The Asia Climate Finance Podcast

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In this episode, we delve into the world of climate business, climate finance, and the energy transition in the Asia Pacific region, as seen through the lens of a major investor. Our guest is Gavin Adda, CEO of Peak Energy Development, a Singapore-based company backed by the $70 billion global infrastructure investor, Stonepeak Infrastructure Partners. We begin by exploring the critical role of power market deregulation in accelerating the energy transition. We delve into specific challenges and opportunities within this space. Additionally, we discuss the markets that Gavin is most optimistic about and examine emerging trends in the industry. We also briefly touch on a couple of case studies that highlight innovative approaches to sustainable energy solutions. Finally, Gavin shares his long-term vision for energy transition projects and related investments in the Asia Pacific region.
ABOUT GAVIN: Gavin Adda is the CEO of Peak Energy Development Pte Ltd with responsibility for renewable energy across Asia Pacific. Peak Energy is the renewable energy developer for Stonepeak Infrastructure Partners in Asia with a focus on solar, onshore wind and battery infrastructure and includes some of the largest projects in Korea and Japan. Previously, he was CEO of TotalEnergies Renewables Utility Scale (Asia) and Distributed Generation (Asia) which was formed when he sold his start-up to TotalEnergies. It subsequently became the largest B2B-focused renewable player in the region before being merged with ENEOS to form a USD 2 Bn joint venture. Based out of Singapore, Gavin is also a Board Director of Maxeon Solar Technologies (NASDAQ:MAXN),a Board Director of Lindström Group and Co-Chair of the Sustainability Committee at the European Chamber of Commerce. Prior to TotalEnergies, Gavin founded several start-ups in the renewable sector. This includes CleantechSolar one of the largest developers in India, now partly owned by Shell and Keppel. At REC Solar, one of the largest, non-Chinese solar panel manufacturers, he ran several departments and launched a corporate turn-around, re-focusing the company on the DG sector. He sold the company to ChemChina for USD 640m (the largest solar M&A deal in ’15). Previously, he had various management roles in Samsung Group. This included developing, constructing and financing a USD 1 Bn portfolio of utility-scale solar projects and launching a JV with one of the largest, independent solar developers in the US. Gavin has an MBA from INSEAD and a Master’s Degree from Cambridge University.

FEEDBACK: Email Host | HOST, PRODUCTION, ARTWORK: Joseph Jacobelli | MUSIC: Ep0-29 The Open Goldberg Variations, Kimiko Ishizaka Ep30-50 Orchestra Gli Armonici – Tomaso Albinoni, Op.07, Concerto 04 per archi in Sol - III. Allegro. | Ep51 – Brandenburg Concerto No. 4 in G, Movement I (Allegro), BWV 1049 Kevin MacLeod. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

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Our guest is Jan Napiorkowski, global head of clean energy at Ariel Re. Jan first discusses his background and his work in insurance in clean energy, an area which is vital to sustainable finance. The elephant topic! Then we launch into two sections. In the first part of the episode, we look at some of the basics. Namely, the insurance and reinsurance of clean energy projects in the world in general and in Asia in particular. In the second part of the discussion, we take a deeper dive in the topic. We discuss a little bit more in depth about technologies and couple of examples as well. Two technologies which feature prominently are battery energy storage and bioconversion/Waste-to-Energy.
ABOUT JAN. Jan Napiorkowski is Global Head Clean Energy, Vice President, Ariel Syndicate of Lloyd's (Ariel Re). Before 2010 Jan held various positions in the insurance and reinsurance sector across Europe. Since 2010 he developed the insurance market for renewable energy performance warranties and headed Munich Re’s APAC Clean Energy unit out of Hong Kong. In 2015 Jan established Ariel Re's Clean Energy practice specialized in a wide range of Performance Guarantee solutions for utility scale and C&I portfolios of solar, waste to energy and storage projects. Jan is a trained theoretical physicist and holds a MBA in Insurance and Risk Management.
HOST, PRODUCTION, ARTWORK: Joseph Jacobelli | MUSIC: The Open Goldberg Variations, Kimiko Ishizaka | FEEDBACK : Email the Host.

FEEDBACK: Email Host | HOST, PRODUCTION, ARTWORK: Joseph Jacobelli | MUSIC: Ep0-29 The Open Goldberg Variations, Kimiko Ishizaka Ep30-50 Orchestra Gli Armonici – Tomaso Albinoni, Op.07, Concerto 04 per archi in Sol - III. Allegro. | Ep51 – Brandenburg Concerto No. 4 in G, Movement I (Allegro), BWV 1049 Kevin MacLeod. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

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Episode 49 is about the related topics of electric vehicles, key minerals, and China. Our guest is Henry Sanderson. Henry is currently the executive editor of Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, a provider of supply chain and energy transition intelligence. This includes lithium, nickel, cobalt, electric vehicles, and the like. Henry and I first discuss his interest in EVs and the related minerals. Then we talk about his book Volt Rush, about EVs, about some of the key minerals, and finally on his thoughts about market developments over the next 25 years.
Useful Resources:
Volt Rush: The Winners and Losers in the Race to Go Green
Benchmark’s free newsletter
Benchmark Mineral Intelligence's Power Players
ABOUT HENRY: Henry Sanderson is an author and journalist focusing on clean energy. He authored Volt Rush, the Winners and Losers in the Race to Go Green, which was chosen as a book of the week by the Observer, and one of the best science and environment books of 2022 by The Times. He also previously co-authored a book, China's Superbank: Debt, Oil and Influence - How China Development Bank is Rewriting the Rules of Finance. He is former journalist for the Financial Times and Bloomberg, he is currently the executive editor of Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, the leading provider of data and analysis on the battery supply chain.

FEEDBACK: Email Host | HOST, PRODUCTION, ARTWORK: Joseph Jacobelli | MUSIC: Ep0-29 The Open Goldberg Variations, Kimiko Ishizaka Ep30-50 Orchestra Gli Armonici – Tomaso Albinoni, Op.07, Concerto 04 per archi in Sol - III. Allegro. | Ep51 – Brandenburg Concerto No. 4 in G, Movement I (Allegro), BWV 1049 Kevin MacLeod. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

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In this episode we analyse national and corporate transition trends in Asia. We have invited a distinguished guest to discuss this topic: Prof. Dr. Sayuri Shirai. Dr. Shirai is an Advisor for Sustainable Policies at the Asian Development Bank Institute. She is also a professor of economics at Keio University. We discuss areas such as adaptation and mitigation in Asia. We also cover the phase-down or phase-out of coal-fired power plants. Additionally, we explore corporate climate disclosure and transition planning.
ABOUT DR SAYURI SHIRAI. Sayuri Shirai has been the Asian Development Bank Institute's Advisor for Sustainable Policies since 2022. She is also currently a professor of economics under Keio University’s faculty of policy management since 2016. From 2020-2021, she was a senior advisor to London-based EOS at Federated Hermes, which provides environmental, social, and governance (ESG)-related stewardship services on firms and public policy. She was a full-time member of the Policy Board of the Bank of Japan from 2011-2016, participating in making decisions on monetary policy and other central banking matters. She also taught at Sciences Po in Paris from 2007–2008 and served previously as an economist at the International Monetary Fund. She has published extensively on topics such as central bank digital currency, monetary policy, global finance, and ESG investment. She is also a contributing writer to the Japan Times and a frequent Japanese and international media commentator on Japan’s economy and global monetary policies. She holds a PhD in economics from Columbia University.

FEEDBACK: Email Host | HOST, PRODUCTION, ARTWORK: Joseph Jacobelli | MUSIC: Ep0-29 The Open Goldberg Variations, Kimiko Ishizaka Ep30-50 Orchestra Gli Armonici – Tomaso Albinoni, Op.07, Concerto 04 per archi in Sol - III. Allegro. | Ep51 – Brandenburg Concerto No. 4 in G, Movement I (Allegro), BWV 1049 Kevin MacLeod. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

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In this episode, we dive into the fascinating world of eco-friendly mining technology with Don Weatherbee, CEO of Regenx Tech, a company specializing in recycling precious metals from catalytic converters. Don shares the company's unique hydro metallurgic process, which is more environmentally sound than traditional mining and smelting. We discuss the market for platinum and palladium, the potential for growth, and the challenges in the recycling industry. Don also reveals Regenx Tech's journey from a junior mining company to a pioneer in catalytic converter recycling, with a focus on the underserved diesel market. We also discuss its fund raising approach. Join us as we explore the intersection of mining, recycling, and clean technology.
ABOUT DON: Don Weatherbee is the Chief Executive Officer of Regenx Tech Corp., a provider of a new clean-tech solution for the recovery of precious metals from end of life materials. He is an accomplished Senior Executive with extensive experience in leading complex operations with over 28 years in the mining and material processing sectors including 20 years at the executive level. He holds Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Alberta, a CPA, CMA from the Chartered Professional Accountants of Alberta, and a Certified Information Technology Professional (CITP) designation from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Don has worked for both privately held and publicly listed companies throughout his career.

FEEDBACK: Email Host | HOST, PRODUCTION, ARTWORK: Joseph Jacobelli | MUSIC: Ep0-29 The Open Goldberg Variations, Kimiko Ishizaka Ep30-50 Orchestra Gli Armonici – Tomaso Albinoni, Op.07, Concerto 04 per archi in Sol - III. Allegro. | Ep51 – Brandenburg Concerto No. 4 in G, Movement I (Allegro), BWV 1049 Kevin MacLeod. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License