Perspectives, challenges and strategies for 2026-2035
The years 2026-2035 will be a watershed in terms of increased investment in renewable energy sources (RES) in Europe. According to forecasts, the European Union will invest around €100 billion in the development of photovoltaic farms, wind farms and energy storage systems during this period.
Poland plays a strategic role in this plan - the transmission system operator (PSE) has announced an ambitious investment programme exceeding PLN 64 billion (€15.4 billion) until 2034. The implementation of this plan includes the construction of around 4,700 km of new 400 kV transmission lines, 28 new substations and the modernisation of 110 existing facilities. These investments are expected to enable the connection of around 18 GW from offshore wind farms, 45 GW from photovoltaic installations and 19 GW from onshore wind farms, generating around 160 TWh of energy per year.
Key risks in the supply chain of the RES sector
The dynamic development of the RES sector brings with it specific challenges:
Technological risks: The deployment of advanced battery technologies, in line with the BATTERY 2030+ roadmap, is associated with uncertainties regarding their availability, reliability and industrial-scale manufacturability. Technologies may encounter unexpected technical barriers, causing potential delays or be quickly replaced by more efficient solutions.
Disruptions in the supply of components: Global demand for RES components such as photovoltaic modules, wind turbines, inverters, energy storage is increasing. The question is whether production capacity will keep up with demand and whether Europe will be up to the task of becoming independent from China, which wants to dominate the RES sector. This could lead to material shortages and delivery delays, affecting the timeliness of projects.
Price volatility of strategic commodities: Increasing demand for key raw materials - such as lithium, silicon or rare earth metals - can cause significant price volatility, negatively impacting project economics. Effective management of this risk requires appropriate financing and procurement strategies.
Strategies for effective management of purchasing risks
Companies operating in the RES sector should implement the following approach:
Monitoring technological trends: Regular analysis of technological advances and compliance with industry roadmaps (e.g. BATTERY 2030+) allows rapid response to changes, reduction of technological risks and optimisation of the procurement process.
Diversification of suppliers: Building partnerships with diverse suppliers from multiple regions of the world reduces dependence on a single source of supply, reducing the risk of delays and increasing resilience to logistical and political disruptions.
Price protection: The use of instruments: such as hedging and long-term contracts, allows projects to hedge against the negative impact of sudden changes in strategic commodity prices or currency fluctuations.
Building competence and organisational resilience
With the increasing complexity of RES investments, developing the competencies of purchasing and risk management teams becomes crucial. Investing in human capital, specialised training and improving internal communication are the foundations of effective risk management in the RES sector's purchasing processes. This will enable companies to take full advantage of the opportunities brought by the new wave of renewable energy investments.
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