Offsite Renewable Energy Opportunities Webinar

Brought to you by act renewable, the Asia Accelerator Webinar Series aims to demystify a range of key topics on the renewable energy transition for corporates and their supply chains across Asia. In part I of our mini-series, “Renewable Energy Market Close-up”, we delve into market-specific insights on renewable energy (RE) options, including the latest in regulatory and implementation updates in China.

This webinar will focus on China, which for many multinational corporates represents one of the largest and highest impact markets in terms of energy consumption and emissions. It is also one of the most challenging; transitioning to renewable electricity is particularly complex due to the availability of renewables across the region, regulatory intricacies, and heightened competition for securing contracts. At the same time, the scaling up of the Green Electricity Trading program presents corporates with the chance to procure off-site renewable energy at scale. How can they make the most of this vast opportunity?

We are excited to be delivering this webinar in association with our carbon consulting partner, RESET Carbon, based in China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. RESET has extensive experience supporting corporates and their supply chains in the decarbonization journey. Joining us will be our renewable energy advisors, Trang Nguyen and Sabrina Faber, and carbon reduction experts, Ellen Wu and Cyrus Lam, who will provide an overview of RE options for corporates in China, as well as a deep dive into the off-site solutions (Green Electricity Trading program and the Green Electricity Certificate). They will share insights into the main models of procuring off-site renewable energy in China, including certificates, and provide recommendations for minimizing implementation risks.

Key Event Highlights:

Introduction to China’s regulatory requirements on carbon and RE compliance for corporates
Overview of RE options available for corporates in China
Green Electricity Trading program deep-dive
Challenges and recommendations for corporates

This webinar is relevant for:

Corporates and supply chains looking for RE solutions in China
Renewable energy generators who are looking for corporate buyers in China
Sustainability leaders looking for the latest information to inform procurement decisions

Key Takeaways

1. China’s carbon neutral ambition set to shape the renewable energy landscape

In September 2020, China announced that its ambition to peak carbon emissions by 2030, with the aim of reaching carbon neutrality by 2060.

What does this mean for corporates?

High-emission sectors such as heavy industry, steel and cement, will experience short-term economic pain due to limited domestic support for growth. Also, corporates will feel the impact of international regulations such as the European Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, requiring them to reduce their emissions.

China’s GDP composition is set to change, moving from high carbon-intensity industries to low carbon intensity industries. There will be a marked increase in renewable energy, particularly in technology and manufacturing sectors.
Decarbonization will initially require public policy support and subsidies

2. Transitioning to renewable energy? A phase-strategy with regional focus is crucial

Although China is on track regarding grid development to support its rapidly expanding renewable energy capacity, it will still take a number of years to complete the network and deliver renewable energy from projects in the Northwest regions to the concentrated consumers in Southeast provinces. This piece of the puzzle is a core dependency to balance supply and demand, in the near-term, renewable energy is therefore expected to come at a premium price.

Building a renewable energy roadmap in China requires a strategic approach drawing on regional expertise – reach out to Trang Nguyen, at act renewable, or Ellen Wu, RESET Carbon, for China market support.

3. Green Electricity Certificates poised to unlock decarbonization potential

Unbundled Green Electricity Certificates (GEC) are expected to play a vital role for corporates to achieve their RE targets in the next 3-5 years. Although GEC prices have dipped in the past months off the back of the introduction of a new policy, it is expected that unbundled GEC prices will go up as demand continues to grow. GEC traded volume is also expected to increase significantly in the months and years to come.

If you’re looking to understand the new Green Electricity Certificates policy for corporates in China, download our whitepaper or contact Trang Nguyen.

4. Green Electricity Trading options: Weighing up the pros and cons

Corporates interested in sourcing renewable energy via the Green Electricity Trading (GET) Program face the decision of obtaining it from a retailer or a generator, each presenting its own set of requirements as well as advantages and drawbacks. While trading via retailers is accessible for all consumers, direct engagement with generators requires higher demand volume. Retailer trading options offer greater process simplicity at a higher premium, whereas a generator can provide a more cost-effective solution but with higher complexity and longer preparation – this demands corporate’s internal capacity for trading and market knowledge. There is no one-size-fits all, our expert team is experienced in engaging the market to determine the best fit for our clients’ needs.

Market Trends: Our outlook on future trends

- Standardisation will take time: with various options, multiple market players and regional diversity, the offsite RE procurement landscape in China is dynamic. It will take some time for the market to build experience and offer more standardized solutions

- Short- and long-term RE strategy: the majority of corporates will rely largely on unbundled GEC in the next few years to fulfil their RE portfolio requirements as they pilot GET and wait for the market to mature. At the same time, new direct GET deals with generators will continue to be used by large corporates to secure long-term RE supply in China.

Navigate China’s Renewable Energy Landscape

& make the most of China’s Green Electricity Trading program to achieve your RE goals

Connect with our team

Speakers Profile

Trang Nguyen, Senior Manager, Team Lead for Advisory Services in Asia

Trang heads up the act renewable team in Asia and is responsible for business development and managing our service delivery for key clients across the region. Her engineering background and a high level of interest in the renewable energy field gives her the tools to deliver impactful work for many global corporates. She has over seven years of experience in renewable energy policy advice and promoting low emission energy solutions to industries in Southeast Asian countries. Trang has a deep understanding of the renewable energy challenges that corporates face supporting them with high-quality services focused on low-carbon and renewable energy transitions, to deliver and execute on ambitious emission reduction targets.

Ellen Wu, General Manager China & Taiwan, RESET Carbon

Ellen is an impact investor turned General Manager at RESET Carbon. She has two decades of experience in technology and data, including as Chief Data Officer and Chief Information Officer at global financial firms including Manulife Life Insurance, HSBC and Standard and Poor’s. Ellen has devoted much of her time helping Fortune 500 businesses reduce their global carbon footprint and meet their carbon neutral goals with on the ground execution experience within their own operations and across the value chain. Ellen also has a deep understanding of the impact that local regulations and environmental policy has on international corporates operating in China.

Sabrina Faber, Senior Project Manager, Team Lead for Strategy & Innovation

Sabrina leads the act renewable Strategy team and is responsible for the continuous development of our services in response to the needs of clients. Supported by her background in utility-scale and rooftop solar projects, and deep practical experience in the corporate renewable energy market across Europe and Asia, Sabrina is an expert in devising practical approaches to solving the challenges corporates face when planning and implementing renewable energy solutions. Sabrina manages and oversees various renewable energy strategy and implementation processes for multinational corporates, spanning different sectors all over the globe.

Cyrus Lam, Principal Consultant, RESET Carbon

Cyrus has participated in 200+ energy efficiency projects in Greater China, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, the Philippines, India, Bangladesh, Nepal and the United States. He has rich experience working with corporates and international brands in the green supply chain to formulate strategies for energy, water and carbon emissions reduction and has provided training and design consulting services. Cyrus holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from San Francisco State University, as well as Energy Manager (CEM) and Certified Energy Efficiency Assessor (CMVP) qualifications.

Join us to learn more & stay ahead of the curve in the renewable energy space

Want to know more? Reach out to the team for support in accelerating the corporate renewable energy transition: trang.nguyen@actrenewable.net