panorama

Be part of the re-ignition of Europe’s renewables industry at REFF-London

After a turbulent two years, the renewable energy industry is coming to life again, having survived a global financial crisis and unprecedented capital shortages. There is therefore be no better place to be next week than at the Renewable Energy Finance Forum in London, which has 12 years’ experience putting renewable energy developers together with investors to drive the industry forward.

After the global recession hit in 2008, renewable energy developers have enjoyed little in the way of capital backing. Now, however, investor appetites are growing and liquidity is returning to the markets. Thankfully, the outlook is positive, but the industry cannot afford to be complacent. Europe is still facing a looming debt crisis and with governments focused on reducing national deficits, it is more important than ever that you can guarantee support for your renewable energy projects from additional sources.

“Despite a more buoyant economic climate than last year, projects are still struggling to get off the ground without considerable government-mandated lending or grants. The equity market in particular is solemn and investors are still nervous,” explains Paul Clark, Conference Manager, Euromoney Energy Events.

“Legislative uncertainty remains in several regions, with many countries still facing looming national debt crises. REFF-London brings together investors and developers, to open a dialogue and understand each others’ needs and requirements so that they can move forward in an attempt to meet ambitious targets for renewable energy development and deployment at scale”, Clark adds.

Attracting over 400 participants annually, REFF-London offers no better place to ensure you are connected to the leading minds in the field and, as Europe’s leading event in renewable energy financing, has been bringing together investors and developers in renewable energy since 1999.

Europe leading the way

The new Renewable Energy Directive gives pan-European support to renewable energy and sets ambitious targets – 20% renewable energy by 2020 – for its constituents. Having mandated that all member states must have implemented the Directive by December 2010, this is a key moment for European Energy policy.

There is no questioning that Europe is a major player on the global renewable energy stage, having accounted for 44% of all deals in 2009, up from 38% in 2008. Make sure you are up-to-date with the latest happenings in this market by attending the 12th REFF-London.

Facing challenges head-on

Despite considerable policy support in Europe and a strong performance in 2009, there are still many challenges facing the European renewables industry. Utility companies, who have previously been strong proponents of the renewable energy movement with their impressive credit ratings and on-balance sheet financing mechanisms, are facing huge capital investment challenges in modernising existing infrastructure and implementing new technology, including smart grids.

With competition for financing in non-renewable energy projects fiercer than ever, it is essential that you have concrete financing strategies in place to ensure your projects do not lose ground. REFF-London is the ideal event to devise these strategies. It has been bringing together thought leaders since 1999, attracting over 400 senior players each year. In 2009, attendees came from over 250 companies and 31 countries to receive focused and practical advice from industry experts.

Over 50% of attendees at REFF-London are CEO, Director or Partner level, giving delegates the opportunity to network with the people who control budgets and set strategy. Indeed, this year’s event will be attended by Chris Huhne, Secretary of State for Energy & Climate Change, Department of Energy & Climate Change, while keynote speeches will be given by : Lord John Browne, Managing Director, Riverstone LLC; Hans van Steen, Head of Unit TREN D1, European Commission; Eddie O’Connor, Founder & CEO, Mainstream Renewable Power; Peter Gutman, Managing Director, Global Head of Renewable Energy, Standard Chartered Bank; and Craig Coburn, Chief Financial Officer, BP Alternative Energy.

Delegates will also receive a complimentary invitation to the Euromoney and Ernst & Young 2009 Leadership Awards dinner, which sees ETH Bioenergia, TransAlta, SunPower, Advanced Energy, Panasonic, GE, Santander, HSH Nordbank, Bank of Tokyo Mitsubishi, Element Power, Dragon Power, Renewable Energy Systems Ltd, Acciona, Iberdrola Renovables, Scottish & Southern Energy, First Solar, Norton Rose, Linklaters, Latham & Watkins, Watson Farley & Williams, Tesla, and Crown Estates battling it out for recognition for excellence and innovation in the renewable energy industry.

Meanwhile, individual sessions will look at a wide range of topics including: Energy Majors: Corporate Strategy & Corporate Finance, Converting Capital into Transactions, Digital Energy and Marine and Tidal Energy.

REFF-London delegates will hear from over 60 leading industry players, keeping them up-to-date with the latest happenings in this market,” says Clark. “At the moment, China, North America, and Western Europe are attracting the most renewables financing at present”, he concludes.

For additional information:

REFF London

____________________________________________________________________

***Follow Renewable Energy Magazine on Twitter***

Baterías con premio en la gran feria europea del almacenamiento de energía
El jurado de la feria ees (la gran feria europea de las baterías y los sistemas acumuladores de energía) ya ha seleccionado los productos y soluciones innovadoras que aspiran, como finalistas, al gran premio ees 2021. Independientemente de cuál o cuáles sean las candidaturas ganadoras, la sola inclusión en este exquisito grupo VIP constituye todo un éxito para las empresas. A continuación, los diez finalistas 2021 de los ees Award (ees es una de las cuatro ferias que integran el gran evento anual europeo del sector de la energía, The smarter E).