NEW ENERGY INVESTMENT EXPECTED TO SURGE

When investigating, follow the money; when investing, follow the SMART money to renewables.

Investment in renewables surges to meet demand for alternative energy
Ashley Seager, August 6, 2007 (UK Guardian Unlimited)

WHO
Jonathan Johns, head of renewable energy for accounting giant Ernst & Young;

click to enlarge

WHAT
The Ernst & Young "renewable energy country attractiveness index"finds demand for renewables surging at “unprecedented rates” and predicts global investment will increase seven times over in the next 10 years.

WHEN
2006: Global investment in renewables was 50 billion pounds ($100+ billion).
2017: Global investment in renewables expected to reach 375 billion pounds ($750+ billion).

WHERE
Globally.

WHY
Renewables growth rate: 20-30%/year.
The UN environment program reported renewables investment went up 43% in 2006 and concluded 25% of world electricity will come from renewables by 2030.
Competition is fierce. The US is first in investment growth and recent state and federal legislative activity boosting incentives is expected to stimulate that. The UK’s investment in renewables is now tied with India and Spain for 2nd in the world. Germany, now 5th, is expected to move up.

Is there a discernible trend? hmmm...(click to enlarge)

QUOTES
- Johns: "Competition for assets is intense and trade players are increasingly battling for supply chain presence. Further takeover speculation has fuelled share price rises this year and while global trading markets have been tumbling, energy stocks appear to have escaped relatively unscathed for the time being."
- Johns: "The ability to acquire and commercialize new technologies, enter new markets and diversify across the industry requires a strong balance sheet, a track record of raising finance for new acquisitions and a dynamic approach - it's not for the faint-hearted."