The 4th Central Meeting on Energy Transition in Europe and the Mediterranean – “KEY – The Energy Transition Expo”
Rimini, Italy – March 4, 2026 – The fourth edition of KEY – The Energy Transition Expo opened on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at the Rimini Exhibition Centre, a seaside resort on the Adriatic coast.
- Nearly 1,000 exhibitors (30 % international)
- More than 500 buyers from 50 countries
The event aims to become a global hub for renewable energy and features 18 major conferences covering topics from electric‑vehicle charging networks to breakthroughs in photovoltaics and battery recycling.
A New Scale for the Exhibition
From the moment visitors step inside, the scale is evident: for the first time the expo occupies the entire exhibition site, a deliberate move by the organizers – Key Exhibition Group and its partners – to signal a step‑up in ambition.
The halls are fully dedicated to clean‑energy sectors and are organized around seven key pillars:
- Photovoltaics
- Wind power
- Energy storage
- Energy efficiency
- Electric mobility
- Sustainable cities
- Green hydrogen (see below)
Tunisian Participation
Tunisian renewable‑energy players will be present throughout the three‑day exhibition (March 4‑6, 2026) to boost an already‑confirmed energy cooperation. The private sector is represented by six Tunisian companies, most of them active in solar PV, including Technosol, Sunsol, and Ivasolar.
Hydrogen Takes Center Stage
The 2026 edition dedicates an unprecedented space to hydrogen. In partnership with Hannover Fairs International GmbH, the Hydrogen Power Expo (HYPE) showcases next‑generation electrolyzers, storage solutions, and industrial applications, underlining hydrogen’s strategic role in decarbonisation pathways.
Innovation District
At the heart of the fair lies the expanded Innovation District, where startups and SMEs present solutions that blend artificial intelligence, grid digitalisation, and energy‑flow optimisation.
- The “Green Jobs & Skills” project facilitates matchmaking between companies and talent.
- The Lorenzo Cagnoni Award recognises the most innovative projects on display.
International Reach
More international than ever, the 2026 edition attracts delegations and buyers from Europe, North Africa, the Balkans, and Turkey. Beyond a technology showcase, KEY 2026 positions itself as a strategic platform for partnerships and business deals at a pivotal moment for the global energy transition.
Tunisian‑Italian Energy Partnership
In a statement to the TAP news agency, Ali Kanzari, President of the National Photovoltaic Chamber, described the Tunisia‑Italy energy partnership as “strategic” and “win‑win”.
“Tunisia, through the ELMED 600 MW electricity interconnection project, aims to secure its power supply for summer air‑conditioning (peak demand period), while Italy seeks to guarantee electricity for winter heating,” Kanzari explained.
According to Kanzari, Tunisia’s “Energy Strategy 2035: Roadmap to Carbon Neutrality” includes investments in storage technologies to integrate renewables, with battery solutions already planned.
Tunisia’s 2050 Carbon‑Neutrality Goal
Through a multidimensional energy transition, Tunisia targets carbon neutrality by 2050. The roadmap rests on two fundamental pillars:
- Demand‑side management – improving energy efficiency and promoting sobriety.
- Massive renewable‑energy deployment – aiming for 8,350 MW of installed capacity by 2035.
Additional thrusts include:
- Electrification of end‑uses, especially the promotion of electric vehicles.
- Development of a green‑hydrogen sector to decarbonise industry and become an exporter to Europe.
Securing Supply During the Transition
To guarantee supply security, the strategy calls for:
- Strengthening infrastructure – LNG storage, electricity interconnection with Italy.
- A regulated revival of domestic hydrocarbon production.
The model hinges on a deep reform of governance and public operators (STEG, STIR, ETAP) to ensure a socially just transition, projected to create over 70,000 jobs while protecting the most vulnerable households.
Keywords: Energy Transition Expo, renewable energy, photovoltaics, wind power, energy storage, electric mobility, sustainable cities, green hydrogen, Tunisia‑Italy interconnection, ELMED, carbon neutrality 2050, energy efficiency, green jobs, hydrogen power expo, innovation district.
