Energy

Clean energy investment up 14% in first quarter of 2014

Published

11 years ago

April 14, 2014

Blue & Green Tomorrow

Investment in the clean energy grew 14% to $61 billion (£36 billion) in the first quarter of 2014, with the offshore wind, solar and energy efficiency sectors leading the way.

Venture capital, private equity, project finance and public market figures released by financial data provider Clean Energy Pipeline said that finance in the low-carbon energy sector was growing.

Investment in clean energy has risen by 14% compared to same period in 2013. Offshore wind developments are expected to provide high levels of project finance in the second quarter of the year, while projects in emerging markets, such as a geothermal plant in Indonesia, also contributed to boost the level of finance.

Douglas Lloyd, CEO of Clean Energy Pipeline said, “New clean energy investment was encouraging in 1Q14, marking a welcome change from recent press releases where we have been reporting year-on-year declines.

“The continued strength of the public markets is also giving the sector a more positive feel.”

Global mergers and acquisitions were particularly high in the energy efficiency and wind sectors. Among these was a 25% acquisition stake of the London Array by a Canadian institutional fund, worth around $1 billion.

Venture capital and private equity investment fell by 14% compared to 2013, but investment in solar reached a 10-quarter high.

Energy minister Greg Barker recently said that the UK is an attractive country for renewable energy investment. Analysis by EY also confirmed that Britain is particularly interesting for those wishing to invest in offshore wind projects, but a more recent report warned that too much uncertainty on policies was undermining investors’ trust.

Photo: Peter Heilmann via Flickr