ESG – A Clean Energy Perspective

While ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) investing provide investors a broad spectrum of altruistic causes, the primary purpose of this paper is to explore one of the more popular and thematically specific investment options – Clean Energy. Clean energy encompasses greener (i.e., lower carbon) and sustainable (i.e., renewables) initiatives. We provide an overview of the energy landscape and a thesis for how the clean energy revolution started, where it’s headed and what it may mean for investors.

Addressing the Problem

Climate change is a growing risk and an economic reality. While skeptics have made the topic controversial, the investment thesis is unequivocal. Consumers not only want to invest in broader ESG initiatives, but studies show they are willing to pay more for goods and services to do so. In addition, governments across the globe are moving forcefully with regulations, subsidies, sanctions and incentives resulting in corporate reallocation of capital resources. Innovation in response to a changing climate and alternative energy is also delivering productivity and profitability gains and, consequently, new investment opportunities.

Support is gaining momentum coming out of the global pandemic-induced recession with Asia, China, United States and Europe all pinning fiscal stimulus to clean energy initiatives. European countries are a case study for all other nations. The European Green Deal has transformed from a long-dated climate plan to a current economic stimulus plan in Europe not seen since the Marshall Plan in the late 1940s to rebuild Europe after World War II. This should boost short-term wealth (GDP and employment) as well as protect long-term wealth by fighting climate change.

The Power of Electricity

Electricity is what powers our planet; our energy grid, homes, workplaces, and our economies. And, the electrification of nearly everything (e.g., automobiles) is driving a growing demand for energy. The traditional methods for creating electricity have historically come primarily from coal and other petro-chemicals, such as oil and gas. Electrical utility companies convert these commodities into electricity that powers our energy grids. However, the carbon emissions are argued to provide a negative impact on our environment, including but not limited to pollution and contributing to global warming.

As Exhibit 1 shows, electricity is growing rapidly as a percentage of total energy consumption. In 2015 electricity represented just 19% of total energy consumption. It is estimated to be 29% and 49% of total global energy consumption by the years 2030 and 2050, respectively.

Exhibit 1: Electricity Demand is Growing Creating More Demand for Energy Consumption

Source: McKinsey; Irena, June 2020, Tortoise Ecofin

New Sources of Energy

Newer sources of energy include nuclear, hydro, solar, wind and geothermal. As Exhibit 2 shows, the share of global energy is under a massive transition away from traditional energy sources, such as coal, to greener and renewable sources of energy.

Many analysts expect renewables and natural gas to account for 85% of energy supply growth from 2019 to 2040. And, 70% of investments in the electricity sector from 2020 to 2030 are expected to come from renewables with the largest market share gain coming from wind and solar. Natural gas, hydro, geothermal, biomass and nuclear are all expected to grow, while others -- particularly, coal -- are expected to contract. In fact, in the U.S. alone, renewables have already overtaken coal as a source of electricity production.

Exhibit 2: Greener & Renewable Sources of Energy Poised for Growth

Source: Statista 2021, Global Energy Yearbook 2020

Innovation Begets Profitability

In their early stages of development, disruptive technologies often create or utilize underlying innovation and alternatives that are prohibitively expensive. As the innovation evolves, the cost structure declines making it more affordable. As costs decline below alternatives, the new technology displaces the old and drives down costs (and inflation) more broadly.

This type of transformation can be witnessed in the solar energy market. In its early days, costs were expensive, particularly more expensive than coal, for example. Without government subsidies and corporations investing in transformative technology, solar was not initially competitive. For example, the 2010 solar photovoltaic cost was 0.38 U.S. dollars per kilo-watt hour (kwh). However, by 2019 that cost had reduced to 0.05 USD/kwh – an 83% decline. As Exhibit 3 shows, solar and other green or renewable sources of energy are now cheaper than traditional methods.

Exhibit 3: Renewable Energy Costs are Often Below Traditional Sources

Power Generation is a Key Investment Opportunity

With the strong tailwinds of growing populations and the electrification of many things, energy growth is expected to be strong. One of the best ways to invest in these trends is through power generation (i.e., utility companies). Utility companies are the biggest contributors to CO2 emissions and could be big beneficiaries in transitioning to clean energy. Many utility companies exhibit high barriers to entry, steady cash flows, attractive dividend yields and inflationary protection. Many are also in the process of transitioning their sources of energy from coal to natural gas (i.e., green) and renewables. In fact, estimates are that there has not been a new coal powered utility plant built in the United States in over a decade. As these companies make the transition, their profit margins expand. And, governments and companies are channeling resources toward the global infrastructure buildout, presenting another wind in their sails.

In Closing

Clean energy either through greener or renewable sources is here to stay. The investment case is significant. Estimates are that global infrastructure investments in clean technology and energy production more broadly could provide $1- to $2 trillion in investments per year just in the United States for years to come (separate from current government fiscal infrastructure programs being discussed). This could translate to 15 to 20 million new jobs worldwide. Investing in clean energy initiatives is an impactful way to be not only ESG conscious but could benefit from major trends of support going forward. Please contact your CWM wealth advisory professional if you have questions.