O&G Deals 2007 Review
30/04/2008. Private equity investors were major oil and gas players in 2007, according to this annual review from PricewaterhouseCoopers. Remarkably, three of the top ten O&G deals involved private equity buyers. Private equity investment was also a notable feature in the midstream and service sectors. The extent of private equity investment in the top fifty deals is something that has not been seen in the sector in recent years.

2007 global power M&A soars to record levels, despite credit crunch
09/04/2008. Global power M&A soared to new record levels in 2007, despite the effects of the credit crunch, according to PricewaterhouseCoopers’ 2007 Power Deals report, an annual review of M&A within the global electricity and gas market.

Roll out the barrel
26/03/2008. With oil and gas revenues predicted to remain strong, many in the private equity world will have cause to celebrate, writes Mark Williams of August Equity.

The future ain't what it used to be
19/03/2008. Against the backdrop of a contracting economy, record-high oil prices, rising home foreclosures and consumer uncertainty, clean-energy markets grew by 40 per cent from $55bn in 2006 to $77.3bn in 2007, writes Ron Pernick of Clean Edge.

Direct energy investments
12/09/2007. In the search for the perfect asset allocation portfolio construction, direct energy investments have recorded one of the lowest correlations to other traditional investment classes, say Martin J Cohen and Steven King of Petroinvest.

Powering ahead: mergers and acquisitions in the global power and utilities industry
22/08/2007. The power industry is seeing a spate of major deals, finds KPMG, with some of the largest transactions the sector has seen being completed within the last 12 months. This consolidation, on both sides of the Atlantic, is driven by a number of factors: on-going deregulation; the search for secure energy supplies; and the availability of debt to support strong corporate balance sheets and potential financial buyers who are playing an increasing role in the sector.

KPMG energy survey 2007
08/08/2007. Oil and gas execs say a focus on renewable energy sources is key to addressing declining oil reserves, this KPMG survey finds. But mass production of renewable fuel not a near-term possibility, say 60 per cent - while 60 per cent believe that the trend of declining reserves is irreversible.

Cleaning up
27/06/2007. In this study, New Energy Finance focuses on private equity and venture capital investment in clean energy technologies, companies & projects.

Investment trends in European clean energy 2003–2006: watt bubble or carbonated fizz?
27/06/2007. Five years ago clean energy was not recognised as a sector which could offer attractive returns to serious investors, says the Carbon Trust. The supply of venture capital funding or private equity, both in Europe and North America, was restricted to a handful of specialist funds with relatively modest amounts of capital at their disposal. Much of the available capital was supported by government or quasi government funding.

Creating clean companies
06/06/2007. New Energy Finance looks at the key success factors for the incubation of clean energy technology companies.

Chinese clean energy development to beat targets
23/05/2007. New Energy Finance forecasts that China’s clean energy industry will outstrip even the ambitious targets being set by the country’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC). Renewable energy will supply up to 19.0 per cent of the country’s needs by 2020, but will require total investment of $267bn - around 50 per cent more than forecast by the NDRC.

At Hiriya, garbage is not a waste
16/05/2007. New technologies and an innovative Israeli company have transformed Israel’s largest garbage dump into one of the world’s largest and most advanced waste transfer stations comprised of a waste sorting and recycling hub as well as a green energy center, says the Israel Venture Capital Journal. In this article, Danny Sternberg, head of the operation for the Dan Region Association of Towns, Sanitation and Waste Disposal spoke with the IVCJ’s Rachelle Gershovitz about their plans for the future.

Private equity firms discover electricity - and lead the charge for energy investment
16/05/2007. Earlier this year, notes Knowledge Wharton, a consortium of private equity firms led by Kohlberg Kravis Roberts banded together to acquire TXU Corp., the Texas utility company, for $32bn in one of the largest private equity deals ever proposed. According to private equity experts, a new regulatory climate and innovative derivatives smoothing volatility are drawing attention to energy, along with a macro-environment in which emerging economies demand a growing share of the world's energy resources. Meanwhile, other firms are making investments throughout the sector, including funds established to finance infrastructure and others dabbling in alternative energy.

Cleantech needs government support
25/04/2007. Government support can provide a needed boost to Israel’s clean technology industry and significantly increase its chances for success in world markets, says Dr Ofira Ayalon in this IVCJ article. Environmental technologies can contribute to economic growth as well as improve environmental quality and protection of resources. The annual world market for clean technologies (cleantech), valued at more than $200bn, is one of the fastest growing markets in the world.

There’s gold in them thar gases
18/04/2007. Private equity firms can benefit economically by combating greenhouse gas emissions, says the Israel Venture Capital Journal. In this article, Edith Molot, senior project manager at EcoTraders, explains how.

Cleantech venture investment in Israel: opportunities in deep, uncharted, waters
28/03/2007. Can Israel’s emerging cleantech industry become an investor favorite in the same way that high-tech industries have? In this article from the Israel Venture Capital Journal, Jack Levy, a founder of newly established Israel Cleantech Ventures, gives his view.

Watering grounds
21/03/2007. Innovation in advanced water solutions has been synonymous with Israel for many years. In this IVCJ article, Mira Rashty, general manager of Waterfronts – Israel Water Alliance examines several water segments where Israeli companies are making waves.

Raising capital for alternative energy companies
07/03/2007. In this IVCJ article, Bic Stevens, managing partner at Ardour Capital Investments, answers frequently asked questions about raising capital for alternative energy companies.

Cleantech is ripe for growth
14/02/2007. Cleantech is poised to add to economic growth if IPO and M&A trends continue. In this IVCJ article, Nicholas Parker, co-founder and chairman of the Cleantech Capital Group LLC, along with Candace Stuart, Cleantech Capital’s director of publications, explain why.

Something new under the sun
24/01/2007. Solar power can become a major source of energy at a competitive price, and the technology exists now, says Dr Daniel Kaftori in this IVCJ article.

Japan’s cleantech industry offers high potential
10/01/2007. Japan has risen to the forefront of countries developing environmental technologies, says the IVCJ. In this article, Harel-Hertz Investment House’s Manager of Business Development, Liron Neugarten, and Market Research Specialist, Reut Harari, examine the moves being made in Japan toward growing the clean technology market.

Renewable energy brief: biofuels
20/12/2006. As carbon energy prices climb ever higher, interest in renewables is gaining increasing momentum. Not only do higher carbon fuel prices make renewables more viable economically, they also address an increasing concern over enegy security, says Augusta and Co. in this briefing document.

Cleantech finds investors in Israel
29/11/2006. Israeli venture capital has at last discovered cleantech. In this IVCJ article, Ira Moskowitz surveys the local venture capital scene for the latest in cleantech activity.

Alternative energy: prospects and pitfalls
07/11/2006. Alternative energy technologies are increasingly being sought out as oil prices have surged. But which technologies are likely to be successful in meeting a significant share of our energy needs? Professor Shmuel Ben-Yaakov, head of the Power Electronics Lab at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) and founder of Green Power Technologies, discusses the various alternative technologies with the IVCJ’s Leora Eren Frucht and provides his evaluation of the sector.

The end of oil? Venture capital firms raise the profile of alternative energy
25/10/2006. In President Bush's State of the Union address on January 31st 2006 - in which famously declared that America is addicted to oil - he touted alternative energy as the answer to the country's dependence on foreign oil, especially since much of it is imported from unstable nations. To that end, he promised a 22 per cent increase in clean-energy research at the US Department of Energy in an attempt to change the way the country powers its homes, offices and automobiles. He hopes to accomplish that through zero-emission coal-fired plants, revolutionary solar and wind technologies, and clean, safe nuclear energy.

The (bigger) business development story in Russia
11/10/2006. The Soviets created many technologies widely used by the energy industry, says Thomas D. Nastas, president at Innovative Ventures, in this article from Realizing Russian Potential. Is Russia poised to make new contributions? The author goes on to look what is the go-forward strategy to incorporate these innovations to create competitive advantage in local and international markets?

Real time
27/09/2006. International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) implementation is posing unique challenges to companies in the oil & gas and utilities industries, says PricewaterhouseCoopers. This report highlights the specific issues faced in the energy sector and examines how companies are responding to these dilemmas.

Onshore wind: powering ahead
26/07/2006. Onshore wind is the leading renewable energy technology of the times, says BWEA, in their research at the end of last year to accurately forecast the delivery of onshore wind capacity in the UK by 2010.

India energy outlook
16/05/2006. A rapidly increasing population and growing urbanization has put immense pressure on energy and natural resources in India, finds KPMG, as traditional sources of energy such as fossil fuel reserves are depleting. Investment requirements are therefore huge.

Energy Outlook for China 2006
10/05/2006. This KPMG paper assesses the complexities and challenges of meeting the growing energy needs of China in 2006, and paints the background private equity need to be aware of when entering this seemingly insatiable market.

Which way to value energy and utilities?
25/04/2006. Power and utility executives and their PE backers tend to share certain assumptions about what will drive value creation over the next five years. However, this study by Deloitte Research, including interviews with 40 industry executives, regulators, financiers, and environmentalists, shows new challenges could be in store between now and 2010.

Solar electricity brief: rays of hope?
10/04/2006. As carbon energy prices climb ever higher, interest in renewables is gaining increasing momentum. Not only do higher carbon fuel prices make renewables more viable economically, they also address an increasing concern over energy security. This paper sets out the economics of solar electricity generation.

Recycling investors need more options
15/03/2006. Where there's muck there's brass, runs an old north of England saying. Private equity firms know that there is a lot of truth in that, both literally and metaphorically, says Eco Investor. Generation after generation, successful businesses have been built on the process of salvaging useful materials from waste.

Future Marine Energy
14/02/2006. This report from the Carbon Trust presents the findings of a detailed study into the cost-competitiveness and potential growth of wave and tidal stream energy (marine renewables).

Energy surge
14/12/2005. Escalating global demand is switching private equity investors on to breakthrough energy technology, says Scottish Equity Partners. The growing energy-related technology sector of the venture capital market is one with considerable potential.

3i examines the prospects for North Sea oil and gas
02/11/2005. Since 3i last published a report on 'The prospects for North Sea oil and gas' in 2004 there have been some significant developments. From a private equity viewpoint the key dynamics include; sustained high oil prices; large fall in new, small oil companies seeking North Sea position; big opportunities remain for novel hybrid oil and gas/service/investor solutions; sharp improvement in prospects for UK-based oil and gas supply chain; while Norway is emerging as a place for private equity to invest in supply chain opportunities.

Water goes high-tech
12/10/2005. In this IVCJ article, Booky Oren, Chairman of Mekorot, Israel's national water company, describes the burgeoning water technology market that has recently found new entrants from among major global companies. Oren points out that Mekorot's initiatives in water technology are now presenting interesting opportunities for venture capitalists.

Investing in natural gas
05/10/2005. Private equity investors should be aware that projections for world energy demand, and the likelihood of oil prices continuing to rise, suggest that any over-supply situation will be quickly self correcting as natural gas will increasingly be used for new purposes, for example for powering motor vehicles, says Adrian Herbert in his article for the Eco Investor magazine.

China could yet swing to power over-supply as generation continues apace
14/09/2005. Despite constant reminders of China’s insatiable appetite for all forms of energy, private equity investors should be aware that fears still remain that the country could actually swing rapidly from shortage to over-supply, according to an energy sector report from KPMG in China.

Power deals: 2004 annual review
23/08/2005. M&A activity is likely to increase in the power industry as leaders seek strong regional footprints in 2005, says PricewaterhouseCoopers in this look at mergers and acquisitions activity within the global electricity and gas market.

Energy, utilities & mining - a regional outlook
27/07/2005. In line with global trends, many of the major Asian regional players have indicated their preferences to expand into the contiguous areas and markets, primarily though mergers and acquisitions, says PricewaterhouseCoopers in their Asia-Pacific M&A Bulletin.

Investment Trends in UK Clean Technology 2000 – 2004
23/05/2005. From an investor's perspective the last few years have seen the clean technology sector begin to emerge as a discrete investment category. Not only has the number of new technology businesses coming forward for investment grown, but recently there has also been an increase in interest from public markets in clean technology both in the UK and continental Europe, the report commissioned by The Carbon Trust found. The sector is also being driven by a number of macro factors coming together - from the ratification of the Kyoto Protocol to the perceived long term upswing in hydrocarbon prices and the arrival of a range of serial entrepreneurs bringing in expertise from other technology sectors.

Active target – energy plays in private equity
16/05/2005. At the peak of the liquidity and credit crisis three years ago with capital markets closed to speculative energy firms, one of the few places for financially battered companies to turn was non-traditional sources such as private equity and hedge firms, says David Haarmeyer and George Givens of Global Energy.

Investing in energy technologies
10/05/2005. The global demand for energy is increasing and the need to improve energy efficiencies and reduce the emission of greenhouse gases is eminent. So far, energy production has been based on large power stations and CHP plants. However, in the last ten years several new energy solutions, based on smaller decentralised energy technologies, have become a real supplement to traditional forms of energy supply, say Henrik Berchtold and Thomas Skovbjerg from BankInvest Group.

Energy Outlook
07/12/2004. Oil prices are rocketing, global energy consumption is on the increase, and oil and gas reserves are being depleted at a rate which exceeds the new reserves that are being brought on stream, says David Sneddon of Scottish Equity Partners. However SEP believes that, despite the uncertain outlook, our future energy needs will be met and that technology innovation has a major role to play in delivering that goal.

Deregulation of the US electric power industry and the opportunities it creates for private equity
22/07/2004. Fundamental upheaval in the electric power industry is creating unprecedented private equity investment opportunities. One major contributing factor is the deregulation of the United States power markets. Since the advent of deregulation, the private equity industry has assumed a lead role in taking advantage of these opportunities, bringing benefit to its investors, the power industry, and the energy-using population, according to John Buehler of the Energy Investors Funds (EIF).

The (re) emergence of energy technology
21/06/2004. Over the past year, energy technology has been the subject of escalating interest from the venture community and its institutional investor base. Investment activity in areas such as alternative energy, emissions control, and energy management continues to increase, led largely by a handful of small, pioneering venture firms as well as several large, generalist funds that are making their first forays into the sector, according to Vincenzo La Ruffa of EnerTech Capital.

Power deals 2003
08/03/2004. Last year marked a historical low for mergers and acquisitions in the global electricity and gas market, according to PricewaterhouseCoopers annual report on the sector. But a substantial 69 per cent of the value of deals made in 2003 was achieved in the second half of the year, signalling renewed hopes that the market is finally over the worst.

The Indian power sector
17/09/2003. India's power sector has undergone a series of fundamental reforms during the last decade. The result, according to Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, is that the industry has become increasingly attractive to foreign investors.

European wind power: thar she blows
29/07/2003. The UK government recently announced measures to increase the number of offshore wind turbines around Britain's coast dramatically, generating as much energy as around six nuclear power plants. Wind power is therefore critical in the development of the renewable energy sector and is becoming an increasingly popular destination for investment. Augusta Finance discusses its importance and highlights four major trends in the wind power industry.

Power deals - annual review
08/07/2003. The global energy markets have attracted increased attention since the fall of Enron and the subsequent consolidation that the sector has experienced. Mark Hughes of PricewaterhouseCoopers assesses the importance of the mergers and acquisitions industry in energy's continued development.

European wind power: social conscience on the cheap
28/05/2003. The alternative energy sector has become increasingly attractive to private equity investors in recent times. This is particularly true of wind power, a renewable energy source that is now even cheaper than coal or nuclear power. The European wind power sector is poised to experience considerable growth over the next decade, according to Augusta Finance.

A critical juncture for Russian power
14/05/2003. The Russian power industry will require massive levels of capital investment if the country is to avoid an impending electricity crisis. Three years ago the Russian government unveiled a reform programme designed to drag its largely state owned energy enterprises into the 21st century in order to attract vital foreign investment into the sector. Marian Hagler, Peter O'Driscoll and Robert Wagner of Coudert Brothers discuss whether it is too little, too late.

The Italian Power Market
07/05/2003. Liberalisation of the Italian power market has picked up pace since the introduction of a rigorous reform programme in 1999. Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer explores the past, present and future of Italy's energy industry in light of these changes.

Powering up the power industry
16/04/2003. China's State Council recently approved a structural reform plan for China's power industry. It is expected that this development will open the door to more foreign investment. Petrina Tam and Kai Jiang of PricewaterhouseCoopers discuss the reforms and the potential modes of entry for foreign investors.

US Fund Tracker: March 2003
02/04/2003. March saw two new venture funds enter the market and four final closes raising a total of $780m.

Our energy future - creating a low carbon economy
05/03/2003. Historically, the United Kingdom has been rich in supplies of fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas. Yet these traditional energy supplies continually face new challenges as their environmental cost starts to be counted. This white paper from the UK government's Department of Trade and Industry outlines such challenges and argues that a new era for the energy market is imminent. This will create new opportunities for investors in the sector

Slow progress towards power sector reform in Mexico
04/03/2003. The energy sector is one that is drawing an increasing amount of attention among investors. And in Mexico the government has recently indicated its willingness to permit privatization of electricity supply, providing new opportunities for those prepared to take the risk. Monica Restrepo of Coudert Brothers gives an overview of the reforms.

Climate change for Europe's utilities
27/01/2003. The European Commission has made a proposal to cap the greenhouse gas emissions of Europe's 5,000 largest power and industrial plants, starting January 2005. Its "cap-and-trade" scheme would allow them to buy and sell emissions rights to minimise the cost of regulation. However, a microeconomic model of the scheme has produced surprising conclusions, and no strategic decision or valuation in the European utilities industry should be taken without considering them.

Is the liberalisation of the French energy sector gathering momentum?
26/11/2002. Deregulation is making the energy sector more attractive to investors all over the EU. In France, however, there are unique factors that have made liberalisation more difficult to implement. Dominique Brault of Coudert Brothers explains the issues and provides an overview of the situation in France, as well as the possibilities for the future.

Thinking small
19/11/2002. Nanotech is fast becoming the next big thing in the world of venture capital. Combine nanotechnology with fuel cell development and you have some pretty lucrative potential. In this interview with Jackie Ying, director of the Nanostructured Materials Research Laboratory in the US and founder of two nano-energy start-ups, the Forbes/Wolfe Nanotech Report takes a look at the future potential for this burgeoning sector.

Power Deals
29/10/2002. After a slow start to the year, the global power sector showed signs of recovery in the second quarter of 2002, with merger and acquisition activity making a strong comeback. Globally there has been a rise in the number of power deals and a rise in the total value of those deals. PricewaterhouseCoopers reviews the quarter's findings and discusses the outlook for the sector.

Financial retrospect in the energy sector
01/10/2002. 2001 was an incredibly turbulent year for the electric power industry and 2002 looks set to be even more eventful. Government regulations, debates on energy legislation and the continuing effects of the Enron debacle are all challenges that the sector will have to overcome. But, as the Edison Electric Institute discusses, there are some positive aspects of which investors should not lose sight.

Stimulating ideas - and winning investments
17/09/2002. In a bid to shore up their flagging balance sheets, utilities companies are cutting back on their investments into research and development projects. They are also dramatically reducing the levels of investment into venture capital funds as their R&D budgets are slashed. But, argues Ken Silverstein of Scientech, the cutback in funding in the sector could be short-sighted.

Distributed generation making waves in venture capital pool
10/09/2002. A culmination of energy deregulation, a general slowdown in the economy, the dotcom meltdown and rising natural gas prices have all helped to create an exciting environment for venture capital investors within the energy sector. Energy Info Source discusses the opportunities that now abound within the industry.

Volatile gas
31/08/2001. The deregulation of Europe's energy markets could have surprising effects according to a model detailed in this article from the McKinsey Quarterly.