Clean Energy Market Liquidity and the Role of CleanTrade

The global clean energy sector is at a pivotal juncture. In 2025, total clean energy investment reached a record $3.3 trillion, with $2.2 trillion directed toward renewables, grids, storage, and low-emissions fuels according to the IEA report. Yet, beneath this impressive figure lies a stark imbalance: emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs) have secured only 15% of this funding as data shows. This disparity underscores a systemic challenge-investment infrastructure gaps that hinder the sector's ability to scale and meet net-zero targets.

Equity Investment Gaps in EMDEs

Equity investment in EMDEs, critical for de-risking clean energy projects, is projected to grow at a mere 5.4% annually between 2025 and 2035, reaching $160 billion per year in the base case scenario according to CPI analysis. However, this falls far short of the $375 billion required annually to align with a net-zero pathway, creating a $215 billion annual equity gap as CPI estimates. The solution, as proposed by the Climate Policy Initiative (CPI), lies in catalytic equity-capital that reduces risk and enhances returns to attract additional private investment. CPI estimates that $12–25 billion in catalytic equity annually could bridge this gap according to the CPI report.

Grid Infrastructure Bottlenecks

Beyond equity shortages, grid infrastructure remains a critical bottleneck. Advanced economies will need to expand their grids by at least 50%, while EMDEs require over 150% growth by 2050 to meet energy and climate goals as research shows. Yet, global grid investment is expected to fall short of the $600 billion needed annually by 2030. Compounding this issue are permitting delays and long lead times for infrastructure projects, which further stall progress according to WRI findings.

CleanTrade: A Liquidity Catalyst

Enter REsurety's CleanTrade platform, launched in September 2025 as a Swap Execution Facility (SEF) under CFTC oversight as reported by Bitget. CleanTrade addresses these liquidity challenges by standardizing the trading of Virtual Power Purchase Agreements (VPPAs), Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), and Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs). Within two months of its launch, the platform attracted over $16 billion in notional value, reflecting strong institutional demand for structured, low-risk clean energy investments according to market data.

. The platform's design enhances transparency and risk management. It provides real-time pricing data, detailed carbon impact metrics, and automated compliance features, enabling investors to hedge against energy price volatility as described in the platform's documentation. By aggregating demand and standardizing pricing, CleanTrade lowers transaction costs and opens new avenues for ESG-aligned investments according to Bitget analysis. For instance, its end-to-end workflows streamline project evaluation, contract negotiation, and post-transaction settlement, reducing the friction that has historically plagued clean energy markets as detailed in the platform's case study.

Bridging the Gap Between Sustainability and Finance

CleanTrade's impact is particularly significant in a market historically hindered by fragmented liquidity and project-specific risks as noted by industry experts. By treating renewable assets as tradable commodities, the platform aligns sustainability goals with financial performance. As the clean energy sector expands, such innovations will be critical in attracting institutional capital. According to a report by Bitget, platforms like CleanTrade are enabling investors to navigate the complexities of clean energy markets with greater confidence as Bitget reports.

Conclusion

The clean energy transition hinges on closing investment infrastructure gaps. While catalytic equity and grid expansion remain urgent priorities, platforms like CleanTrade are redefining market liquidity. By standardizing transactions, reducing risks, and enhancing transparency, CleanTrade not only addresses current shortfalls but also lays the groundwork for a scalable, investor-friendly clean energy ecosystem. For investors, this represents a unique opportunity to align portfolios with both climate objectives and robust financial returns.