April 22nd, 2006
When it comes to investment in the alternative/renewable energy and technology predictions vary as they usually do but even more so when entering into unexplored territory, maybe because all the options are as yet to be laid out. Also another factor that plays in, according to various information sources capital investment in alt/renew energy have not quite reached vogue status. However, one source relied on by industry investors, New Energy Finance provides the following financial predictions for investment in renewable energy:
Currently, only around $US 20 billion per year is invested worldwide in renewable energy capacity, mainly wind and solar, with some biomass and biofuels. A further $5 billion is spent on research each year, particularly into hydrogen and fuel cells.
We expect this figure to grow to over $100 billion globally within a decade – a sustained compound annual growth rate of 15-20%.
New Energy Finance
Separately, here's one recent example of an Angel alternative/renewable energy investment as reported by the Associated Press:
Venture capitalist John Doerr made his name and fortune with early investments in Netscape Communications Corp., Amazon.com Inc., Google Inc. and other pioneering tech firms that went from scrappy startups to household names… …"This field of greentech could be the largest economic opportunity of the 21st century," Doerr said. "There's never been a better time than now to start or accelerate a greentech venture."
Full Article
Another major player in the energy world is London's Impax Group: Impax
…a financial advisory and asset management Company quoted on the Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange.
The quick summary of what they're up to and into:
- …recently launched Impax New Energy Investors LP (the "New Energy Fund"), a private equity fund targeting investments in projects in the renewable energy and related sectors, predominantly in Western Europe.
- …raised debt and equity finance for the two largest biomass generators in Europe.
- …financial adviser to The Crown Estate for the second round of offshore wind leases, leading to awards worth up to 7.2 GW.
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There's the overview, for more information New Energy Finance offers a free weekly e-newsletter if you'd like to get more inside this area.
April 23rd, 2006 at 6:58 pm
It is sad that developed countries are not investing enough money in altenative energy. A country like India is now the fourth largest power in wind energy (http://www.southasiabiz.com/2006/04/india_flowing_with_wind_energy.html). If India can invest then why not the rich countries?
April 23rd, 2006 at 7:15 pm
hi… 4th largest in wind, 2nd largest in population that correlates; I do not know how the rest of the numbers correlate for other countries (population, gnp, % of gnp energy, % of energy wind… sounds like a whole study… but interesting none the less
June 19th, 2007 at 10:34 am
Well this is a curious thing, may be developed countries are more preoccupied to extend themselves and less preoccupied to conserve resources.
August 2nd, 2007 at 4:41 pm
John Doerr makes a strong point here: “As those Asian economies rise, people will move from rural to urban settings. All those people will want the same things that you and I want — clean water, power and transportation.”