Energy Academy
Financing Options Overview1 / 12

Debt vs Equity Financing

Corporate loans (on-balance); equity investment; blend depending on risk profile.

11 min read · Jacob Willis, Net Zero Lead · Last reviewed July 2026


Energy projects need funding, and the most fundamental choice is between debt and equity - borrowing money or using owned capital. Understanding these two basic routes, and how they combine, underpins all project financing.

In this lesson

  • 01The two basic routes
  • 02Debt financing
  • 03Equity financing
  • 04The cost of capital and gearing
  • 05Internal versus external capital
  • 06Matching financing to the project
  • 07The foundation for what follows
  • 08Sources and further reading