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Big Oil Is Investing Billions to Gain a Foothold in Clean Energy

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  • Big Oil Is Investing Billions to Gain a Foothold in Clean Energy

The world’s biggest oil companies are closing more clean energy deals as pressure to diversify their businesses mounts and growth accelerates among green technologies.

Oil majors more than doubled the number of acquisitions, project investments and venture capital stakes, to 44 in 2016 from 21 the year before, according to research published Tuesday by Bloomberg New Energy Finance. In the last 15 years, they’ve completed 428 transactions and spent $6.2 billion building stakes in clean energy companies.

“This reflects their underpinning strategy to test out new ideas and businesses,” said Richard Chatterton, one of the London-based analysts that authored the report. “The international oil companies are identifying opportunities and building expertise, and when a commercial opportunity becomes clear, they will invest at scale.”

To be sure, the sums expended on clean energy still represent a fraction of the money invested in crude every year, showing that the oil majors are still very much focused on their core business. Royal Dutch Shell Plc, for example, budgeted $25 billion this year for capital expenditures.

Some of the investments by oil majors in projects and startups isn’t disclosed, according to BNEF, which estimates that the clean energy industry attracted almost $290 billion in 2016.

Solar energy generated the largest number of projects backed by oil companies. Wind created the second-highest volume of deals, with offshore wind investments beginning to catch up with windmills stationed on land. Oil companies have been looking to leverage their know-how in extracting fossil fuels from seabeds to install turbines in similarly harsh climates.

Wind projects offshore also tend to be some of the largest-scale and riskiest in the renewable energy industry, leading to higher profitability. Shell has a stake in the Borssele III and IV wind projects in the Dutch North Sea and Statoil ASA developed the world’s first floating wind farm off the coast of northern Scotland.

Interest in biofuels is on the decline, the data showed. It peaked when oil prices were high, fueling motivation to find alternatives. After the oil price crash that began in the middle of 2014, investment has flowed out of the sector. Deal count was zero in 2017.

Total SA has concluded the highest number of acquisitions and joint ventures with clean energy companies, buoyed by its purchases of a majority stake in SunPower Corp. in 2011 and battery maker Saft Groupe SA last year. Europe’s second-largest oil and gas producer is also active in the venture capital space, with a focus on companies in the U.S.

Oil majors’ venture capital deals have been shifting toward power storage and digital technologies. Advanced mobility may also be emerging, as companies seek to evolve as more transportation eschews gas for electricity. Shell recently bought NewMotion, an electric vehicle charging point network.

Is the CEO and Founder of Investors King Limited. He is a seasoned foreign exchange research analyst and a published author on Yahoo Finance, Business Insider, Nasdaq, Entrepreneur.com, Investorplace, and other prominent platforms. With over two decades of experience in global financial markets, Olukoya is well-recognized in the industry.

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Economic Alliance: Governors Eno and Sanwo-Olu Flag Off Ibom Towers in Victoria Island

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General Economy In Nigeria's Capital

The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Umo Eno, and his Lagos State counterpart, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, have flagged off an 18-storey Ibom Towers project in the Victoria Island area of Lagos State.

Governor Eno announced this via a post on his official X handle on Wednesday, October 30.

Speaking after the Ibom Towers project ceremony in Lagos, Governor Eno stated that the project will drive revenue growth and strengthen economic ties between Akwa Ibom and Lagos States.

Eno commended Lagos State Governor Sanwo-Olu for leading the ceremony, adding that the project is set for completion in 24 months.

He detailed that the Ibom Towers, located at Plot 868A, Bishop Aboyade Cole, Victoria Island, Lagos, will feature luxury apartments, gyms, pools, and smart building technology.

Governor Eno said, “Today, as part of our efforts to diversify Akwa Ibom’s economy, we marked the groundbreaking of the 18-story Ibom Towers in Lagos. This project, expected to be completed in 24 months, will drive substantial revenue growth and economic ties between Akwa Ibom and Lagos States.

“We are grateful to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for leading the groundbreaking ceremony and to former Governors Udom Emmanuel, CON, and Obong Victor Attah for their support.

“Ibom Towers represents a bold step toward economic innovation, featuring luxury apartments, gyms, pools, and smart building technology.

“It’s designed to attract urban professionals and generate revenue through property leases and tourism, boosting GDP for both states. Thanks to everyone who joined us today, including the Oba of Oniru, HRM Oba Abdulwasiu Omogbolahan Lawal, His Eminence Ntenyin Solomon Etuk, Speaker Udeme Otong, AKICORP MD Imo-Abasi Jacob, and numerous traditional rulers for their support in bringing this vision to life. Together, we’re paving the way for a prosperous future!”

Governor Sanwo-Olu, who described the project as a symbol of inter-state collaboration, commended Umo Eno for recognizing Lagos as a prime investment opportunity.

The Lagos State Governor expressed his full support for Governor Eno and the Ibom Towers project.

He said, “Today, I joined Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State for the groundbreaking ceremony of Ibom Towers in Victoria Island, Lagos.

“I commend Governor Eno for recognizing Lagos as a prime investment opportunity, as this project is a symbol of inter-state collaboration. It represents not only physical growth but also our commitment to strengthening economic ties and fostering new opportunities.

“As Ibom Tower rises, it will serve as a beacon for business and community engagement, reflecting our shared vision for Nigeria’s growth through creativity and collaboration.

“On behalf of Lagos State, I extend our support to Governor Eno and all involved in this endeavor.”

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FG Warns Property Owners: Settle Ground Rent in 60 Days or Lose Certificates of Occupancy

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The Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has announced plans to revoke the Certificates of Occupancy (C of O) of property owners who continue to refuse payment of ground rent and other statutory charges owed to the Ministry.

This development was disclosed by the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, during the 29th Conference of Directors of Lands held in Abuja on Wednesday.

Dangiwa stated that the Federal Government is giving C of O holders a 60-day ultimatum to clear their outstanding debts.

At the conference, themed “Equitable Land Stewardship: Challenges of Land Administration and Its Impact on Climate Change and Community Rights,” Dangiwa revealed that property owners’ refusal to pay their dues has resulted in a loss of trillions of naira in revenue for the government.

According to him, President Bola Tinubu’s administration will not tolerate non-compliance, as the revenue is critical to delivering on the president’s agenda.

He said, “The Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development is aware that several owners of titled properties have failed to pay ground rent and other statutory charges to the Ministry for several years.

“This non-compliance has resulted in the loss of trillions of naira in revenue to the Federal Government. Under the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, this cannot be tolerated, as this revenue is much needed to deliver the Renewed Hope Agenda.”

“As such all Federal C of O title owners are hereby given a 60-day notice to settle all outstanding ground rent and statutory charges. Failure to make payment within this period will result in the revocation of their C of Os.”

“Failure to adhere to these requirements will attract the appropriate penalties and sanctions,” Dangiwa warned.

The announcement comes amidst the economic hardship ravaging the country as a result of the fuel subsidy removal of President Bola Tinubu government’s.

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Deji Adeleke Boasts of Generating 15% of Nigeria’s Electricity, to Unveil $2bn Worth of Power Plant Next Year

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A billionaire businessman and father of popular music star David Adeleke, also known as Davido, Dr. Adedeji Adeleke has disclosed that he has a firm that generates about 15 per cent of Nigeria’s electricity.

He disclosed this while speaking at the Seventh-Day Adventist Church’s General Conference Annual Council 2024.

Adeleke revealed that he is in the process of constructing a 1,250-megawatt power plant worth $2billion, saying that upon completion, is expected to be the largest in the country and that it would be operational in January, 2025.

He said as a businessman in electricity, he owns power plants and generate presently about 15 percent of the electricity needs of Nigeria.

The elder brother of the Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, said he has Chinese engineering companies that work for him, adding that his tenth new power plant will be the biggest thermal power plant in the country.

Adeleke disclosed that while preparations for the project were underway, an unnamed government official threatened to prevent its completion.

Despite this challenge, Adeleke credited the near-completion of the project to the mercies of God, stating that it is a testament to divine intervention that the venture has progressed this far.

Adeleke noted that his Chinese friend had to travel down to Nigeria to discuss a way out because he never believed that prayer was enough to get the project done.

He affirmed that prayer did as the then Minister of Power granted the approval because he saw that the project was a brilliant one.

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