Stock Market Week 16/26: RENIXX Hits New Yearly High – U.S. Shift on Hydrogen – Bloom Energy Stock Surges – Double Opportunity Plug Power – Vestas: Bulgaria Order
Münster (Germany) - The RENIXX broke through the 1,300-point mark last week and reached a new yearly high. With this breakout, the index moved beyond its previous trading range of 1,200 to 1,300 points, even though it failed to hold that level by the end of the week.
Green stocks remain caught in geopolitical tensions and U.S. shift on hydrogen
Last week highlighted the current speed of market changes. The announcement that the Strait of Hormuz would remain open during the ceasefire led to falling oil prices and rising equity markets. For green stocks, this creates mixed effects: lower oil prices reduce short-term momentum for renewables, while declining inflation and interest rate expectations support growth and renewable energy stocks.
In the U.S., a policy shift on hydrogen projects is emerging. According to Bloomberg, around $5 billion in funding for five regional hydrogen hubs is expected to remain in place, despite earlier uncertainty. This marks a notable reversal: as recently as 2025, the U.S. Department of Energy had announced major cuts to hydrogen and climate programs. However, projects tied to industry and natural gas—particularly in Texas, Appalachia, and the Midwest—are likely to benefit most, while green hydrogen projects on the West Coast still face pressure.
According to Wood Mackenzie, global investment in power and renewable projects may decline slightly in 2026, mainly due to reduced incentives in China. However, analysts expect this to be temporary before long-term growth resumes. For the hydrogen sector, 2026 is seen as a pivotal year, with first final investment decisions anticipated for several major hydrogen and ammonia projects.
Company news Week 16/26
Bloom Energy and Oracle build AI power grid of the future with fuel cells
Bloom Energy and Oracle are significantly expanding their cooperation in AI data centers. A master agreement provides for up to 2.8 gigawatts of fuel cell capacity, with 1.2 GW already under implementation. The driver is the rapidly growing energy demand from the AI boom, pushing hyperscalers like Oracle to secure fast, reliable power solutions. Bloom Energy’s stationary fuel cells can be deployed on-site, independent of the grid, and scaled as needed. Bloom Energy stock jumps 24.2% to €176.40.
Double opportunity: Plug Power
Plug Power is increasingly benefiting from the growing hydrogen market. In Germany, around 90 tonnes of hydrogen were successfully stored in salt caverns as part of the H2CAST project, marking an important step for large-scale hydrogen storage in Europe. At the same time, positive signals are coming from the U.S., where planned funding for hydrogen projects may be maintained. Major initiatives such as the Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub and the Midwest Alliance for Clean Hydrogen—both involving Plug—could benefit. Plug Power stock closes at €2.36, unchanged from the previous week.
Vestas secures 70 MW order for wind farm in Bulgaria
Vestas has received a 70 MW order for the Strazhitsa wind project in Bulgaria. The project includes 11 EnVentus V162-6.4 MW turbines and a long-term service agreement. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in early 2027, with commissioning planned within the same year. The project is seen as a key boost for wind energy in Bulgaria. Vestas stock falls 3% to €25.49.
Verbund successfully places €700 million EU green bond
Verbund has successfully issued a €700 million green bond with a seven-year maturity, which was heavily oversubscribed. The proceeds will be invested in sustainable projects in Austria, including renewable energy expansion, grid modernization, and storage capacity such as pumped storage hydropower. Verbund stock declines sharply by 5.9% to €62.20.
EDPR expands global solar platform and enters Japan
EDP Renewables continues to expand its global solar portfolio, with more than 2 GW of projects now managed via a digital platform. The company is also strengthening its presence in Asia-Pacific through a new power purchase agreement for a solar project in Japan. A 28 MWp solar park is planned in Miyagi Prefecture. EDPR stock was under pressure last week, falling 7.2% to €13.32.
Technical outlook: RENIXX breaks out of sideways range
From late 2023 to early January 2025, RENIXX traded in a broad sideways range between 1,000 and 1,200 points. The low of 748 points in 2025 marked a key turning point and now serves as a major support level.
Since then, the index has rebounded significantly, reaching a new yearly high of 1,323.75 points last week and breaking above the 1,200–1,300 range, even if it could not fully maintain that level.
In the short term, the breakout is technically confirmed but not yet firmly established. The former resistance zone around 1,280 to 1,300 points is now in focus and could act as initial support in case of pullbacks. Below that, the 1,200 level remains important, while the long-term support zone lies between 1,000 and 1,100 points.
RENIXX starts the week lower
In early trading of the new week, RENIXX is slightly down. Gains are seen in Daqo New Energy, Meridian Energy, Xinyi Solar, Ørsted, and Vestas, while the biggest losses are recorded by China Longyuan, Enphase Energy, Sunrun, Array Technologies, and Xpeng.
About the global RENIXX World index and the planned RENIXX ETF
The RENIXX World (Renewable Energy Industrial Index, ISIN: DE000RENX014) is the world’s first stock index for renewable energy and the oldest global benchmark for this industrial sector of the future. It covers wind, solar, bioenergy, geothermal, hydropower, e-mobility, hydrogen, and fuel cells. The index includes 30 international companies with the highest free-float market capitalization and reflects both performance and global market development of the renewable energy industry.
RENIXX was launched on May 1, 2006, with a base value of 1,000 points, with historical data calculated back to 2002. The index is available via major financial media and data providers such as Bloomberg, Reuters, Financial Times, BlackRock (Aladdin), and Wallstreet Online.
To mark its 20th anniversary, IWR plans to launch an exchange-traded fund (ETF) to make the RENIXX investable in a transparent and regulated format, potentially in cooperation with an established white-label ETF provider.
Source: IWR Online, 20 Apr 2026
