We talked to Paul Wakefield, Head of Origination at Youdera and Managing Director of Youdera Spain about this and much more.
Can you imagine our country being completely powered by renewable energy by 2050? Do you think we have that potential or a similar one if we put our minds to it?
Spain certainly has the potential to lead this transition. It is important that those of us who invest have the necessary legal certainty to make long-term decisions and that the administrative processes are as streamlined as possible. Many companies in our country have demonstrated their professionalism and vocation to ensure that this transition to renewables is deep and sustained.
Youdera offers solutions for solar energy financing and you are a fintech and a cleantech. In short, what do you do and how is your business model different?
Youdera makes it possible for companies to have self-consumption photovoltaic plants in their facilities without having to make any investment or worry about maintenance, i.e. by paying for the energy they consume from the plant with a contract known as a PPA (Power Purchase Agreement).
Our main advantage is our experience of managing thousands of small self-consumption plants and a significant technical know-how, which gives peace of mind that the plant will be well designed, executed and maintained for the duration of the PPA contract.
Like Triodos Bank, you attach great importance to the decentralisation of energy production. What are its advantages for companies and for our society now that the debate on energy independence or resilience is, of course, on the table?
One of the most important factors is to produce energy where it is consumed, because this reduces transport losses and ensures that the source is renewable. In addition to meeting their environmental objectives, installing decentralised energy production allows companies to demonstrate their commitment to the transition to more sustainable energy.
Can any company provide self-consumption of energy through your proposal or do you target companies of a specific size?
Our company is active in the market with the financing of plants from 30 kW (which corresponds to the volume used by many moderate-sized companies) up to 4 MW.