Green Markets is a daily series dedicated to highlighting events of interest that could impact investments within environmental markets.
Biofuels/Chemicals
The European Commission has approved Romania's €500 million ($550 million) aid scheme to boost biofuel investments, funded through the EU Modernization Fund. This aid, provided as direct grants, will support the development of advanced biofuel production, including bioethanol, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), and hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO).
Related Stock List(s): Biofuels & Chemicals Stocks
Hydrogen
India's state-run Steel Authority of India (SAIL) has partnered with global mining company BHP to reduce carbon emissions at SAIL's steel plants, which operate using blast furnaces. The collaboration will explore the use of hydrogen and biochar while building local research and development efforts.
Saudi Arabia is poised to invest heavily in hydrogen production, launching a new company called Energy Solutions Company under its sovereign wealth fund. This initiative is expected to focus on financing green hydrogen production, with initial investments anticipated to reach at least $10 billion, potentially increasing based on demand. The kingdom's efforts include both green hydrogen, produced using renewable energy, and blue hydrogen, which involves capturing emissions from fossil fuel production.
Related Stock List(s): Hydrogen Stocks
Liquified Natural Gas (LNG)
China is intensifying its LNG stockpiling efforts as winter approaches, becoming the world's largest LNG importer. The country has significantly increased its gas imports and domestic production to build high gas inventories, preparing for potential supply constraints arising from the end of the Russia-Ukraine gas transit deal in December 2024.
JERA Global Markets has successfully closed a one-year syndicated Revolving Credit Facility (RCF) totaling approximately $1.5 billion, involving 30 lenders. This facility, significantly oversubscribed at over 180% of the initial $900 million target, will support general corporate purposes and JERA's global LNG trading operations.
Related Stock List(s): LNG Stocks
Nuclear Energy
In a historic referendum, over 70% of Kazakhstan voters approved the construction of the country’s first nuclear power plant. The referendum saw a 63% voter turnout, surpassing the required 50% threshold to make the vote binding.
Related Stock List(s): Nuclear Energy & Uranium Stocks
Renewable Energy
Iberdrola's U.S. subsidiary, Avangrid, has secured a $425 million contract from the U.S. Department of Energy for its Aroostook renewable project. Additionally, Iberdrola is partnering with Enel Green Power, E.ON, and Mitsubishi to establish a green hydrogen supply chain from Spain to Central Europe.
French wind-farm developer Valorem SAS is set to raise €200 million ($219 million) from AIP Management and Credit Agricole to fund future renewable projects. The funds will primarily support solar and wind farm construction in France and extend to countries like Poland, Finland, and Greece by 2027 and 2028.
Norwegian O&G giant Equinor has acquired a 9.8% stake in Danish offshore wind developer Orsted for approximately $2.5 billion. The acquisition adds 1.7 GW to Equinor's renewable energy goals, as the company aims to install 12-16 GW by 2030.