CARBON FINANCING AND PROFITABILITY OF RENEWABLE ENERGY FIRMS REGISTERED UNDER THE ENERGY AND PETROLEUM REGULATORY AUTHORITY, KENYA
CARBON FINANCING AND PROFITABILITY OF RENEWABLE ENERGY FIRMS REGISTERED UNDER THE ENERGY AND PETROLEUM REGULATORY AUTHORITY, KENYA
Wainaina Kareithi Samuel - Masters of Science in Finance, Department of Accounting and Finance, Kenyatta University, Kenya
Dr. Moses Odhiambo Aluoch (PhD) - Department of Accounting and Finance, Kenyatta University, Kenya
Dr. Caroline Kimutai (PhD) - Department of Accounting and Finance, Kenyatta University, Kenya
ABSTRACT
Erratic profitability for renewable energy firms has pushed them to looking for additional sources of funding and carbon financing has emerged as a critical source which also contributes to achieving sustainable growth. By allowing businesses to generate revenue through the sale of carbon credits, carbon financing offers a powerful incentive for investing in cleaner technologies and processes. This financial mechanism not only supports companies in meeting regulatory climate commitments but also opens new revenue streams, increasing profitability and enhancing their financial resilience. Despite Kenya’s rich potential, high capital costs, inconsistent regulations, limited financing, and operational inefficiencies hinder firms’ financial sustainability. Additional issues like grid connectivity, market competition, and currency fluctuations further complicate their profitability. The study’s principal aim was to establish a link between carbon financing and profitability of renewable firms registered under Kenya’s Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority. More precisely, the study examined key carbon financing variables that include carbon credits, project initial cost, credit issuance and transactional costs, tax incentives and their effect on profitability. The study was based on and supported by the resource-based view theory, market-based theory and agency theory. The study employed a descriptive survey design and adopted a positivist research philosophy. The research design relied on primary data collected using a structured questionnaire that relates to carbon financing. The target population was fifty (50) renewable energy companies registered under Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority, and a population approach was used. Both descriptive and inferential statistics was used for data analysis with the help of Scientific Package Social Sciences (SPSS). Descriptive statistics including mean and standard deviation. A multiple regression model was performed to estimate the relationship between carbon financing and profitability. The results were presented on frequency tables, charts, and graphs. The results revealed that carbon credit, tax incentives, credit issuance and transactional costs and projects costs have significant effect on the profitability of renewable energy firms registered under the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority. Further, firm size does have a significant moderating effect on the relationship between carbon financing and profitability of renewable energy firms registered under the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority. Therefore, all the five hypotheses were not supported and the study concluded that carbon financing has significant effect on profitability of renewable energy firms registered under the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority and this effect is strengthened by firm size. The study recommended that management should consider diversifying the types of carbon credit projects in which the firm engages. Expanding into various carbon credit initiatives, such as forest preservation and renewable energy projects, can help mitigate risks associated with fluctuations in carbon credit prices and market demand. The government should continue to support the development and growth of carbon credit markets, both locally and internationally. Policies should focus on creating a stable and transparent regulatory framework that encourages both local and foreign investments in carbon credit projects.
