WCA July 2014

Industry news

ANALYSTS at Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF) have observed a 10 per cent increase in clean energy investment in the first quarter of 2014. The increase is believed to be due to a sharp rise in household solar systems in the US and Japan. The falling cost of solar units is thought to have prompted a 42 per cent leap in Japanese and US households buying photovoltaic systems, representing investments of $21.2 billion. A total of $47.7 billion was invested in clean energy projects during the first quarter, compared with $43.6 billion in the first three months of 2013. The same period also saw the expansion of clean energy investments to emerging economies, with Indonesia and Kenya recording two of the top four asset finance deals. Michael Liebreich, BNEF chairman, said: “It is too early to say definitively that 2013 was the low point for clean energy investment worldwide and that 2014 will show a rebound, but the first-quarter numbers are encouraging.” Elsewhere in the world, China’s investment rose 18 per cent, and after a difficult 2013 Brazil’s investment increased by 211 per cent. The Middle East and Africa managed an 82 Investments see solar surge

per cent increase, but investment in Europe fell 30 per cent compared to first quarter 2013. Overall, the figures suggest a possible upturn for a market that has struggled since 2011. Investment in renewable energy technologies fell 11 per cent in 2013, after falling 10 per cent in 2012. Bloomberg New Energy Finance – USA Website : http://about.bnef.com ❍ Solar Energy Systems installed this solar PV rooftop system in New York City. Photograph courtesy of Aeon

13

www.read-wca.com

Wire & Cable ASIA – July/August 2014