German energy company RWE, the third-largest renewables player in Europe, has set put it vision of increasing its 25GW pipeline of renewables projects following its share sale that raised €2bn of funds.

The additional €2bn is in addition to €5bn, already earmarked to be invested by 2022, as the company sees expansion in North America alongside renewable energy auctions across Europe.

As costs in renewables have fallen it makes economic sense to invest, but there is another aspect to the decision in that ‘traditional’ energy companies face new entrants to the sector in the form of BIG Oil companies looking for new purpose.

In Europe, both BP and Shell have made inroads into both renewable generation and energy distribution networks, both having considerable muscle to do so both financially and in terms of structure. Both could accelerate expand by acquisition. BP in particular has stated ambitious plans recently with CEO Bernard Looney making several statements about the company’s greener future.

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