Mr Martins talks about the development of new solar power technology, and the potential for microgeneration in future years.

The New Economy: Martifer is a big player in what some still se as quite a new sector, so what is the advantage of being such an established presence in the renewable energy market.

Jorge Martins: Renewable energy has been quite a sexy industry and has attracted a lot of new competitors over the last 5 years. When we decided to step into the business in 2003 it was not so sexy and we entered as a tower producer, that was the know how we brought from steal structures. But once you are one of the early movers in the industry you become well known and a lot of new business will start to come to you.

The New Economy: Which are the most promising growth markets for Martifer Group, the ones with the greatest potential?

Jorge Martins: We still believe that metallic construction has a lot of potential and we are getting big contracts. For instance in Morrocco we got a contract with Renault, in Germany we got the Austen Factory but we believe that in Brazil new geographies will allow us to grow. We believe solar has great potential to grow within the solar division.

The New Economy: How important is it that governments back the renewable energy sector with real incentives, not just promises?

Jorge Martins: When we have the price of a technology that is not something against oil and gas, we need some kind of incentive. For short term, for the next few years, I think it is very important to have a medium/large term of incentives to keep the industry. There are different ways to play these incentives, you can fit a tarrif or you give direct incentives to investors, or you have a mandatory corporation of renewal energy. That, I believe, can be the role for the future.

The New Economy: If you had to choose one particular area of energy renewal able energy that you think is the one with the best potential, what would it be?

Jorge Martins: I think after wind next, there will be solar. Comparing with what we have seen in the past with personal computers I imagine that each house will have a micro generation system based on solar or wind, but basically on solar.

The New Economy: When did you first begin to become really interested, really passionate, about renewable energy and it’s potential in business?

Jorge Martins: Our decision is from 2003, particularly in wind energy. Once you step into renewables you start to see a lot of opportunities and the pressure from Kiol to protocol made us believe that the future will be renewable. That is why we invest a lot and we are keeping our activities in renewables. In this particular moment we have more difficulties with financing. Our customers are finding it more difficult to finance their projects and it is the same for us. But we believe the future will come and will be in better shape. We have seen this scenario in 2004/2005 when the industry was gleaming and we have seen this over the last 3/4 years with how we achieved the 30 jigger in the wind.

The New Economy: Obviously you are taking a long term view?

Jorge Martins: Yes, in the long term, renewables will be there for sure. There is no doubt about that.