3 questions for Mo Siddiqui
How Iqony Renewables makes wind and solar projects a success from start to finish
Renewable energies are a key component of the energy transition - but there is a long way to go before electricity from wind power or photovoltaics is actually fed into the grid. Mo Siddiqui, Group Head of Project Development, explains what is important when it comes to site selection, market strategy and the economic commercialisation of projects.
What are the most important criteria for a successful wind or solar project?
Success does not happen by chance - especially not with renewable energy projects. For a wind or solar farm to work in the long term, three things have to be right: Economic viability, authorisation - and local acceptance.
That's why we don't just look at a site at first glance to see if it's a good fit - we go straight into the details. How high are the wind or solar yields? How close is the grid connection? What environmental or species protection requirements apply? And what are the local conditions?
In the case of wind projects, for example, we check wind reports, topography, distances to residential areas and protected species at an early stage. For solar projects, what counts is high irradiation, little shading and the right area - ideally with additional added value, e.g. through agri-PV or utilisation of converted areas. But technology alone is not enough. If the local residents don't get on board, it will be difficult. That's why we rely on close communication, early involvement and close cooperation with municipalities, property owners and local residents. After all, projects only work in the long term if everyone is behind them.
When you work with us, you don't get an off-the-shelf blueprint. Instead, you get a team that knows what is important - and develops projects in such a way that they are economically viable, approvable and locally anchored.
After the site selection: What are the challenges of actual project realisation in Iqony Renewables' core markets?
The short answer: It depends - on the country, the technology and the specific location.
Every country is different. And that is precisely why it is so important to really know the local conditions. In Germany or France, for example, the main hurdle for wind projects is the authorisation procedure. It's all about species protection, distances, noise protection, public participation - and lots of details. Nothing works without experience and good preparation. We know how to structure such procedures and bring them to a targeted conclusion.
And what about solar projects?
These are often quicker to realise - especially in sunny countries such as Italy. But there are challenges here too: Securing land is competitive, grid connections are scarce and good locations are in high demand. This is exactly where our local presence comes into play. Our local teams know the processes, the contacts - and they are quick when it matters.
Another example is the UK. Commercials take centre stage there - CfDs, PPAs and other market mechanisms. This is also part of project realisation: a strong business model. We have experts on the ground who know exactly what makes the market tick - and what is profitable.
Local expertise, rapid response and a clear goal: projects that are well planned and properly implemented. With our development teams in all four markets, this is exactly what we achieve.
Interested in renewable energies? Get in touch with me!
What makes Iqony Renewables the ideal partner?
As an IPP (Independent Power Producer), we cover the entire value chain - from project development, financing and construction to operation and direct marketing. This enables us to ensure reliable cash flows, transparent structures and contract models that really suit the project and the partner. We are particularly strong in hybrid projects: By intelligently combining wind power, photovoltaics and storage technologies, we create more stable feed-in profiles - a decisive advantage for structured Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) and direct marketing. Our integration into the Iqony Group brings us additional value. With our own trading house and comprehensive energy trading expertise, we develop solutions that fit all markets - whether for long-term power purchase agreements or complex price structures.
And most importantly: our partnership approach. We listen. We think long-term. We stand for fair, stable and contract models.
