Trump return likely to slow clean-energy boom

Executive action: A man looks over portable solar panels he uses to supplement power to his home in Texas. Trump is likely to enact a moratorium on new offshore-wind lease sales. — Bloomberg

HOUSTON: Donald Trump’s return to the White House will refocus the nation’s energy policy onto maximising oil and gas production and away from fighting climate change, but the Republican win in Tuesday’s presidential election is unlikely to dramatically slow the US renewable energy boom.

Investor fears of a reversal under Trump sent clean-energy stocks down sharply on Wednesday. The MAC Global Solar Energy index was down 10% in midday trade, while shares of top renewable project developer and owner NextEra Energy slid 6.2%.