The renewable energy sector is facing significant challenges as high interest rates and uncertainty over future energy policies dampen investor confidence.
According to data from LSEG Lipper, funds investing in renewable energy stocks experienced a substantial outflow of $4.8 billion in the first quarter of this year, marking the largest quarterly withdrawal on record. Among the funds affected, the Handelsbanken Hallbar Energi (A1 SEK) saw the most significant outflows, totaling $458 million, followed by the iShares Global Clean Energy ETF and the Ninety One Global Environment Fund R Acc GBP, with outflows of $335 million and $226 million, respectively.
The S&P Global Clean Energy index, which includes major solar and wind power companies along with other renewables-related businesses, has declined by nearly 10% this year. In contrast, the S&P 500 Energy Index, dominated by oil and gas companies, has seen a 16.3% increase.
Despite growing concerns about climate change and the urgent need to transition to renewable energy sources, global renewable energy capacity is expanding at a pace insufficient to meet targets set at last year’s COP28 climate summit in Dubai. The dwindling investor interest in the sector could further impede progress towards achieving climate objectives.
The world’s leading wind power groups, including Siemens Energy, Orsted, and Vestas, are forecasting a challenging year ahead due to regulatory delays, equipment issues, and rising costs.
In the United States, many solar, wind, and energy storage projects have benefited from President Joe Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act passed in 2022. However, there is now concern that potential policy shifts, particularly if Donald Trump were to win November’s election, could reverse some of these incentives and redirect support back to fossil fuel production.
