This project works directly with leading mainstream renewable energy financiers on their perspective of the policy conditions required for accelerating investment into renewable energy. 

Project Aims

By examining specific, usually national or regional, policy developments and the conditions for renewable energy investment, insight can be gained on policy factors that make certain countries or markets attractive key to scaling up capital flows to the sector. This can also help provide greater resolution to the international debate over 'climate finance', or 'low carbon technology' investment.

The project is international in scope, with a focus on the development of the EU Renewables Directive and policy development in the UK marked the 2005-2008 period; and an increasing focus on emerging markets in 2008-2009. Inevitably, the financial crisis and its impact on renewable energy investment was a key topic in late 2008 and throughout 2009. At the international level, input has been made into both the IPCC, as well as into the Financial Flows work of the UNFCCC.

Project Outputs

The format is to hold Finance Roundtables bringing leading financiers together with policy counterparts; with written roundtable summaries. In 2009 a number of such discussions were held on the financial crisis; two Roundtables focusing on emerging markets and one providing an opportunity for an informal exchange between renewable energy financiers and the Deputy Executive Director of the International Energy Agency. In December 2009 papers published described the features of 'investment grade' policy needed. A short Finance Guide for policymakers was also produced to help explain how the finance sector works (written by an experienced project financier).

For further information on the roundtable series or for meeting summaries, contact Kirsty Hamilton.

Publications

London Private Finance Roundtable
Input to the Green Climate Fund consultation

Investing in Renewable Energy in the MENA Region: Financier Perspectives
Working Paper, Kirsty Hamilton, June 2011

Scaling up Renewable Energy in Developing Countries: Finance and Investment Perspectives
Programme Paper, Kirsty Hamilton, April 2010

Unlocking Finance for Clean Energy: The Need for 'Investment Grade' Policy
Programme Paper, Kirsty Hamilton, December 2009

Private Financing of Renewable Energy: A Guide for Policymakers
Paper, December 2009

Renewable Energy: Generating Money
The World Today, Kirsty Hamilton, November 2007

Investors Question EU Trading
Environmental Finance, Kirsty Hamilton, December 2007-January 2008

Clean Energy Investment and the 'New Competitiveness'
Paper based on presentation to the RBS-HMG UK Low Carbon Economy conference, London, Kirsty Hamilton, June, 2008

For meeting summaries contact Kirsty Hamilton

Events

Several invitation-only roundtables for financiers have been held, with participation by leading policy-makers. The results are outlined in the Programme Paper and summary Briefing paper Unlocking Finance for Clean Energy, the Need for 'Investment Grade' Policy, December 2009.

Contact

Kirsty Hamilton
Associate Fellow, Renewable Energy Finance Project
Energy, Environment and Development Programme
Telephone: +44 (0)7986 355 561
Email Kirsty Hamilton