Tag: finance

Power Capital Renewable Energy secures €240m funding for solar assets

Power Capital Renewable Energy, an Irish independent power producer, has secured €240 million in financing to bring 1.2 GW of solar capacity online by 2025. The construction equity facility was given by a consortium of lenders managed by Eiffel Investment Group, which included Belgian insurance company Ethias and the European Investment Bank. 

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The Rise of Climate Fintech

The climate crisis is a defining challenge for Asia and the Pacific, which as a region is the most vulnerable to global warming, and a significant contributor to its cause. Yet, it is not all doom and gloom. Driven by a combination of climate change, finance, and digital technology —collectively known as ‘climate fintech’ — the financial services industry is preparing to address these challenges and capture opportunities for transitioning to a more sustainable economy. 

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Carlyle purchases stake in Aspen Power Partners for $350m

Aspen Power Partners, a US-based solar energy company, has sold a “significant” stake in itself to funds managed by global investment firm Carlyle for $350 million. Aspen plans to use the sale’s revenues to further its organic and acquisition-driven growth strategies in the community, multifamily, and commercial and industrial (C&I) solar and storage markets.

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Capital Dynamics closes $508 million clean energy fund

Capital Dynamics, an independent global private asset management company, has closed its latest clean energy fund with capital commitments totaling $508 million. Capital Dynamics Clean Energy Infrastructure IX (CEI IX) exceeded its $293 million target by approximately 75 per cent.

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Climate Finance for Just Transitions: Briefing

This paper “Climate Finance for Just Transitions: Building Low-Carbon Development Pathways in an Age of US-China Rivalry” by the Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability investigates challenges throughout the international climate finance landscape and recommends pathways for how investments into low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) can more effectively drive low-carbon development. 

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Macquarie Asset Management to sell stake in Lincs offshore wind farm

Macquarie Asset Management has agreed to sell a 15.5 per cent stake in the Lincs Offshore Wind Farm (Lincs) to Octopus Energy Generation funds. The asset manager held the stake through Macquarie European Infrastructure Fund V. No financial details have been disclosed. The 15.5 per cent stake is acquired by Octopus Renewables Infrastructure Trust and Sky, funds managed by Octopus Energy Generation.

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ACCIONA Energía to purchase 50 per cent stake in Blue Circle

Acciona Energía, a subsidiary of Spanish infrastructure company Acciona, has agreed to purchase roughly 50 per cent of Singapore-based wind project developer the Blue Circle. In accordance with the conditions of the agreement, Acciona Energía will invest $34 million in the company and grow to be its largest shareholder.

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Indonesia Green Taxonomy 1.0: Yellow Does Not Mean Go

A green taxonomy is a list that classifies all business activities based on their contribution to environmental aims and thresholds. Launched in January 2022, Indonesia’s Green Taxonomy 1.0 has been designed mainly as a guidance, rather than a mandatory instrument. This, however, may expand in the future, for example, through mandatory disclosures of taxonomy-relevant investment portfolios.

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EnBW sells stake in 600 MW German solar portfolio to ALH Group

Energie Baden-Württemberg (EnBW), a German energy company, sold its 49.9 per cent stake in a portfolio of 597 MW solar projects to Alte Leipziger Hallesche Insurance Group (ALH Group). The solar portfolio consists of 16 solar power parks spread over several German states, including Saxony, Baden-Württemberg, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Baden-Württemberg, and Rhineland-Palatinate.

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China’s new green finance guidelines have a deforestation blind spot

On 1 June, the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission (CBIRC) issued a new set of green guidelines. These lay out detailed expectations for banks and insurance companies to identify, monitor, prevent and control their environmental, social and governance (ESG) risks. Policymakers in China have been showing a growing interest in green finance. Traditionally, policies in the area have mainly focused on encouraging financial flows into supporting green, non-polluting and low-carbon businesses.

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French government plans to acquire 100 per cent ownership of EDF

In order to fully control the energy utility company EDF, the French government has stated its intention to buy out the company’s remaining stakes. The French finance ministry announced in a statement that it has made an offer to purchase the final 16 per cent stake in EDF for $9.85 billion in total or $12.26 for a share. Currently, 84 per cent of the business is owned by the government.

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Climate Finance Needs in Africa

The total cost of implementing NDCs in Africa is estimated at USD 2.8 trillion over 2020- 2030. This includes the estimation of loss and damage when provided by countries. Of this, national governments have committed to providing USD 264 billion (about 10%), with the remaining USD 2.5 trillion identified as climate finance needs. Across all African regions, reported needs greatly exceed country allocations from national government budgets.

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Summit Ridge receives $175 million investment from Apollo Global Management

Apollo Global Management, a private equity firm based in the US, has completed a $175 million strategic investment in Summit Ridge Energy, a company that operates solar power plants across the country. Summit Ridge Energy intends to use the funds to broaden its geographic reach and scale its platform. Summit Ridge Energy has formed two joint ventures worth more than $1 billion since its inception in 2017. 

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Cost of geothermal to remain high in comparison to wind and solar

Over the past decade, the installation cost of geothermal power plants has increased, from USD2,620 per kW in 2010 to USD4,468 per kW in 2020. According to IRENA, geothermal is the second most expensive renewables type by installation cost, closely behind concentrated solar power’s 4,581 USD per kW in 2020.

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Clean Energy Financing in Africa

While Africa accounts for almost one‐fifth of the world’s population, it attracts less than 5% of global energy investment. This is spread unevenly across the continent. Ten countries accounted for 90% of private investment in energy and electricity infrastructure on the continent over the last ten years, South Africa alone accounting for nearly 40%. Total energy investment in Africa was already declining prior to the pandemic and fell even more quickly in 2020, by over 20%.

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Renewable energy as a catalyst for investment and growth in Vietnam

Several high-profile investors have entered Vietnam’s C&I market. The French utility group EDF and its local partner, investment fund VinaCapital, have committed USD100 million over the next three years for a pipeline of 200 MWp of C&I rooftop solar power systems. South Korean conglomerate SK Group has pledged USD200 million and a 250 MWp installation target in the next few years, with local partner Nami Energy.

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Shell to acquire Sprng Energy Group for $1.55 billion

Shell Overseas Investment B.V., a wholly owned subsidiary of Shell plc (Shell), has agreed to acquire a 100 per cent stake of Solenergi Power Private Limited and the Sprng Energy group of companies for $1.55 billion from Actis Solenergi Limited (Actis). The deal is expected to almost triple Shell’s renewable energy capacity in operation, as the company strives to become a net-zero emissions firm by the year 2050. 

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