2017 was a record-setting year for clean energy investments. Across the globe, 333.5 billion USD was spent on green power and smart energy solutions, 48% of which was invested in solar. China led the way, investing over 130 billion USD. These numbers prove that the supply of clean energy is strong and will grow amid planned infrastructure projects in developed and developing countries. What is the outlook for the demand for clean energy?
2017 was also groundbreaking on the consumer side. Last year corporate buyers, in the sign of compliance with the Paris Climate Accord, contracted more clean energy than ever. The growth in the clean energy sector is especially surprising considering the rhetoric of President Trump's cabinet, which has not deterred corporate America from shifting towards green power, contracting over 5 gigawatts from solar and wind plants in the framework of long-term contracts. Major force accelerating investments in renewables is the Big Tech. According to BNEF studies, Google (Nasdaq: GOOG) signed contracts for over 3 gigawatts, followed by Amazon (Nasdaq: AMZN) and Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) with 1.2 and 0.7 gigawatts respectively.
Being green has become trendy. To facilitate this phenomenon major global businesses unite in the RE100 initiative. Danone (EPA: BN), Ikea, and BMW Group (ETR: BMW), among others, have made pledges to utilize 100% renewable energy by various deadlines. Worldwide leaders set the example. It is also happening in developing countries. The energy transition in Asia accounts for a big chunk of to global demand for clean power. It is being driven not only by the local suppliers of multinational corporations like Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL) but also by national conglomerates like Indian Mahindra & Mahindra (NSE: MAHM.NS) or Philippine Ayala Land (PSE: ALI).
Supply and demand forces will stimulate the value of investments in the renewables. A higher level of procurement by corporate buyers in the framework of long-term contracts proves that political influence on energy sector is limited.