., noted that the company decided in late 2023 to invest in achieving 100% coverage of its energy needs. This strategic move effectively eliminated their energy costs (reducing an annual expenditure of €200,000 to municipal taxes only), with the return on investment (ROI) achieved in just three years. She also emphasized how vital it is for businesses to trust specialized partners who can guide them effectively.

Dimitris Giannopoulos, COO of Tikun Olam Greece, stated that following the launch of production in June 2024, the company secured an immediate 18% reduction on an annual energy cost that neared €1 million. The project serves as a “pilot” to fully comprehend and map out their needs, while the most significant impact has been the spectacular enhancement of the company’s profile in terms of ESG standards.

Theodoros Diavatis, Head of Energy at ETVA Industrial Areas, explained that through a detailed mapping of their infrastructure, the company gained a clear understanding of its energy profile. Given their high annual consumption in kWh, they proceeded with data categorization and analysis, enabling them to act effectively by deploying modern compensation and monitoring systems.

A substantive dialogue on the future of energy

The event highlighted the vital importance of collaboration between enterprises and energy solution providers in accelerating the energy transition and enhancing the competitiveness of the Greek economy. Through the speakers’ insights and the exchange of experiences among participants, the discussion underscored the potential of self-generation, energy storage, e-mobility, and advanced energy management technologies to foster a more sustainable and resilient business environment.

Greenvolt Next Greece and Globalsat Group continue to invest in developing and implementing end-to-end solutions that support businesses in their transition toward a more efficient, sustainable, and energy-secure operational model, actively shaping the future of the Greek market.

The event concluded with a networking session among business executives, market representatives, and speakers, cultivating a fertile environment for exchanging knowledge, sharing experiences, and forging new collaborative opportunities.

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