Types of renewable energy and investment options October 31, 2022

Types of renewable energy and investment options

Read the related article about Renewable ETFs and Green Bonds here!

The use of fossil fuels such as coal, crude oil and natural gas has contributed greatly to the emission of greenhouse gases such as Carbon Dioxide, Methane and Nitrous Oxide. They cause heat to be trapped within our ozone layer, leading to major climate change. The energy from the burning of fossil fuels goes towards transportation (27%), electricity (25%), industry (24%), and commercial & residential uses (13%). The burning of agriculturale waste has also contributed to about 11% of greenhouse gas emissions. [Sources of Greenhouse Gas Emissions, 2022]

The greenhouse effect has led to adverse climate change over the past 140 years as shown by the graph below. The annual mean temperature index has been rising gradually, from sub-zero centigrade in 1880s-1920s to surpassing zero degree centigrade in the 1940s. Due to rapid industrialisation, temperatures started climbing exponentially after the 1980s. [Climate Change, N. G. C. (n.d.)]


Types of renewable energy and investment options

Source: NASA (2)


Stocks

Worsening climate conditions have hastened the need for renewable energy. The value of using renewable energy comes from its sustainability and the absence of pollution from generating this energy. In 2021, at the United Nations Climate Change Conference, or 2021 Conference of the Parties (COP26), the participating members advocated for policies to promote renewable energy use. [The growth of Renewable electricity is accelerating worldwide, supporting the emergence of a new global energy economy – News. (n.d.)] The ratio of global renewable energy generation to total energy generated rose from 36.6% in 2020 to 38.3% in 2021, which also translates to an addition of 257GW of energy generation. Furthermore, global renewable energy generation amounted to 3,064GW. As of 2021, hydropower makes up the largest share at 1,230GW, followed by solar and wind energy at 849GW and 825GW respectively. [Global renewable energy installed capacity rose 9% in 2021. (n.d.)]

According to the International Energy Agency, the global renewable energy capacity is forecast to surge by more than 60% to reach over 4,800GW in 2026; this value is also the current level of global power consumption generated through fossil fuels and nuclear power.

This brings us to the main theme of this article where we will address various points as such as:

  • Types of renewable energy
  • Investment products that relate to renewable energy


1. Wind & Solar Energy

Wind energy is highly popular in areas, where there are high mountains or vast open spaces with no restrictions. Basically, it makes use of strong winds to spin a turbine, which in turn spins the rotor connected to the generator. Through this process, kinetic energy from wind is converted into electricity through the generator.

For solar energy, facilities are mostly built on flat land or even reservoirs to convert sunlight into energy through photovoltaic (PV) panels or through mirrors that concentrate solar radiation.

Due to the sustainability of this renewable energy, corporations and fund houses are incorporating renewable energy into their investment portfolio, in turn allowing investors to take a stake as well.

Here are some financial instruments that incorporate wind energy.

  • Keppel Infrastructure Trust (KIT)

KIT is a large diversified business trust listed in Singapore with S$6.1 billion in assets under management (AUM). Incorporated in 2007, it is a key leader in three core segments: Energy Transition; Environmental Services and Distribution & Storage. These core businesses provide essential services such as waste management, energy generation and storage facilities.

This allows KIT to generate regular and resilient cash flows with growing potential for further acquisitions to enlarge the portfolio.

The most noteworthy of its recent acquisitions would be the European Onshore Wind Platform and the German Offshore Wind Farm (BKR2). The European Onshore Wind Platform was jointly invested in with Keppel Renewable Investments Pte. Ltd. (KRI) and has Fred Olsen Renewables AS as their operating partner. Fred Olsen Renewables is one of the largest renewable energy producers in Northern Europe.

As for BKR2, it was jointly acquired with KRI and has Orsted AS as the operating partner. Orsted AS is the largest developer and operator of offshore windfarms in the world.

Considering the co-investment with KRI, KIT will eventually own stakes of 13.4% and 20.5% in the European Onshore Wind Platform and BKR2 respectively. The combined output from both facilities will provide up to 723GW of energy [Keppel Infrastructure Trust investor presentation (2022, August 30)], which based on the average EU country’s energy consumption of 2,500KW to 5,000KW, would be able to provide energy to between 144,600 and 289,200 households. [Statistics Explained. (n.d.)]

Types of renewable energy and investment options

  • Sembcorp Industries

Sembcorp Industries, a leading energy and urban solutions provider in the Singapore market, strives to play a role in constructing a sustainable future. Leveraging its energy-related expertise and solutions, it was able to grow its renewable energy business segment into a leading provider of sustainable solutions.

Furthermore, it is a constituent of the Straits Times Index (STI) and various sustainability indices such as FTSE4Good Index and iEdge SG ESG indices. [Sembcorp – About Sembcorp. (n.d.)]

Since the start of its commitment to go green in end- 2020, Sembcorp Industries has increased its portfolio of renewable energy farms from 3.2GW in 2020 to 7.1GW (taking into account both installed and under development capacity) in 1H22. This is an incredible 122% growth in renewable energy production, but Sembcorp Industries is not stopping there.

According to the company’s direction, it is aiming to achieve a 10GW capacity by the end of 2025, and is on its way to doing so.

Considering Sembcorp Industries’s wind energy portfolio, its largest source of renewable energy is mainly situated in China and India with a combined production capacity of 4.98GW. This is comprised of 3.02GW from China and 1.96GW from India with about 9% of it still under development. [Sembcorp Industries 1H2022 Results Announcement (2022, August 5)]

Types of renewable energy and investment options

Sembcorp Industries is one of the giants in the solar energy sector. Its solar assets in Singapore, Vietnam, China and India generate a gross capacity of 1.466GW of power. It acquired its first solar energy asset in India but has since expanded to other Southeast Asian countries. To top it off, it just completed one of the world’s largest inland floating solar farms in Singapore with a capacity of 60MW at Tengah and also built a 400MW solar power farm in India, in line with the nation’s direction towards clean energy. [Sembcorp – About Sembcorp. (n.d.)]

Types of renewable energy and investment options


2. Hydrogen Fuel Power

Hydrogen in itself is considered a clean fuel; when consumed in an energy generation process, it produces a byproduct of only water. Generally, during the thermal process, steam reacts with hydrocarbon fuel to produce hydrogen, which in turn acts as an energy carrier. [Hydrogen Fuel Basics. (n.d.)]

  • Keppel Corporation

Keppel Corp’s subsidiary, Keppel Energy, recently reached an agreement to develop a 600MW advanced combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power plant. It is set to be the first hydrogen-ready power plant in Singapore. The S$750M development is set to operate with 30% hydrogen content and can even shift to run purely based on hydrogen. The plant is expected to be completed in 1H2026 and will have lower emission intensity and higher operation flexibility. The main advantage of this power plant is that it will be able to cut down up to 220,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year, which loosely translates to a removal of 47,000 cars from the roads annually. This will also allow Keppel Corp to grow its power generation portfolio from 1,300MW to 1,900 MW. [Keppel to develop Singapore’s first hydrogen-ready power plant (2022, August 30)]

This is also in line with Singapore’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 36% from 2005 to 2030.


Reference:

Disclaimer

These commentaries are intended for general circulation. It does not have regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation and particular needs of any person who may receive this document. Accordingly, no warranty whatsoever is given and no liability whatsoever is accepted for any loss arising whether directly or indirectly as a result of any person acting based on this information. Opinions expressed in these commentaries are subject to change without notice. Investments are subject to investment risks including the possible loss of the principal amount invested. The value of the units and the income from them may fall as well as rise. Past performance figures as well as any projection or forecast used in these commentaries are not necessarily indicative of future or likely performance. Phillip Securities Pte Ltd (PSPL), its directors, connected persons or employees may from time to time have an interest in the financial instruments mentioned in these commentaries. Investors may wish to seek advice from a financial adviser before investing. In the event that investors choose not to seek advice from a financial adviser, they should consider whether the investment is suitable for them.

The information contained in these commentaries has been obtained from public sources which PSPL has no reason to believe are unreliable and any analysis, forecasts, projections, expectations and opinions (collectively the “Research”) contained in these commentaries are based on such information and are expressions of belief only. PSPL has not verified this information and no representation or warranty, express or implied, is made that such information or Research is accurate, complete or verified or should be relied upon as such. Any such information or Research contained in these commentaries are subject to change, and PSPL shall not have any responsibility to maintain the information or Research made available or to supply any corrections, updates or releases in connection therewith. In no event will PSPL be liable for any special, indirect, incidental or consequential damages which may be incurred from the use of the information or Research made available, even if it has been advised of the possibility of such damages. The companies and their employees mentioned in these commentaries cannot be held liable for any errors, inaccuracies and/or omissions howsoever caused. Any opinion or advice herein is made on a general basis and is subject to change without notice. The information provided in these commentaries may contain optimistic statements regarding future events or future financial performance of countries, markets or companies. You must make your own financial assessment of the relevance, accuracy and adequacy of the information provided in these commentaries.

Views and any strategies described in these commentaries may not be suitable for all investors. Opinions expressed herein may differ from the opinions expressed by other units of PSPL or its connected persons and associates. Any reference to or discussion of investment products or commodities in these commentaries is purely for illustrative purposes only and must not be construed as a recommendation, an offer or solicitation for the subscription, purchase or sale of the investment products or commodities mentioned.

Contact us to Open an Account

Need Assistance? Share your Details and we’ll get back to you

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

This material is provided by Phillip Capital Management (S) Ltd (“PCM”) for general information only and does not constitute a recommendation, an offer to sell, or a solicitation of any offer to invest in any of the exchange-traded fund (“ETF”) or the unit trust (“Products”) mentioned herein. It does not have any regard to your specific investment objectives, financial situation and any of your particular needs. You should read the Prospectus and the accompanying Product Highlights Sheet (“PHS”) for key features, key risks and other important information of the Products and obtain advice from a financial adviser (“FA“) pursuant to a separate engagement before making a commitment to invest in the Products. In the event that you choose not to obtain advice from a FA, you should assess whether the Products are suitable for you before proceeding to invest. A copy of the Prospectus and PHS are available from PCM, any of its Participating Dealers (“PDs“) for the ETF, or any of its authorised distributors for the unit trust managed by PCM.  

An ETF is not like a typical unit trust as the units of the ETF (the “Units“) are to be listed and traded like any share on the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited (“SGX-ST”). Listing on the SGX-ST does not guarantee a liquid market for the Units which may be traded at prices above or below its NAV or may be suspended or delisted. Investors may buy or sell the Units on SGX-ST when it is listed. Investors cannot create or redeem Units directly with PCM and have no rights to request PCM to redeem or purchase their Units. Creation and redemption of Units are through PDs if investors are clients of the PDs, who have no obligation to agree to create or redeem Units on behalf of any investor and may impose terms and conditions in connection with such creation or redemption orders. Please refer to the Prospectus of the ETF for more details.  

Investments are subject to investment risks including the possible loss of the principal amount invested. The purchase of a unit in a fund is not the same as placing your money on deposit with a bank or deposit-taking company. There is no guarantee as to the amount of capital invested or return received. The value of the units and the income accruing to the units may fall or rise. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of the future or likely performance of the Products. There can be no assurance that investment objectives will be achieved.  

Where applicable, fund(s) may invest in financial derivatives and/or participate in securities lending and repurchase transactions for the purpose of hedging and/or efficient portfolio management, subject to the relevant regulatory requirements. PCM reserves the discretion to determine if currency exposure should be hedged actively, passively or not at all, in the best interest of the Products.  

The regular dividend distributions, out of either income and/or capital, are not guaranteed and subject to PCM’s discretion. Past payout yields and payments do not represent future payout yields and payments. Such dividend distributions will reduce the available capital for reinvestment and may result in an immediate decrease in the net asset value (“NAV”) of the Products. Please refer to <www.phillipfunds.com> for more information in relation to the dividend distributions.  

The information provided herein may be obtained or compiled from public and/or third party sources that PCM has no reason to believe are unreliable. Any opinion or view herein is an expression of belief of the individual author or the indicated source (as applicable) only. PCM makes no representation or warranty that such information is accurate, complete, verified or should be relied upon as such. The information does not constitute, and should not be used as a substitute for tax, legal or investment advice.  

The information herein are not for any person in any jurisdiction or country where such distribution or availability for use would contravene any applicable law or regulation or would subject PCM to any registration or licensing requirement in such jurisdiction or country. The Products is not offered to U.S. Persons. PhillipCapital Group of Companies, including PCM, their affiliates and/or their officers, directors and/or employees may own or have positions in the Products. Any member of the PhillipCapital Group of Companies may have acted upon or used the information, analyses and opinions herein before they have been published. 

This advertisement has not been reviewed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.  

 

Phillip Capital Management (S) Ltd (Co. Reg. No. 199905233W)  
250 North Bridge Road #06-00, Raffles City Tower ,Singapore 179101 
Tel: (65) 6230 8133 Fax: (65) 65383066 www.phillipfunds.com