Italian energy sector attracts investors

Mergermarket, which is owned by the Financial Times, highlighted the M&A trends for Italy today at the Green Investor Day in Milan.

The aim of the Green Investor Day is to match supply and demand for capital which coincides with the VedoGreen mission: the creation of a green financial market is essential for the support of private investment.

According Mergermarket, the Italian renewable energy sector has the most potential in Europe.

Laura Larghi, head of cleantech and renewable energy, Mergermarket, told GreenPort: “The growth in the green energy industry has benefited port areas in Europe, especially in the UK as sites for the exploration of new green energy technologies and concepts. Such a trend has not been seen in Italy yet, however there are many existing facilities with great potential.”

She added: “The green energy sector continues to attract investors. In the short term, the difficulties to raise financing as well as the lack of clear legal framework in several European countries are slowing down investments and medium and long term plans.”

Mergermarket’s data reveals that Q1 2013 saw five deals in the renewable energy sector with a €54m deal value and four deals in the solar sector for the same value. Between 2010 and Q1 2013, Italy alone had 27 renewable energy deals with a value of €2.3m, followed by the United Kingdom with only 8 deals and €928 in deal value.

Mergermarket says startup companies with innovative technologies and alternative business models continue to enter the sector.

The future growth in the sector is expected to be driven by increasing pressure to reach EU renewable targets by 2020 and a rise in demands for countries to invest.