Apricum articles
Our view on the latest developments in the cleantech industry.
To invest or not to invest? The smart grid question
Significant investments are required to transform the current grid infrastructure for our changing energy system. Globally, about USD 300B was invested in electrical grids in 2021, with at least USD 14T needed cumulatively by 2050. However, investing into smart grid’s isn’t a simple choice.
Europe should seriously rethink its position on local solar photovoltaic manufacturing
The 30 GWp of solar PV capacity added in Europe in 2021 marks a record for PV additions to European energy generation. This number sets a European base line while the continent is facing increasingly uncertain and costly fossil energy supplies, lately spurred by the war against Ukraine.
Is there a link between oil prices and renewable energy development in GCC countries?
While high oil prices create a positive outlook for renewables in the region, how true is the opposite? Would a downturn in oil prices significantly hinder the plans for renewable energy? Are oil prices the only factor that affects how much the countries in the region will invest?
Five promising energy storage markets you might be missing
With all the impressive projects and gigawatt hours of energy storage being deployed in the big markets like the USA, China, and Europe, it’s easy to forget that energy storage is actually a global phenomenon.
Greener finance options for renewable energy developments
While Green Bonds have commanded headlines, we observe a more interesting development in green finance. Compared to last year, the issuance of new Green Bonds has fallen by nearly 35%, to just USD 83 billion in Q1 of 2022. Rising interest rates, inflationary pressures and fallout from the Ukrainian conflict have reduced issuance of many global bonds – green ones included.
Apricum’s new Dubai office: Four questions for its director Krzysztof Ignaciuk
We interview newly appointed Apricum Director Krzysztof Ignaciuk, who leads Apricum's Dubai office and business in the MENA region. 1. Krzysztof, tell us about your background I started my professional path in September 2008 and joined a London-based investment bank...
UK BESS: an evolutionary update
By Apricum Partner Charles Lesser, Louise Dalton, Partner, Energy & Climate Change, CMS and Rajiv Gogna, Partner, Energy Technology & Analytics, LCP. The British Isles are to utility-scale batteries as the Galapagos Islands are to tortoises: the isolated...
UAE Joins Net Zero Momentum
The UAE has announced a bold energy policy decision, underscoring its seriousness to becoming Net Zero by 2050. On February 3, 2022, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed, chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, announced that its flagship 2.4 GW Hassyan coal power plant...
Apricum’s new London office: Four questions for its director, Partner Charles Lesser
1. Could you give us an update on M&A activity/capital raises and trends you see? Superficially, Apricum's job became easier, but doing it well got harder. The noisy change is that 2021 smashed all records for cleantech financing with numerous, previously...
Transitioning to sustainable buildings is vital to reach net-zero but policy must step up
The decarbonization of the building and construction sector is essential if we are to meet the climate targets of limiting global warming to 1.5°C world wide by 2050. This, however, requires, not only increasing the energy efficiency of buildings in general, but also...
Developments in the global water sector: trends, technologies and financing
In this interview, we speak to Apricum Senior Advisor Ulf Leonhard to find out some facts about the water industry, in terms of growth areas for technology and investment, innovation trends as well as landmark M&A transactions, fundraising and key considerations...
Will China’s ‘double carbon’ and ‘dual control’ policies drive demand for solar?
One might expect that China’s recently announced emission-reduction policies would have only a positive impact for the solar industry, however, the effects are mixed. The subsequent power restrictions imposed on almost all provinces and regions have pushed up prices...