Renewable Energy Laws Spur Global Investment

I’ve noticed that momentous changes to the rules by which we all live and work often start out on the frontiers, then flow back inward. New ways of doing old business, new industries, even shifts in societal and family rules are often hatched out of necessity by out-there, pragmatic pioneers who seek a better way, compared to that which they left behind on the old turf.

Energy exploration and distribution is but one example: in the last century, risk-takers and speculators followed their noses Out West to oil fields and, working unfettered and unregulated, yielded oil and funneled it out to refineries and Back East to gas meters, street lamps, and fuel pumps. At homes, in factories, and on street corners, the lights came on, and nothing was ever the same. “I Drink Your Milkshake” was next tamed by regulation and legislation, only upon proof of profits.

Today, we see a new rush worldwide to claim, harness, and disperse power derived from renewable energy. Countries with no influence in today’s fossil fuel-centric energy sector are starting out by crafting legislation that boosts their place in the global renewable energy arena. Iceland’s thermal geysers. Egypt’s desert wind. Chile’s sun.

The great difference? These power sources – wind and sun – aren’t land-locked, owned, or claimed, avoiding much of the low-brow attempts to wrest control and access from unsuspecting or underfunded landowners. Human nature being what it is, I imagine it’s harder to quicken the pulse of pioneer speculators and profiteers. That being said…

Here’s legislative news to watch, and what its enactment will mean to refiners, conveyors, and consumers of renewable energy; and to manufacturers and service providers with a stake in renewable energy growth such as Photovoltaic Solar Panel Manufacturers from Iowa to Korea:

The Philippine government signed a new Renewable Energy Law, offering specific incentives (mainly tax breaks) for renewable generation — a first for Southeast Asia.
Chile’s Renewable Energy Legislation requires electricity generators of more than 200MW to source 10% of their energy mix from renewables.
Japan unveiled a new $9 billion subsidy package for solar roofs, granting JPY 70,000 ($785)/kW for rooftop PV installation.
Next up, I’ll discuss bright spots in renewables investments and manufacturing and service sectors that signal our collective intent to accept and adapt alternative energy in transportation, manufacturing, and utilities.