The acceleration in solar and wind projects coincided with GE's $10.6 billion acquisition of French multinational Alstom's power assets in 2015. It is now clear that GE overpaid for that purchase, which expanded its footprint in the global turbine market, according to Aguilar. In May, Alstom announced it was exercising its right to sell GE its $3.1 billion stake in renewables, grid and nuclear energy joint ventures. On Monday, GE signaled it would take a $23 billion impairment charge. Sources told CNBC the charge was largely related to assets associated with Alstom.