Lessons learnt from the renewables investment rollercoaster-GIANNIS KOMITAS

So you saw climate change coming a long time ago. You were one of the first to recognise the importance of decarbonisation, and you sniffed out the critical role that renewables would play in the 21st century, even before the millennium had turned. Which means you must have made a killing, as we began the greatest economic and energy transformation in modern history. Right?

Or…maybe not. Because, even if you have made the right long-term calls over the last few decades, the market hasn’t always rewarded you for it. And that’s the puzzle we’re looking at today.

This week’s episode of Conversations on Climate takes us back to our roots, as we go deep on the green energy investment environment. Anyone with a passing understanding of our field knows that is has been a really exciting place to be for the last decade; not least because the landscape has shifted so rapidly around us. This is not a world where you can afford to sit still! 

And a part of that excitement is that investing in clean energy throws up more questions than answers at times, such as:

• Is renewables investing like infrastructure or start-ups?
• Does Tesla count as cleantech?
• Is clean energy recession-proof? Or is it more volatile than traditional industries?
• Do financial opportunity and regional political intention always match up?
• Is this a safe space for retail investors?

As COO of National Energy Holdings, Giannis Komitas knows a thing or two about this world. After a career in engineering and consultancy, he has found his home as a clean energy investor. From New York to London to Athens, he is deeply versed in the art of taking private capital and matching it to renewables opportunities – with an eye for value, resilience, and building the kind of long-term relationships with stakeholders that really matter.

Our conversation started from some familiar jumping-off points, for anyone connected to the industry – but where we ended up was not where I would have expected. Perhaps that shouldn’t have been a surprise, when talking to a man who self-describes as an investment ‘nomad’.

The show run-down:

• How Giannis made the leap from engineer to investor
• Is green energy a ‘boring’ industry? 
• The risks of a renewables bubble, and his experience riding the rollercoaster of a young and fast-developing sector
• Cleantech and recessions – how generators survived market meltdowns and government alike
• Understanding this as a sector of ‘nomad’s (and how to hunt down the next area of opportunity)
• What Giannis looks for when evaluating a new investment opportunity 
• The importance of respect as a generator: for markets, local communities, and the land itself
• His caution for retail investors 
• Utilities vs Big Oil – who is going to take a bigger part of the green energy pie?
• The value of a historical lens – how the infinite energy generation should understand the future of carbon 

References:

https://uk.linkedin.com/in/giannis-komitas

https://national.energy/team

Conversations on Climate is a podcast produced by United Renewables in association with the London Business School Energy Alumni Club. 

It brings together the best minds from academia and business, to offer their experience and expertise in the face of climate change –from game theorists to corporate diplomats, and oil industry veterans to micro-algae entrepreneurs. 

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Throughout season 1, we talk about how the scope of the challenge before us is beyond that of any one individual or any one solution. We talk to thinkers, researchers, policymakers, and business leaders. They discuss a diversity of ideas and solutions to global climate and environmental issues and why they matter.

Season 1 is presented by Chris Caldwell and produced by UNITED RENEWABLES in association with LONDON BUSINESS SCHOOL, ALUMNI ENERGY CLUB.

For more information visit: https://www.unitedrenewables.co.uk/resources

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