Energy market in transition: RWE, Klimat X and FREYR Battery - Which share offers sustainable price gains?

Green Wave at RWE: EUR 55 billion for renewable energy and hydrogen revolution by 2030

Germany's largest electricity producer, RWE, is planning major investments in renewable energy and green technologies. Between 2024 and 2030, the Company plans to invest EUR 55 billion in green electricity projects, storage solutions, electrolysers and gas-fired power plants. These forms of power plants are intended to step in when wind and solar parks cannot supply sufficient electricity. The ambitious plans envision operation with green hydrogen. Green hydrogen is produced by splitting water with electricity from wind or sun. The term 'green' stands for pure, environmentally friendly production processes.

CEO Markus Krebber presented these plans at an investor meeting in London. His goal: to increase adjusted operating profit from EUR 7 to 8 billion in the current year to more than EUR 9 billion in 2030.

Two years ago, CEO Krebber already set ambitious growth targets for green projects. During this time, the output of green power plants increased from 9 to 35 GW. He plans to increase these targets, and investment sums further to reach a capacity of more than 65 gigawatts by 2030. Of the total investment volume of EUR 55 billion, EUR 11 billion is to be invested in Germany, while almost twice as much, i.e. EUR 20 billion, is to be invested in the US. Germany can benefit from the investments, but a considerable proportion of the money will flow to the US, where RWE wants to establish its strategic production site 'Giga America'. So far, there is a general industry exodus from Germany due to the high local production costs. Even Volkswagen said they were no longer competitive considering the costs.

Green profit with Klimat X: CO₂ certificates as the key to sustainable success in environmental protection

A lot of development work is needed before the infrastructure for green hydrogen is created, including production facilities and supply chains. The risks of something going wrong are also relatively high as far as Germany and its current energy policy are concerned. Companies in the middle of a turnaround or requiring a lot of electricity due to their technology can use CO₂ certificates to ensure an environmentally friendly balance. Put simply, it is the principle of a modern letter of indulgence. For investors not familiar with the Bible: this is a historical document in Christianity that promises believers remission of their earthly punishments for sins already committed.

Given the expected significant increase by a factor of 5 to 8 in the CO₂ certificate market by 2030, as forecast in a study by Shell and the Boston Consulting Group, new investment opportunities are emerging for investors interested in sustainability.

CO₂ certificates are created by companies like Klimat X, which measurably generate environmentally sustainable benefits. Klimat X specializes in the renaturation and reforestation of forests and mangroves. In Sierra Leone, the young company is integrating itself into an existing sustainability project, which makes it easier for them to get started locally. Familiar networks are in place in Mexico so that the team led by CEO James Tansey can convince investors and project partners, particularly in the area of mangrove forests, through scientifically sound arguments and clear economic perspectives with predictable returns.

In this way, Klimat X creates benefits for local economies and investors. The environment, local population and climate also benefit. Mangroves are resistant to rising sea levels and store around four times more CO₂ than Canadian forests. As a sought-after partner for large industrial companies, Klimat X CO₂ certificates significantly contribute to sustainable environmental protection.

CEO Tansey comments: "*We have approached companies in the past and received positive feedback, particularly from the raw materials industry. The response from large tech companies was somewhat less positive. *The demand for CO₂ certificates and projects in which companies can participate directly is very high. Sixteen different companies submitted bids for our last project."**

Tansey knows what he is talking about. The founder and CEO of Klimat X is a renowned scientist and professor at the Sauder School of Business at British Columbia University. He has been advising provincial and federal governments on clean energy strategy and social enterprise for 15 years. As CIO at GSCM (Global Sustainable Capital Management), he invests globally in sustainable commodities and agriculture. He previously led the world's first carbon-neutral Olympic Games in Vancouver in 2010.

Tansey holds a PhD in Environmental Science and brings his extensive expertise in sustainable investing and clean energy to his role at Klimat X. His expertise is invaluable to the Company, presenting an exciting opportunity for investors to take a closer look at carbon credits as an investment with Klimat X. One opportunity is the 9th International Investment Forum on December 5, 2023, where Tansey will present live and be available to answer investor questions. Click here to register free of charge.

Job Cuts and Automation: FREYR Battery's power play in the battery market

Taking another step forward, the Norwegians at FREYR Battery are one step closer to completing their new facility, the Customer Qualification Plant (CQP) in Mo i Rana. FREYR Battery announced this week that the Company has successfully completed automated cathode casting runs. Automation is an essential building block in integrating the SemiSolid™ technology platform. FREYR Battery's focus is now on the imminent commissioning of the CQP and the associated automated production of customer-testable batteries.

However, automation and pressure from investors also has its downsides. The Company has announced that 78 jobs have been cut. Most job cuts will occur at the Company's headquarters in Lysaker in Bærum. 10 employees will be affected in Mo i Rana. FREYR Battery confirms that it will halve its expenditure in Norway.

"With the new organizational structure, we will focus on the CQP as our technology development center in Norway while establishing the US as our central strategic gigawatt-hour (GWh) production site," explains Birger Steen, CEO of FREYR.

FREYR has just undertaken a comprehensive organizational realignment that aims to create long-term value for shareholders. A key objective is to start automated production of customer-verifiable cells at the CQP site in Norway.

Parallel to this, the US will be intensified as a primary strategic production location, in particular through the realization of the first production facility called 'Giga America'. The aim here is to take maximum advantage of the US Department of Energy's loan program and the tax credits under the 'Inflation Reduction Act'. These organizational adjustments mark a significant step in FREYR's pursuit of technological advancement and international competitiveness in battery production. Shares rose 9.79% to USD 1.57 in pre-market trading.

The green energy revolution is gaining momentum, driven by key players such as RWE, Klimat X and FREYR Battery. RWE is investing EUR 55 billion in renewable energy and green hydrogen by 2030. Klimat X relies on CO₂ certificates as the key to sustainable success. The targeted renaturation and reforestation of forests and mangroves in Sierra Leone and Mexico create ecological benefits and economic opportunities. The increasing demand for CO₂ certificates illustrates the need in industry. FREYR Battery is pursuing an automated production strategy in the battery market and has once again reached a milestone at the Mo I Rana site to achieve this goal. Nevertheless, FREYR is focusing on the US location to utilize the subsidies from the US Department of Energy economically. These companies are actively shaping a sustainable energy landscape and demonstrating that economic success and environmental protection can go hand in hand. Each at their own pace.