From 4 to 6 March 2026, the Rimini Expo Centre will transform into a global hub for energy transition with the return of KEY – The Energy Transition Expo, the flagship event organised by Italian Exhibition Group (IEG) for Europe, Africa and the Mediterranean region. The 2026 edition will bring together institutions, companies, researchers and policymakers to build the new energy ecosystem, with a strong emphasis on efficiency, innovation and decarbonisation.
The programme, defined by KEY’s Technical Scientific Committee chaired by Professor Gianni Silvestrini, promises in-depth analyses of new regulations, technology trends and the latest solutions designed to help companies control and reduce energy costs.
Finance and Innovative Tools to Support the Energy Transition
Finance is emerging as a decisive lever for accelerating the shift towards clean energy. KEY 2026 will explore solutions such as PPAs, dedicated investment funds, green bonds and innovative financing models that help companies stabilise energy expenditures.
Panels will examine incentives, risk-mitigation mechanisms, cost-benefit analyses and participatory models involving citizens, enterprises and communities. The goal: to unlock capital and accelerate decarbonisation.
ForumTech: Focus on Photovoltaic Innovation
The event will also host a new edition of ITALIA SOLARE’s ForumTech, dedicated to the latest technological and regulatory developments in the photovoltaic industry. Experts will discuss digitalisation, smart monitoring, advanced energy management and the integration of solar systems with modern storage solutions.
Energy Sustainability in the Construction Supply Chain
For the first time, KEY will present a Report on Energy Sustainability in the Construction Sector, produced with FEDERCOSTRUZIONI. This strategic document will assess how the construction supply chain can contribute to national and European decarbonisation goals.
New Technologies: AI, IoT and the Decarbonised Built Environment
Innovation remains at the heart of the 2026 edition. AI, data centres, predictive maintenance, IoT and advanced energy management systems will be highlighted as key enablers for renewable plant optimisation and the decarbonisation of buildings and urban environments.
Renewables, Storage and the Future Energy System
Renewables and storage technologies will dominate much of the discussion:
- Photovoltaics and agrivoltaics across Europe and beyond
- Offshore wind power innovations and the first authorised projects in Italy
- Industrial and grid-scale storage systems for stability and flexibility
- Hydroelectric power and investment unlock strategies
A dedicated focus will explore territorial acceptance, a central issue for deploying large-scale renewable projects.
Ports as Strategic Hubs for the Green Transition
Ports are poised to become critical platforms for offshore energy development. KEY 2026 will analyse infrastructure upgrades, public-private partnerships and competitiveness strategies, bringing together institutions, port authorities and private operators.
Energy Efficiency and the Future of Sustainable Cities
The expo will spotlight the essential role of energy efficiency in decarbonisation. Topics will include:
- Public housing efficiency within the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP)
- Solutions for SMEs and ESCOs
- White certificates, M&V and energy accounting
- Smart public lighting
- Next-generation smart meters
Hydrogen: The Vector Powering Hard-to-Abate Sectors
Hydrogen will occupy a central place in KEY 2026, particularly regarding:
- Italian regional Hydrogen Valleys
- Clean technology manufacturing in Europe under the Net Zero Industry Act
- E-fuels for decarbonising heavy transport
The partnership with Hannover Fairs International GmbH (HFI) will bring international insights and real business cases within the HYPE – Hydrogen Power Expo area.
Electric Mobility and the Charging Infrastructure of the Future
The transition toward electric mobility will be analysed through:
- The latest regulatory developments, including AFIR regulations
- Charging infrastructures for light and heavy vehicles across Europe
- Fleet electrification strategies for businesses
- Vehicle-to-grid synergies
- Battery innovation and workforce training needs
Africa: Energy Self-Sufficiency and Sustainable Growth
Two events organised by Res4Africa will explore Africa’s path toward reliable and sustainable electricity through photovoltaics and storage systems. The focus will be on strengthening financing tools to support the continent’s fast-growing markets.
Renewable Energy Communities: A Fair and Inclusive Transition
Italy’s Renewable Energy Communities (RECs) will receive significant attention, with presentations of best practices by Legambiente, Kyoto Club’s BeComE project, AzzeroCO2, and insights from the ENEA Observatory. Special attention will be given to REC development in schools.
Regulations and Future Scenarios
Regulatory updates, debunking energy myths, investment opportunities and global geopolitical challenges will be widely analysed. KEY will also present the first Green Paper on Energy Transition, developed with leading Italian energy efficiency associations.
More details and programme updates are available on the official website.
KEY CHOICE – Unlock the Future of PPAs
On 3 March 2026, ahead of the main event, Rimini’s Palacongressi Conference Centre will host the third edition of KEY CHOICE, the B2B gathering dedicated to the future of Power Purchase Agreements, organised by IEG in partnership with Elemens.
