New Energy World Network: Connecting Investors, Innovators & Deal-Makers worldwide
New Energy World Network: Connecting Investors, Innovators & Deal-Makers worldwide
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Industry leaders meet to discuss the key challenges and opportunities across the cleantech, renewable energy and sustainability sectors in 2012 at NewNet's Envirotech & Clean Energy Investor Summit.
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As an advisor to institutional investors such as pension funds, insurance companies and sovereign wealth funds, the emergence of investment opportunities in the global clean energy sector presents an opportunity that cannot be overlooked, says Emma Hunt, senior investment consultant at Towers Watson. 
Clyde Blowers Capital, the private equity firm spearheaded by Scottish engineering entrepreneur Jim McColl, bucked a tough fundraising environment when it closed its latest fund this week with commitments of £420m and through the vehicle is likely to increase its exposure to the alternative energy space. 
As a private equity fund of funds focused on the global mid market, Capvent has found itself with a growing exposure to the clean energy space, as it emerges as a conspicuous sub-sector in the growth capital market. 
A particularly difficult few years in terms of capital markets for potential initial public offerings has provided the opportunity for companies to develop their market position, according to Joaquim Rodrigues, CEO at Portuguese venture capital firm Espírito Santo Ventures. 
As a bilateral investment programme between the US and Israel, the BIRD Foundation aims to account for the shortfall of private funding available for R&D and commercialisation of emerging technology companies. 
Opportunities within an increasingly global market, coupled with the emergence of favourable regulatory environments, has seen lending to renewable energy projects come to be viewed as an integral business line for banks such as Société Générale. 
With its broad sectoral focus, global private equity firm The Riverside Company has built a reputation as one of the most active investors in the lower mid-market. Alongside a historic interest in sectors such as healthcare and communications, the firm is looking to build its presence as a clean energy investor, as the increase in activity and opportunities there makes it hard to ignore, according to Evelyne White, cleantech specialist at the firm. 
With a background in hedge fund management, Hazel Capital’s Ben Guest launched with the aim of investing and researching all aspects of the cleantech industry and exploiting those opportunities, both in public and private markets. 
For generalist venture capital investors, cleantech is beginning to carve out its own niche as a sector with a growing number of attractive opportunities, and can increasingly be viewed alongside more established technology sub-sectors. 
The growth of responsible and green investment has enjoyed increased success following the financial crisis, as investors favour sustainable methods of fostering their capital, according to Penny Shepherd, chief executive of sustainable investment and finance association UKSIF. 
Opportunities for energy efficiency and improvement in green building are almost unlimited, providing institutional capital can be found to drive the global potential for change. 
With both German and European industries currently leaders in low carbon areas such as energy efficiency and green technologies, much of the project financing pipeline is taken up with renewables, according to Andreas Ufer, global head of power, renewables and water at KfW IPEX-Bank. 
An existing investment exposure to industrial biotechnology companies is producing cross sector investment opportunities in the energy efficiency segments of the cleantech sector, according to Hubertus Leonhardt, a partner at Germany-based venture capital firm SHS. 
With the region’s progressive approach to alternative methods of energy generation, lending to renewable and environmental projects has long been a key component for the Nordic Investment Bank’s financing activities. 
Climate change is set to impact every aspect of the global economy, with investments on course to grow dramatically as opportunities arise in associated sectors such as energy efficiency, agriculture and renewable energy generation. 
Despite the UK’s history of innovation in the clean energy sector, it has fallen short in its commercialisation efforts, with many companies failing due to a lack of early stage support. 
Independent venture capital investor Albion Ventures is increasingly eyeing opportunities in the renewable energy and cleantech space. The London-based firm has £250m of venture capital trust funds under management and earlier this year said it aims to triple its allocation to the environmental sector. 
As France emerges as a proponent of stricter emissions targets in Europe, domestic banking group Dexia anticipates a spike in activity in its burgeoning renewable energy sector, despite a cautious approach from the lending community. 
Despite a difficult financial environment for asset managers and industries across the globe, capital is becoming more readily available for investment into green growth and clean energy technology, according to Alex O’Cinneide, head of investments at Masdar Capital. 
Having closed its €209m renewable energy-focused fund in March 2011, infrastructure investor Platina Partners is more than aware of the challenging fundraising environment, despite the clear and compelling offering available in the clean energy sector, says Thomas Rottner, managing partner at the firm. 
