When Power Becomes a Target - Building Resilient European Energy Systems Through Solar, Storage and Grid-Forming Technologies

Walburga Hemetsberger is the CEO of SolarPower Europe since 2019. She has over 20 years of professional experience in Brussels, working for a utility, trade association, the European Parliament and the European Commission. Walburga spent most of her career in the energy sector, covering in particular renewable energies and hydrogen.

Vladyslav Sokolovskyi is Chairman of the Board of the Solar Energy Association of Ukraine and a lawyer with 27+ years of experience in the energy sector.

Joined GOLDBECK SOLAR Group in September 2019.- Responsible for M&A transactions (sell side) and structured finance across the group.- 15+ years of international experience within M&A, finance and business development in Europe, Latin America and Central Asia across wind and solar PV infrastructure assets.- Previously worked at Vattenfall, SOWITEC, United Nations and German Energy Agency (dena).- Holds a master degree in international business administration from the European University Viadrina in Frankfurt/Oder (Germany).

David Wedepohl first came into contact with the solar industry while working for a US consulting firm before joining the German Solar Industry Association as Head of Market and Communications and spokesperson for the association. Today, he is responsible for all of the association's international activities outside of the EU. This now includes projects and partnerships in and with Africa, Latin America, Asia and the USA. He is a broadcast journalist trained at the international broadcaster Deutsche Welle and has studied and worked on both sides of the Atlantic. He earned his US degree as a Fulbright Scholar. He gained professional experience as a press and public diplomacy officer at the German Embassy in Washington, DC, and in the communications department of DaimlerChrysler AG. Since 2023, he has also been Managing Director of the non-profit branch of the solar and storage sector, BSW-Solar gGmbh.

Jarand Rystad is the founder and CEO of Rystad Energy, which he has built and led for more than 20 years into a leading global energy intelligence company. With a background from McKinsey & Company; in his role he has advised energy companies, investors and governments worldwide, and is recognized by the Financial Times as one of the most cited analysts in the industry. An outspoken energy enthusiast, 'geek' in his own words; Jarand is deeply engaged in the future of energy and the economy, and a sought-after speaker on the energy transition, renewables, E&Ps' corporate strategy and global energy scenarios. He holds an MSc in Physics from Norwegian University of Science and Technology.