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. 
Despite its success in incubating new and innovative technologies, the US is failing in its task to provide the necessary support to capitalise on these areas, particularly in the alternative energy and cleantech sector. 
The European biomass market is booming with a strong appetite for a consistent flow of feedstock, which has prompted young cleantech company Africa Renewables to tap into this supply opportunity. 
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. 
A cautious investor community may still hinder the opportunities for global growth in the water treatment space, despite the immense potential for improvement and efficiency. 
Engaging the private sector in the opportunities within renewable energy and cleantech continues to be critical if emissions targets are to be met, according to former UNFCCC head Yvo de Boer. 
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. 
The new push for smart energy management reflects a global push towards standardisation in a traditionally fragmented industry, with Europe set to be a rich breeding ground for new smart metering capabilities, says Steve Cunningham, CEO of Landis+Gyr UK. 
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. 
As part of an ambitious plan to increase its renewable energy portfolio over the coming years, power utility EDF Energy Renewables is closely engaged with the challenges and opportunities at the heart of the sector’s continued development. 
