Bullish clean energy stocks helped maintain healthy investment levels

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The $3.5 billion raised by state-owned energy company China Three Gorges Renewables and the $2.4 billion generated by Chinese solar manufacturer Longi helped the global clean energy sector raise a half-year record of $28.2 billion during the first six months of the year.

The Renewable Energy Investment Tracker report produced by U.S.-based analyst BloombergNEF this month has tracked a first-half record of $174 billion of investment in clean power, with bumper equity investments more than compensating for a reduction of finance for wind projects, following a bumper period for that technology in 2020.

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The $28 billion raised by renewables companies cashing in on the share price peaks reached at the start of the year, by issuing new stock, marked a 509% rise on the equity investment drummed up in January-to-June last year, according to BloombergNEF. The analyst noted this year has also posted a six-month record of $5.7 billion worth of venture capital and private equity backing in the first half.

While the $85 billion invested in wind power projects during the first six months of last year fell back to $58 billion this time around, the BloombergNEF report stated solar parks banked a record $78.9 billion in the first half.

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That finance included $4.9 billion in the second quarter alone in China, following a $2.8 billion investment in January to March. In the U.S., the report stated, investment of $5.3 billion into solar projects in the first quarter rose to $6.4 billion in April to June.

BloombergNEF head of analysis Albert Cheung sounded a cautionary note in a statement issued by the company to publicize the report, however, writing: “A 1.8% year-on-year increase is nothing to write home about. An immediate acceleration in funding is needed if we are to get on track for global net zero.”

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