Ant Group, through its technology unit, Ant Digital Technologies, has linked energy assets worth over 60 billion yuan, or about $8.4 billion, to the AntChain blockchain network.
According to Bloomberg, Ant Digital has deployed approximately 15 million renewable energy devices, ranging from wind turbines to solar panels.
Data from these devices is fed into the blockchain to monitor electricity output and detect potential disruptions more quickly. This allows energy providers to more easily anticipate problems in the field.
Ant Group pushes tokenization to fund clean energy projects
This step also opens up new avenues for financing. Ant Digital announced that it has raised approximately 300 million yuan, or nearly US$42 million, to support three clean energy projects.
The funds were obtained through asset tokenization, which converts real energy projects into digital tokens that investors can access. This eliminates the need for capital access from traditional channels.
However, the ambitious plans don’t stop there. Ant Group is preparing a scheme to issue energy tokens that can be traded on an international decentralized exchange.
This idea is clearly attractive because it offers an opportunity for global investors to participate, even if they must await regulatory approval. Cross-border tokenization always carries complex legal challenges.
Not only that, but this step also demonstrates that blockchain can penetrate a rarely touched sector: renewable energy.
Until now, most people probably only associate blockchain with crypto assets or digital payment systems. Now, its uses are much broader, ranging from energy data transparency, management efficiency, and accelerating capital flow to green projects.
Furthermore, this approach could drive a transformation in clean energy management in China. Integrating blockchain with energy devices allows for a more transparent system that can be monitored by various parties.
This transparency has the potential to increase investor confidence and support the energy transition agenda being promoted in many countries.
If the plan to issue tokens on international exchanges is realized, it is not impossible that Ant Group will become a pioneer in opening up digital energy asset trading channels.