Energy Finance
The global push to combat climate change is transforming the energy finance sector landscape. Investment is increasingly directed towards RE projects, EE improvements, and carbon-reducing technologies. According to the IEAs World Energy Investment 2024, global energy investment is set to exceed USD 3 trillion for the first time in 2024, nearly USD 2 trillion of which goes to clean energy, twice as much as fossil fuels. "Yet, this remains insufficient to keep global warming below 1.5oC."
Meeting climate financing goals, requires deeper collaboration between governments and the private sector. Blended finance, which merges public and private funds, is gaining traction as a way to scale investment and reduce risk. As climate risks become more material, investors are shifting towards sustainable portfolios.
Falling costs of RE and supportive government policies are accelerating the transition to wind, solar, and hydroelectric power. Financial instruments like green bonds are also helping channel funds into environmentally friendly projects.
Still, developing economies face significant challenges in attracting clean energy investment, from political instability and regulatory uncertainties to currency fluctuations. Unlocking finance in these contexts remains a critical challenge.
How NIRAS adds value
Investment management in clean energy is one of NIRAS’s core strengths—and a key driver of sustainable energy growth. Through our global network, we provide expertise in investment planning, carbon and green finance, and policy analysis. We support governments, development agencies, and private actors in integrating clean energy into national and subnational strategies. As more countries pivot from fossil fuels, this kind of capacity development is increasingly vital.
NIRAS is known for creating bankable projects by developing enabling frameworks and tailored, innovative solutions.
Our work spans carbon finance, impact finance, and Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), as well as strengthening policy and regulatory frameworks, building local and international capacity, and planning sustainable energy transitions.
We also have a strong track record in managing challenge funds for co-financing energy projects. Our end-to-end approach covers the full process—from designing the fund and issuing calls for proposals to assessing applications, providing technical support, and monitoring results. Many of these funds use results-based financing, with rigorous verification to ensure payments are tied to the achievement of clear milestones.
Our value proposition
Within the field of Energy Finance, NIRAS is committed to offering the following services:
- Feasibility studies for RE and EE projects;
- Financing mechanisms for RE and EE projects, incl. carbon finance, impact investing, PPAs;
- Management of challenge funds for co-financing energy projects (RE, EE, energy access);
- Policy and regulatory advice;
- Capacity building and technology/knowledge transfers for public, private and non-governmental sector stakeholders;
- Institutional and organisational strengthening enabling the implementation of needed reforms to ensure private sector investments.
