Wind and solar powering renewables M&A activity says PricewaterhouseCoopers report

Strong M&A growth in wind and solar power sector is adding to renewable energy deal momentum, according to a new analysis of deal making in the industry published by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) today. According to Renewables Deals*, the first edition of an annual review by PwC, solar overtook hydro as the second largest renewables deal category after wind, accounting for 20% of total renewables deals.

The impact of the credit crisis was felt in terms of value of deals decreasing even though the number of deals held up. Some key findings of the report were:

  • A quarter of deals in the power sector are for renewable assets or technology.
  • Renewable energy now accounts for one tenth of M&A value in the wider power sector.
  • During 2007 and 2008, 441 renewables deals were announced with reported value totalling US$70.3bn.
  • Solar deals quadrupled in number and more than quadruped in total value in 2008 compared to the previous year. Average solar deal size also rose – from US$76.7 million in 2007 to US$89.3 million in 2008.

Around the world, governments are implementing measures to increase the share of renewables in the power generation mix. In Europe, the EU has set a target of 20% of final energy consumption to come from renewable sources by 2020. In the US, President Obama is keen to ‘harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel cars and run factories’.

Deal makers
The sale of a 25% stake in EDP Renováeis, the wind power arm of Portuguese power group EDP, to institutional investors headed the list of rewewables deals in 2008. The EDP float raised US$2.8bn. Scottish & Southern Energy (SSE) were involved in another big deal acquiring Airtricity Holdings in Ireland in a deal worth US$2.1bn, making SSE the largest owner of wind power assets in the UK. The two deals outside Europe in the top ten were both hydro power assets.

Deal places
The focus for renewables deals became increasingly concentrated on Europe during 2007 and 2008 with a value of US$17bn whereas deal value in the rest of the world fell year on year by 63%. North America’s share of worldwide renewables volume held broadly level with just under a quarter of worldwide deal value. Asia Pacific’s year on year deal activity increased from 53 to 64 in 2008. Deal numbers rose everywhere, with the exception of Russia, South America and Africa.

Launching the report, Bernard Byrne, Group Finance Director, ESB, said:

“The report confirms that renewable forms of energy are increasing their share in the overall power generation mix. In Ireland, we have seen very clearly the impact that volatile fossil fuel prices can have on electricity prices and as tough trading conditions continue, the long term provision of less volatile cost effective forms of energy becomes even more critical. With plans to deliver one-third of our electricity from renewable sources including wind generation, ESB is at the forefront of this evolution, leading the charge. We also have plans to exploit the potential of wave, tidal and biomass resources and to encourage innovation in the generation and energy efficiency space through our eco-innovation venture capital fund”.

Technology and manufacturing deals
Renewables Deals* reports a growing trend of deals for manufacturing and technology assets higher up the renewables value chain. Between a quarter and a third (29.5%) of all 2008 renewables deals were for such assets – much higher than their 11% share in 2007. In many cases, these are moves by companies who are seeking to secure an end to end supply chain footprint. The trend is also being driven by the increasing interest of industrial groups and investment funds seeking to step up their presence in the sector.

Paul Hennessy, Partner, PwC Ireland said:
“We have seen significant change in the Industry in Ireland as major players acquire operational and developmental assets. This has allowed some early stage promoters to exit as funding conditions tighten. While internationally, solar featured strongly for the first time, in the Irish market the investment emphasis has been in wave and tidal technologies.

The renewable energy sector is an increasingly important arena as companies and investors respond to the growing role of renewable sources in meeting global energy demands. With falling energy prices, there is no doubt that 2009 will be a tough year. It is therefore even more important to ensure that a framework exists at national level to promote viable renewable energy schemes.”

ENDS

Notes for editors:

Report methodology:
Renewables Deals includes analysis of all global renewable power sector deal activity. We define this as all deals relating to power generation by bio fuels, solar, wind, hydro, tidal/wave and geothermal sources. We include deals relating to manufacturers and developers of renewable technologies (for example, wind turbine manufacturers and solar technology firms), which we identify in a separate ‘technology’ category. We exclude deals relating to nuclear power assets, those centred on energy efficiency, and purchases of development rights.

The analysis is based on published transactions from the Dealogic ‘M&A Global’ database, December 2008 and the John S. Herold Inc. ‘M&A database’, December 2008. Both datasets have been used to ensure completeness. Where deals appear in both, the data is based on that recorded in the Herold database. For consistency purposes, identical search criteria are used for both datasets. Analysis encompasses announced deals, including those pending financial and legal closure and those which are completed. Deal values are the consideration value announced or reported including any assumption of debt and liabilities. Figures relate to actual stake purchased and are not multiplied up to 100%.

The location of the assets being acquired determines the analysis location. We define Asia as excluding the Russian Federation, Australia and New Zealand. All presented numbers of deals exclude all of those deals with no reported value. A full list of transactions throughout 2007 and 2008 is available by visiting the Renewables Deals website at www.pwc.com/energy

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