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[Episode #190] – Financing Utility Scale RE in Developing Countries

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Multilateral development banks (MDBs) like the World Bank are increasingly under pressure to invest more in renewable energy projects in emerging markets. The lack of financing for such projects is a problem at the small, distributed scale as we discussed in Episode #189, and it’s also a problem for utility-scale projects as we discuss in this episode.

In this conversation, Brad Handler, a Program Manager and Researcher at the Sustainable Finance Lab of the Payne Institute at the Colorado School of Mines who tracks various such projects and initiatives, walks us through some recent Energy Transition Mechanisms (or ETMs) and Just Energy Transition (or JET) refinancing projects that aim to close coal plants in the developing world long before the end of their expected lifespans, and replace their generation with renewable power. A former Wall Street Equity Research Analyst with 20 years of experience covering the oil sector, Brad has a deep understanding of how finance in the traditional energy sector works, giving him an excellent perspective on how energy transition financing could work. He does a wonderful job of explaining the oftentimes opaque and complex world of sustainable finance so that it’s comprehensible.

Closing coal plants remains the number-one priority globally for reducing carbon emissions. So although these are still very early days for refinancing projects, it’s worthwhile to examine how and where development banks are finally taking some real steps to accelerate the energy transition in emerging economies, derisking the sector and motivating much more conventional private sector capital to participate.

Guest:

Brad Handler is a Program Manager and Researcher at the Sustainable Finance Lab of the Payne Institute at the Colorado School of Mines.

Brad is currently primarily researching how to spur more private capital to be put toward the Energy Transition. Brad is a former Wall Street Equity Research Analyst with 20 years’ experience covering the Oilfield Services & Drilling (OFS) sector. Most recently he was a Managing Director, Equity Research at Jefferies LLC, following several years at Credit Suisse. While on Wall Street, Brad published regularly on the state of the sector.

Brad’s experience prior to equity research includes business line management and strategic analysis at an Industrial Gases firm and commercial lending. Brad has a B.A. in Economics from Johns Hopkins University and an M.B.A. from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.

On Twitter: @bhandlerenergy

On the Web:  Payne Institute Sustainable Finance Laboratory

Recording date: January 9, 2023

Air date: January 25, 2023

Geek rating: 5