• The electrification of transport and heat, hydrogen power and smart grid infrastructure are all essential investment areas
• Matching capital with capacity requires new investment models
• China retains top position on renewables index despite slowdown

The report highlights how the deployment of key technologies, such as distributed energy resources, electric vehicles, demand response and energy storage systems, will accelerate in the future. It also projects that to meet the International Energy Agency’s Sustainable Development Scenario, investment in renewable power would have to double from the US$300bn committed in 2018, to an annual average of US$600bn – reaching around US$18.6tn by 2050.

China remains top in this most recent Index due to the sheer size of investments taking place; this is despite a reported 39% reduction in the first half of 2019, which was triggered by the shift from feed-in tariffs to auctions for new wind and solar capacity. The US also retains second place, as its offshore wind pipeline buoys up the future market and solar and onshore wind markets continue to benefit from tax credit subsidies. Despite Brexit uncertainties, the UK climbs to number seven in the Index, with offshore wind auctions promising subsidy-free power. Others rising up the ranking include Spain and Vietnam, mainly due to their booming solar markets, and a re-invigorated Polish market which re-enters the top 40 after a difficult few years.

The report examines how the energy industry can grasp the opportunities presented by a move to net-zero and the obstacles that need to be overcome. This includes being open to more innovative investment models in order to match capital with capacity. For example, a new twist on the yieldco model – where a new company focused on assured cash flow is floated – could help bring energy companies and investors together. This would help match these massive pools of capital with developers who can build the clean energy systems needed to meet net- zero targets.

Commenting on the index’s findings, Christoforos Socratous, Partner and Energy Sector Leader of EY Cyprus, says: “The shift to Renewable Energy Sources is picking up speed throughout the world with four countries already committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, and over 60 more actively considering it. This ongoing transformation is creating new opportunities and challenges for the whole of the energy industry, while also creating an enormous need for capital. As Cyprus is evolving into a regional energy player, we need to carefully consider these changes and our role in the emerging new ecosystem.”