Unlocking renewable energy investment: the role of risk mitigation and structured finance
Scaling up renewable energy calls for mobilising a massive investment increase. Renewables bring far reaching benefits in terms of human health, energy access, environmental protection and the response to climate change, along with the potential to create new jobs around the world. Amid rapidly falling technology costs, meanwhile, renewable energy technologies have become increasingly cost-competitive with fossil fuels, even amid low global oil prices. Yet global investment in renewables has remained far below its potential, as this report from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) explains. The investment shortfall reflects enduring market barriers and perceptions of high risk that deters private investors and financiers. Unlocking Renewable Energy Investment: The role of risk mitigation and structured finance identifies the main risks and barriers limiting investment; it also supplies a toolkit for policy makers, public and private investors, and public finance institutions to scale up their investments in renewable energy.