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Opinion

European Power & Renewables: what to look for in 2026

Predictions for the year ahead

1 minute read

Peter Osbaldstone

Research Director, Europe Power

Peter is a research director with more than a decade’s experience in European power and renewables markets.

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Brian Gaylord

Principal Analyst, Global Power & Renewables

Brian produces analysis across power and renewables technologies and regions.

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Oliver McHugh

Senior EV Charging Research Analyst

Oliver analyses the global EV charging market, with a focus on North America.

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Charles Coppins

Research Analyst, Global Wind O&M

Charles covers global onshore wind O&M and turbine end-of-life solutions.

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Sasha Bond-Smith

Research Analyst, EMEA Wind

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Juan Monge

Principal Analyst, Distributed Solar, Europe

Juan covers distributed solar market developments across Europe.

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Isabel Nieto

Storage Research Analyst | Energy transition & market intelligence

Isabel is a research analyst focused on the European, Middle East and African storage markets.

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Anna Darmani

Principal Analyst, Energy Storage EMEA

Anna is a principal analyst focused on the European, Middle East and African storage markets.

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Europe enters 2026 at a pivotal moment in its energy transition. With recent years marked by volatility, price shocks, and the fastpaced deployment of renewables, the power system is showing early signs of stabilising into a more mature – though still materially constrained – market environment. Structural reforms initiated in recent years begin to take effect in 2026, shaping how market participants invest, operate and compete across the value chain.

The central theme of 2026 is transition under pressure: the pressure to integrate unprecedented levels of renewables; the pressure to deliver secure, affordable power; and the pressure to reform regulatory frameworks fast enough to keep pace with the physical system.

Across technologies and regions, the following cross-cutting dynamics will define the market landscape:

  1. A year of easing price pressure, but strategic tension for electrification
  2. Grid modernisation moves to the forefront
  3. Flexibility – both supply and demand – becomes an essential market
    pillar
  4. Renewables investment shifts from pure growth to asset optimisation
  5. Electrification load drivers emerge as major market shapers

Fill in the form at the top of the page to access this complimentary report, which explores all of these themes and more.

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