Latest news with #energytransformation
Irish Times
28-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
New think tank set up to focus on Irish energy policy
A new think tank aimed at influencing energy policy is to be launched in Dublin on Tuesday. The group, called Trifecta Ireland, is founded by renewable energy practitioner and investor Lesley O'Connor. The new organisation said it aims to 'reshape how policy and decision makers are thinking about energy transformation, and to realise the social, environmental and economic opportunities arising'. The group said it will work with the State and the private sector, as well as with the science community, to 'create conditions for greater investment in electrification and renewable energy infrastructure'. READ MORE 'Ireland is blessed with abundant wind and ample solar, but what we lack today is a unified vision and implementation plan that connects policy, investment, innovation and society,' said Ms O'Connor. 'Without this we risk being a bystander in the electric revolution. 'Trifecta Ireland will help address these challenges. We want to inspire urgent action.' Ms O'Connor is the daughter of the late Eddie O'Connor , who was cofounder of Mainstream Renewable Energy and founder of Eirtricity, now SSE Airtricity . [ Eddie O'Connor obituary: Global entrepreneur in the energy sector and radical thinker Opens in new window ] Conall Bolger has been appointed chief executive. Mr Bolger has worked in renewable energy for almost two decades in roles with Airtricity, Mainstream Renewable Power, Cornwall Insight and the Crown Estate. He was most recently the chief executive of Solar Ireland. Jim Breslin, who is a co-founder of the group, will chair the advisory board. Trifecta said he has 'deep experience in public policy' having been secretary general of three different government departments. Among Trifecta's initial priorities will be the drafting of a 'vision and roadmap' for the 'transformation' of Ireland's energy systems. 'The plan will take a whole system view and will be developed with key stakeholders, it said. 'The aim is to build consensus around a credible shared pathway to a decarbonised energy system by 2050.' Arising from this roadmap, Trifecta said it will deliver projects focused on shorter-term 'decarbonisation wins' and encouraging capital flows to help 'supercharge the transition', it said.
Zawya
16-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Africa-First Energy Policies: Turning Vision into Investment
Africa is entering a pivotal phase in its energy transformation, characterized by a growing shift toward 'Africa-first' energy policies. Despite contributing less than 4% to global emissions, Africa faces the world's most severe energy access challenges – with approximately 600 million people lacking electricity and 900 million without clean cooking solutions. With $47 billion in oil and gas capex in 2024 – a 23% increase year-over-year – Africa is proving its value as a competitive and resilient energy investment destination. This surge reflects growing investor appetite, strengthened policy frameworks and a renewed focus on project bankability. In this context, African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies 2025 – taking place from September 29 to October 3 in Cape Town – serves as the continent's leading forum for turning vision into tangible investment. With a focus on public-private partnerships (PPPs), blended finance and strategic energy projects, the event brings together government leaders, financiers, developers and technology providers to advance deals, foster collaboration and position Africa as a global energy leader. Building Institutions for Local Investment A wave of institutional and policy advancements is laying the groundwork for increased local investment in energy. A key milestone is the establishment of the Africa Energy Bank (AEB) by the African Petroleum Producers' Organization (APPO) and Afreximbank, with an initial capital of $5 billion. Headquartered in Abuja and set to launch in June 2025, the AEB will finance oil and gas infrastructure projects, serving as a bold step toward regional energy self-sufficiency and resource sovereignty. At the same time, the African Development Bank (AfDB) is supporting long-term energy planning. In Algeria, the AfDB has launched a strategic dialogue to shape the 2025–2030 Country Strategy Paper, aligning national goals with sustainable, diversified energy development. In South Africa, the success of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Program (REIPPPP) illustrates how structured procurement can generate market certainty. The latest round secured 1,760 MW of solar PV capacity backed by R31.4 billion ($1.7 billion) in investment — with 49% local ownership and 46% equity held by Black Economic Empowerment entities. Scaling Investment through PPPs and Blended Finance As Africa's energy project pipeline expands, PPPs and blended finance have become essential tools for scaling investment. The AfDB's $10 million concessional equity stake in the ARM-Harith Successor Infrastructure Equity Fund, a $200 million regional vehicle, highlights how development finance institutions can de-risk infrastructure and crowd in private capital. The fund supports AfDB's target to electrify 300 million people by 2030 through sustainable energy solutions. Meanwhile, South Africa's Battery Energy Storage Independent Power Producer Procurement Program illustrates the power of blended finance in scaling innovation. With R12.8 billion ($678.8 million) allocated to eight projects delivering 615 MW of storage across three provinces, the initiative enhances grid stability and achieved a 35% cost reduction from the first bid round – a clear sign of growing cost efficiency. Frameworks for African-Led Growth The African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), ratified by over 48 countries, offers a powerful framework for prioritizing African-led energy development. By promoting intra-African investment flows and removing trade barriers, AfCFTA enables energy projects to be sourced, financed and executed within the continent. With Ghana spearheading the AfCFTA Guided Trade Initiative – engaging eight pilot countries – the agreement is fostering regional cooperation to scale African energy solutions and reduce external dependency. Once fully operational across more than 50 member states, AfCFTA is set to accelerate an Africa-first approach to infrastructure, technology, and capital deployment in the energy sector. Meanwhile, the African Energy Commission continues to strengthen institutional cooperation across the African Union to support sovereign energy strategies. A prime example of African private-sector leadership is Coscharis Technologies' $4 billion solar project in Nigeria – the largest renewable energy initiative in West Africa – reflecting a shift toward domestically-driven, large-scale investment in clean energy that aligns with national priorities and regional ambitions. 'Africa's energy future must be shaped by African priorities, African solutions and African investment. At AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025, we are not just talking about the energy transition – we are driving real deals and partnerships that put Africa-led development at the center of the global energy conversation,' states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber. About AEW: Invest in African Energies: AEW: Invest in African Energies is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit for more information about this exciting event.
Gulf Business
16-05-2025
- Business
- Gulf Business
Masdar issues $1bn green bond, brings total programme to $2.75bn
Image: Masdar/ For illustrative purposes Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company – Masdar – has issued a new $1bngreen bond, boosting its total outstanding under the green bond programme to $2.75bn. The latest issuance was structured in two equal tranches of $500m, with tenors of five and 10 years and respective coupon rates of 4.875 per cent and 5.375 per cent. The offering drew robust investor interest, with a peak orderbook of $6.6bn, significantly oversubscribed by both regional and international investors, including dedicated green funds. Spreads over US Treasuries were finalised at 80 basis points for the 5-year tranche and 90 basis points for the 10-year, marking the tightest pricing the company has achieved to date. Allocation was split 85 per cent to international investors and 15 per cent to investors in the MENA region. Third issuance to fund portfolio capacity targets, says Masdar CEO 'This third issuance demonstrates the continued and growing confidence the investment community places in Masdar's financial strength and long-term vision,' said Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, CEO of Masdar. 'The funds raised will be critical in Masdar achieving its portfolio capacity targets and will enable us to support energy transformation across the globe, especially in emerging markets and developing economies… giving investors complete confidence as to how their money is being spent.' The company previously issued green bonds of $750m and $1bn in 2023 and 2024 respectively. All proceeds from its green bond programme are allocated exclusively to new 'dark green' renewable energy projects in both developed and developing economies. Read: In 2024, 'This latest green bond issuance, aligned with our Green Finance Framework, underscores the overwhelming investor confidence in our financial resilience and strategic direction,' said Mazin Khan, CFO of Masdar. 'Masdar is raising sustainable finance on an industrial scale… giving investors the opportunity to play their part in the green financing agenda.' Green Finance Framework update in 2024 The clean energy giant updated its Green Finance Framework in March 2024, expanding eligible categories to include green hydrogen and standalone battery storage projects. In April, Moody's reaffirmed the framework's top-tier Sustainability Quality Score of SQS1 (Excellent). The bond was rated AA- by Fitch and A1 by Moody's, in line with its corporate credit ratings. Joint lead managers and bookrunners for the issuance were First Abu Dhabi Bank, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, J.P. Morgan, ING, Intesa Sanpaolo, Bank of China, DBS Bank, BNP Paribas and Crédit Agricole.
Forbes
07-05-2025
- Automotive
- Forbes
Tesla's Lost Cause
HAWTHORNE, CALIFORNIA - MAY 2: Tesla cars are seen parked and charging at a Tesla Supercharger on ... More May 2, 2025 in Hawthorne, California. (Photo by Jay) Getty Images What happened to Tesla's (NASDAQ:TSLA) mission to drive the most incredible energy transformation? Wean the world off gasoline and hook it up to electric vehicles. It mattered. It still does. Why? One number captures it all. 66% Yes, 66% is the fraction of oil that's used in transportation. See U.S. Oil Consumption By Sector. Think of that. If all cars ran on electricity, petroleum product consumption would drop dramatically, by almost half. The remainder, jet fuel, and harder-to-solve use cases would come soon after. This is why Tesla still matters. Electrifying transport isn't just a cool technology trend - it's a direct assault on the world's biggest source of oil demand. Clearly, Tesla stock is volatile, and if you are looking for potential upside with less volatility than a single stock, consider the High-Quality portfolio , which has outperformed the S&P 500 and delivered returns exceeding 91% since its inception. So what? Look at the two pictures below. Air pollution in the U.S. during Covid-19. That's the first picture. And the second one is business as usual. Air pollution in the U.S. during Covid-19 NASA Scientific Visualization Studio Air pollution in the U.S. before Covid-19 NASA Scientific Visualization Studio Night and day. It's as if we're living in a world shrouded by carbon emissions, and oblivious. But there is something even simpler. Achieving nearly 100% EV in America is still within Tesla's reach. Think: Tesla's EVs can scale in autos. In the same way, Apple's iPhones scaled in mobile phones. Before iPhones, more than 90% of mobile phones were feature phones - yes, they existed. They were everywhere, Motorola Razors, Nokias. They didn't even have internet browsing. EVs as a segment can grow to become all autos. So what happened? It's happening in China! Roughly 40% of all vehicles sold in China in Q1 2025 were EVs or plug-in hybrids. Tesla, however, is losing ground. Its deliveries in China fell 8% in April, even as the broader EV market grew. Local champions like BYD are producing more vehicles, with more tech, at lower prices. But not in America, where it all started. Where did we lose our edge? Our advantage? Our purpose? Tesla's U.S. market share is also slipping. Despite a record Q1 for EVs overall in the U.S., Tesla's share of the U.S. auto market fell to just 3%, down from highs of about 5%. That's not just market dynamics - it's a brand under pressure. Part of the reason is Elon Musk himself. His political endorsements and polarizing behavior have turned off parts of Tesla's core audience. In Europe, Tesla's April sales plunged - down 62% in the UK, 67% in Denmark, 74% in the Netherlands, and 59% in France - even as EV adoption rose in these countries. Cheap gas isn't helping either. U.S. crude prices have dropped below $60 a barrel, meaning that gas vehicles are getting cheaper to run. That undercuts one of the stronger economic cases for going electric. Combine that with a mixed economy, and many customers could start delaying upgrades. Now Musk is back from DOGE business, maybe he'll remember Tesla's bigger energy cause. Growing Tesla from 2 million cars to 20 million cars sold annually is good - good for the environment, good for Tesla, and good for Elon Musk's wealth! There are some tailwinds Tesla could ride on. Trump's tariffs on vehicles could give Tesla an edge due to its sizable domestic manufacturing. A friendly regulatory setup could help Tesla push its autonomous driving features faster to market, giving it a lead over rivals. See: Should Tesla Still Be Valued Like a Growth Stock? Preserve & Grow Wealth With Risk-Focused Quality Portfolios For investors aiming to reduce the inherent volatility associated with individual stocks like Tesla, there are alternative investment strategies available. The Trefis RV strategy , which has a history of outperforming its all-cap stock benchmark, provides a diversified approach to potentially achieve solid returns. Likewise, the High-Quality portfolio has shown superior performance compared to the S&P 500 with returns that exceed 91% since its initiation, offering potential upside with reduced stock-specific risk.
