Rimini, Italy
Italy is taking center stage in the new energy landscape with the launch of KEY – The Energy Transition Expo, organized by the Italian Exhibition Group (IEG).
Recognized as a leading platform in Europe, Africa, and the Mediterranean for energy transition, the event runs until Friday, 6 March.
The Rimini Expo Centre hosts over 125,000 square meters across 24 halls, featuring more than 1,000 exhibiting brands, roughly 30% from abroad.
Over 500 hosted buyers and delegations from 50 countries are expected, supported by the Italian Trade Agency (ITA) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI).
The opening ceremony was attended by Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, Minister for the Environment and Energy Security, with speakers including Maurizio Renzo Ermeti, President of IEG, Anna Montini, Rimini Municipal Councillor for Ecological Transition, Maurizio Forte, Central Director for Export Sectors at ITA, Vinicio Mosé Vigilante, CEO of GSE, and Irene Priolo, Emilia-Romagna Regional Councillor for Environment, Territorial Planning, Mobility, Transport and Infrastructure.
Minister Pichetto Fratin stated:
“Italy believes in renewables and technological neutrality as part of a concrete, non-ideological sustainable development strategy.
International events highlight the importance of investing in energy security while unlocking the full potential of renewables.
Our energy mix includes new, clean, and sustainable nuclear power, alongside other vectors, reflecting an advanced environmental vision based on innovation and quality.”
SSEC – Storage & Solar Expo Conference
KEY 2026 also showcased the SSEC – Storage & Solar Expo Conference, a new B2B event entirely focused on solar energy and energy storage solutions.
Scheduled for 22–23 September 2026 at Vicenza Expo Centre, SSEC aims to provide a compact, specialized format promoting direct business and networking among manufacturers, distributors, EPC contractors, designers, investors, and large energy users.
With a dedicated focus on photovoltaics, storage, and integrated energy management, SSEC aims to become a key reference hub in the energy supply chain, complementing KEY and maintaining market engagement year-round.
Innovations on Display
The Expo highlights the latest European and global innovations, from colored solar panels and sodium-ion batteries to fluidized sand thermal storage systems, residential energy solutions, agrivoltaics, and high-power electric vehicle charging stations.
The KEY HOME project demonstrates a fully smart, efficient, and sustainable building.
Key Events Scheduled
Upcoming events include:
• Presentation of the Report on Energy Sustainability in the Construction Supply Chain (KEY Technical Scientific Committee & FEDERCOSTRUZIONI)
• “EPC and Finance: The New Phase of Renewables” (KEY Technical Scientific Committee & Elemens)
• “Energy and Innovation: International Cooperation for Energy Transition” (MASE, UNDP, UNEP)
• “Energy Efficiency for Competitiveness, Energy Security, and Decarbonization” (AGICI)
• “Women in the Energy Sector: Numbers, Roles, and Dynamics” (Italia Solare & KEY)
• “Good News, Bad News, Fake News: Renewables Between Narrative and Reality” (Italy4Climate)
• “Electric Vehicle Charging Network in Italy and Europe” (GSE & Motus-E)
• “Solar PV/Wind and Battery Storage: Keys to Energy Self-Sufficiency – Driving Africa’s Energy Transition”
(Res4Africa)
• “Energy and Transport: IEA Scenarios Between Technological Innovation and Supply Security” (IEA, Motus-E & KEY)
DPE – International Electricity Expo
In parallel, the DPE – International Electricity Expo also opened, focusing on electricity generation, transmission, distribution, safety, and automation.
The event is organized by IEG in collaboration with the Distributed Generation Association and Federazione ANIE, representing companies in electrical engineering, electronics, and industrial contracting within the Confindustria network.
