How to finance the transition to low-carbon energy in Europe?

TLDR

The study develops a matrix mapping the role and availability of diverse financing sources and new intermediation channels for Europe’s low‑carbon energy transition, using standard scenarios focused on renewables, energy efficiency, and grid investments. To build this matrix, the authors review literature and quantitative data on clean‑energy financing, qualitatively matching supply and demand of specific finance sources in the European context. Their analysis shows that the current financing landscape can provide two to six times the required capital, but institutional investors are reluctant due to policy uncertainty, and additional venture capital and household investment are needed for early‑stage low‑risk projects.

Abstract

In this paper, we use standard scenarios focussing on renewable energy, energy efficiency and grid investments. We take stock of the literature and quantitative data on available sources of financing for clean energy to qualitatively match supply and demand of specific sources of finance in the European context. Our analysis shows that under the current investment mandates and lending criteria the required funds for a successful energy transition are available. In fact, the current landscape of financing sources can provide between two and six times what is necessary. However, institutional investors and lenders such as pension funds and banks in particular are reluctant to invest in the renewable energy or grid infrastructure because of expected (policy) discontinuities. In addition, more venture capital and household investment are needed to finance low-risk small-ticket projects in the early stages of innovative clean energy technologies, to complement the abundantly available funds for large-scale investments. Based on our analysis, we develop a matrix indicating the role and availability of different sources of finance and new intermediation channels in the energy transition and how these should be deployed.