“Green bonds” are bonds whose proceeds are used to finance environmentally sustainable projects, for example renewable energy projects. For the first time, BKS Bank issues such a “green bond” in cooperation with Kelag, the energy supplier of the state of Carinthia. According to BKS CEO Herta Stockbauer, the issue size is eight million euros and has a duration of six years. The bonds carry an interest rate of 3.75 percent. The denomination was deliberately chosen to be low at €1000.
Investing in “green bonds”
The new “green bond” with Kelag is the ninth from BKS Bank since 2017, including financing projects such as sustainable construction, several photovoltaic systems and a small hydropower plant. This has been used, for example, to finance the construction of a biomass plant by a company in Upper Carinthia. Stockbauer emphasizes that the impact of these investments is also measured: an impact report is published online once a year.
Electricity needs for 2,900 families
Stockbauer says that with the proceeds from the “green bonds”, which have been on sale since Wednesday, December 6, several of Killage’s “photovoltaic lighthouse projects” can be implemented. The proceeds are used to finance rooftop photovoltaic systems at Kelag buildings as well as open space systems in Carinthia (e.g. in Klagenfurt and Bleiburg). In total, there is a total production of 8.6 megawatts of electricity generation per year, which will cover the needs of 2,900 families, explains Killage board member Danny Guthlin. “Green bonds now give citizens the opportunity to participate in the energy transition.”
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