I have worked as a senior executive within several renewable energy companies, ranging from turbine manufacturing to IPPs. My strategic mindset has enabled me to coordinate and advise on deals originating and closing from +2 GW of wind to +500MW of PV.
What do you do at ReGen Future Capital?
I am the CEO of ReGen Future Capital’s subsidiary, Amplio Energy, an international company that specialises in the development, construction and management of an institutional pipeline of renewable energy plants, with a focus on the solar sector (photovoltaic or ‘PV’ plants).
Amplio Energy currently has a development pipeline of up to 7.5 GW across South America, Europe and Asia. ReGen Future Capital leverages Amplio’s experience in the Italian market to expand its operations and establish a presence in Taiwan in 2018 and Demark in 2019, where we now have local offices and teams.
We are now operating 20 MW in Taiwan and have an additional 200 MW of solar energy in development. From our Taiwan base, we are establishing a larger footprint across South East Asia, such as in Vietnam where we now have active prospects for 300 MW of solar energy developments including floating solar plants. Currently the Denmark operation has 700 MW in development, of which 200 MW are going to be photovoltaic green houses.
Brazil is an especially relevant market for ReGen Future Capital’s solar development. The economy is stabilising and there is significant demand for a lot more energy – Brazil is set to become a leading global economy. The Brazilian government is also expressing commitments to renewable energy, including the prohibition of taxation on renewable energy and Brazilian banks financing unsubsidised solar projects.
Solar alone will represent 32% of the overall power generation capacity by 2040 and this is further supported by a thriving energy trading market with attractive pricing levels. Furthermore, as in Brazil, many national governments are incorporating strong support for renewable energy into their policies. Due to these advancements, known as the renewable revolution, we can expect more support and interest in this side of ReGen Future Capital’s work across the globe.
Under ReGen Future Capital, Amplio Energy has now become a truly international developer, delivering a fully integrated model to fund all the exciting regeneration programmes.
What attracted you to ReGen Future Capital?
I was instinctively attracted to ReGen Future Capital’s vision to rethink business as usual, reconnect humanity with nature and restore ecosystems on a global scale. I was also drawn in by the concept of utilising ‘natural capital’ in a different and rewarding way.
‘Natural capital’ can be defined as our planet’s stock of natural resources – including soils, forests and oceans – which provide people with free goods and services, underpin our economy and society, and make human life possible.
What do you see as the power of ReGen Future Capital’s mission?
From my experience, ReGen Future Capital’s biggest strength lies in its ability to create consistent, tangible, measurable impact. The ability to see, touch and even smell the impact of regenerated soils, forests and oceans makes the ReGen Future Capital mission a very attractive offering to investors, partners and potential collaborators.
How should the investment community respond to the climate crisis?
The investment community should consider its role and responsibility in the climate emergency as the strategic deployment of capital into sustainable and regenerative solutions. There are an increasing number of commercially viable options for the investment community to involved in, from renewable energy infrastructure to innovative low-carbon technologies, and the global expansion and scale up of solutions.
Is it possible to redefine capitalism and rethink ‘business as usual’?
Everything needs to have a purpose. Socially responsible businesses and investors must stop justifying the pursuit of short-term earnings — sacrificing long-term growth, environmental responsibility, and human rights. Business and the investment community must move away from this old focus on ‘shareholder value’ towards a redefined capitalism.
Shareholder value emphasises profit above everything else, regardless of the consequences to the society, the planet or even the business itself. This lack of a sense of responsibility of outcome has, in my opinion, caused many of the injustices that we try to combat every day.
Instead, business can work towards stakeholder value. Stakeholder value considers all stakeholders – not just top-tier investors – everyone, including employees, community and nature itself.
ReGen Future Capital is not alone in putting stakeholder value at the core of its mission and purpose — B-Corporations worldwide are rethinking business as usual.
In my opinion, the shift is more than possible, it is necessary to achieve a harmonious, thriving society that delivers for people and planet, not solely profit.
Why is it important to reconnect humanity with nature?
The most compelling explanation for the importance of reconnecting humanity with nature is that it is vital to our own survival. Human beings are fully dependent on the earth and the natural resources it provides us with; without a healthy and functioning planet, humanity cannot survive.
What excites you about regenerative investment?
It is a new way of thinking – ‘rethinking business as usual’. Regenerative investment is an innovative concept, and although it feels somewhat radical, it is still easily comprehensible to the investment community and the wider public.
How do you think the conversation on climate has changed?
The conversation has intensified increasingly over the past five years – it has become more and more accepted, with clear and clearer evidence that we need to develop solutions and take action now.
What keeps you hopeful that we can tackle the climate emergency?
Seeing action from large corporates, as well as the investment community, gives a sense of momentum that we have not seen before. On top of this, the fact that ESG and SRI-compliance is becoming a part of the overall investment agenda gives hope that we can address the underlying issues behind global warming and mass species extinction.
Finally, what do you want to contribute as an individual and a business?
ReGen Future Capital does business differently and has a unique agenda – seeking to drive environmental impact through regenerative investment. My call is to ensure that we capitalise on this unique agenda to ensure that as our economies grow and our nations develop, that we do so as sustainably as possible.
Unsustainable growth is not growth at all. I hope to promote ReGen Future Capital’s agenda through securing profitable renewable energy assets – progressing the mission of combatting global warming.