Twenty-four pavilions, 125,000 square metres of exhibition space, and 1,056 exhibiting companies, including 315 from abroad. These are the numbers behind Key – The Energy Transition Expo 2026, set to open its doors in Rimini, marking the fourth independent edition of the event dedicated to energy transition. According to Alessandra Astolfi, Global Exhibition Director of the Green & Technology division of the Italian Exhibition Group, the figures paint a dynamic picture of the sector's health, both in Italy and beyond.
“2025 is the year in which, globally, renewables surpassed coal. And the most competitive, fastest-to-install and scalable technology remains photovoltaics,” explains Astolfi. It is no coincidence that solar energy – in all its forms, from storage to agrivoltaics – will be the star of the show with new dedicated areas, together with monitoring systems, software and artificial intelligence applications for plant management.
Many new features are planned. First of all, the pavilion reserved for EPC contractors (Engineering, Procurement and Construction) and the one for finance. A clear signal: the game is no longer played solely on technological innovation but on the ability to build and finance utility-scale plants. “Without adequate financial instruments, construction sites risk coming to a standstill. The issue of timing and investment certainty is central,” Astolfi points out. It all kicks off on 3 March at the Palacongressi in Rimini with KEY CHOICE, a platform for those who want to develop the PPA (power purchase agreement) market in Italy.
Alongside solar and wind power, KEY is investing heavily in energy efficiency, which will be the focus of two pavilions and two in-depth reports, developed with Federcostruzioni and with the technical and scientific support of ENEA. Efficiency, Astolfi emphasises, is “a crossover target, difficult to confine to a single space”, but crucial to achieving decarbonisation goals.
A position well exemplified by the first demo experience of Key – The Energy Transition Expo: a prototype “green house”, a smart environment in which systems, air quality and materials communicate in a single integrated ecosystem. A practical workshop on what it means to combine technology and living comfort.
Key, a European and Mediterranean platform, not just for Italy
In terms of international standing, KEY aims to distinguish itself from other major European events with a more vertical focus – such as Intersolar in Munich for photovoltaics or Wind Hamburg for wind power – by adopting a systemic approach. “We have decided to embrace the entire energy transition. Technologies are complementary and vary according to territory and needs,” explains Astolfi. And the transition cannot be achieved with companies from a single country. “This is why we want to reinforce our European profile and look to both the Mediterranean and Asian areas. China has always had a strong presence, whereas the new additions are delegations from India and Turkey. A choice consistent with the debate on European industrial policies, from the Net-Zero Industry Act to the Critical Raw Materials Act, and the need to consolidate a continental supply chain for green technologies.”
With this in mind, the Africa Investment Hub was created, dedicated to economic cooperation with countries such as Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Ivory Coast, Senegal and South Africa. The aim is to facilitate matching between Italian and European companies and markets experiencing strong demographic and industrial growth, in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ICE (Italian Trade Agency) and industry associations. “Africa has raw materials, space and growing energy needs: it is a strategic partner.”
Politics, regulations and industry: a necessary dialogue
Amidst the ongoing debate on the Energy Decree, KEY continues to serve as a platform for institutional dialogue. Minister Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, members of parliament and ambassadors from various governments, leaders from GSE and ENEA, as well as representatives from the European Commission are all expected to attend.
Particularly noteworthy is the participation of the International Energy Agency (IEA), which will preview part of a study on decarbonisation at KEY before its official launch in Rome. For Astolfi, “this is an important signal: KEY is recognised as a reference point in Europe”.
For an overview of the situation, also in the wake of the latest Energy Decree, it will be worth keeping an eye on the inaugural event on 4 March with industry associations and the presentation of a report on the critical issues for achieving decarbonisation targets, featuring a direct comparison between industry and institutions.
“We are in a phase of great acceleration of the transition, with huge new opportunities in Asia and Africa, and Europe has no intention of slowing down on energy,” concludes Astolfi. “KEY is the place to be to make sure you are at the heart of this transformation.”
Cover: Envato image