M&A activity in the Renewable Energy sector is set to increase, with Europe predicted to see the most significant activity

Munich/London - The renewable energy space is expected to see a high level of M&A activity in the next 12 months, according to a new report published by mergermarket, in association with Rödl & Partner. In a survey conducted in Q2 2011 of 100 senior M&A practitioners involved in the renewable energy sector, 72% expect an increase in renewable energy M&A activity. This bullish sentiment could be attributed to a number of factors, including the devastating effects of the Fukushima disaster.

67% of respondents expect Europe to be at the forefront of this increase, forecasting the region will see significant activity. This is attributed by some respondents to Europe’s variety of resources, with one respondent noting that: \"Europe has a great diversity: The Nordics are great for wind power; Italy, Spain and Greece for solar; and continental Europe for geothermal and biomass.\" The long-term feed-in tariffs introduced by Germany are also highlighted as an important aid in bolstering renewable energy investment.

The renewable sector globally has seen 51 deals at a total value of €10.6bn this year-to-date. Iberdrola’s pending 20% stake bid for Iberdrola Renovables SA is the biggest deal of the year at €2.6bn, followed by Electricite de France SA’s €1.5bn bid for EDF Energies Nouvelles SA (50% stake).

Additional findings in the report include:

- A number of respondents commented on the recent Fukushima disaster, believing it will prompt a movement towards rethinking nuclear energy, making the renewable energy sector an attractive alternative;
- Respondents are split with regards to what impact the revolutions in North Africa will have on the renewable energy sector, with 44% believing that it will have an impact and 41% believing that it will not. A small percentage of respondents remain uncertain;
- More than two-thirds of respondents (67%) say that emerging markets are very important in the context of M&A activity in the renewable energy space;
- The wind power and solar thermal niches are expected to see bustling M&A over next year, while biomass gains greater prominence;
- Respondents deem SPVs as an ever more attractive option for acquisitions, while interest in classical share deals wanes;
- Nearly three-quarters of the survey pool (72%) believe government support will be a very significant external driver of M&A activity in the renewable energy sector over the coming year;
- Nearly one-third of respondents (31%) believe feed-in tariffs constitute the most effective government policy for driving investment in the renewable energy sector.

Click here to download the full report:
http://www.mergermarket.com/PDF/RoedlPartners_Renewables_2011.pdf


Dr. Marcus Felsner, Rödl & Partner Nuremberg, says:
\"The renewables industry has established itself as a major pillar of global economic growth. Given the dynamic of events earlier this year, the
commercial, political and social drive for fossil fuel independence has
only further empowered investors, big and small. High transaction activity
in this promising sector – both in developed and emerging markets – is
poised to continue well into the future.\"

Michael Wiehl, Rödl & Partner Nuremberg, says:
\"Investors of all shapes and sizes are competing against one another in this flourishing sector, therefore sustainable future growth can only be assured in two ways – by beating out the competitors or by acquiring them.\"

Stefan Brandes, Rödl & Partner Milan, says:
\"Trade and private equity buyers need investment opportunities in Italy. While other sectors are still bearing the brunt of the financial crisis, the wind power and solar thermal subsectors will provide such opportunities, thanks to the appealing incentives in place in Italy.\"


For more information please contact:

Anna Henderson
Mergermarket , a part of the Financial Times Group
Ph: +44(0)2070596180
E: anna.henderson@mergermarket.com

Matthias Struwe
Eye Communications
Ph: +49(761)1376221
E: m.struwe@eyecommunications.de


About mergermarket:
mergermarket is an unparalleled mergers and acquisitions (M&A) intelligence tool. In any market, the life blood of advisers is deal flow. Mergermarket is unique in the provision of origination intelligence to the investment banking, legal, private equity, acquisition finance, public relations and corporate markets. With an unrivalled network of journalists covering M&A across Europe, North America and APAC, mergermarket generates proprietary intelligence and delivers it, together with daily aggregated content, both on its mergermarket.com platform and by real-time email alerts to over 400 institutional subscribers. mergermarket is all about deal-making intelligence. www.mergermarket.com


About Rödl & Partner:
Rödl & Partner, with 3,050 people in 85 own offices and 38 countries, is the leading independent professional service firm for German business with international operations. The success factors for Rödl & Partner are excellent interdisciplinary expertise in the fields of law, tax, business consulting and audit & accounting, the extensive experience over many years with cross-border activities, sustainable development of staff and intrinsic entrepreneurial drive. As one of the leading professional services firms in the field of renewables, Rödl & Partner has decades of experience in advising the full spectrum of interested parties – from utilities in Germany to project developers in India, engineering groups in Brazil and investment funds in USA. Our thorough and practical knowledge of the renewables market ensures that our clients get the best return from their opportunities and have the right answers to proceed – anytime and anywhere in the world. www.roedl.com


Munich/London, 8 June 2011


Publication and Reprint free of charge; please send a voucher copy to
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