Nuclear disaster prompts rise in renewable deals

The value of deals involving renewable energy companies soared by 40 per cent to a record $53.5bn (£34bn) worldwide last year, as the Fukishima disaster prompted a move away from nuclear power.

The rise was driven by the solar power industry, where the value of transactions jumped by 56 per cent to $15.8bn, to account for almost one third of takeovers, according to the accountancy firm PricewaterhouseCoopers. Wind and hydropower were also big deal drivers.

The jump in deal value was also influenced by consolidation among solar panel manufacturers in the West as they struggled to compete with low-cost Chinese producers.

The total value of renewable energy deals in Europe last year jumped by 80 per cent to $30bn – despite a 6 per cent decline in transaction volume – as billion-dollar acquisitions became increasingly common.

Independent Comment
blog comments powered by Disqus

Day In a Page

How six would-be record-breakers ended up in seriously deep water

In deep water

Container ship saves crew cast adrift on life rafts after their Atlantic crossing turns into a scramble for survival
Police watchdog admitted system was ineffective

Police watchdog admitted system was ineffective

Revelation comes after Independent investigation into deaths in police custody
Stalemate at UN on resolution urging Assad to go

Stalemate at UN on resolution urging Assad to go

A defiant Russia resists intense pressure from the West and several Arab countries
Syria is used to the slings and arrows of friends and enemies

Syria is used to the slings and arrows of friends and enemies

Bashar al-Assad is clinging to power despite the slow growth of a civil war
QPR big spenders as Zamora and Cissé join

QPR big spenders as Zamora and Cissé join

...while Harry Redknapp is up to his old tricks again with day of movement at Tottenham
James Lawton: Time has come for the game to tear down its last taboo

James Lawton: Football's last taboo

A new documentary about the tragic death of Justin Fashanu is a powerful reminder of a prejudice that still shames British football
Graham Rowntree: 'Scotland will be licking their lips'

Graham Rowntree interview

The England coach says home side will be favourites on Saturday due to red rose side's 'unspeakable past'
Bed and breakfast – and yoga and cookery

Bed and breakfast – and yoga and cookery

The British B&B has undergone a transformation
Lakshadweep: All quiet on India's secret islands

All quiet on India's secret islands

Part of the same marine mountain range as the Maldives, the Lakshadweep archipelago offers idyllic scenery minus crowds
Around the world in 1,000 destinations

Around the world in 1,000 destinations

Plus the three locations that are the cream of the globe-trotting crop
The 10 Best travel DVDs

The 10 Best travel DVDs

From Mexico and motorcycles to the Mosquito Coast
Adventures with a lost Nick Drake recording

Lost Nick Drake record

And the lucky 167 people who heard it
Independent blogger rescued after boat overturns in Atlantic

Independent blogger capsizes

See the progress of the Sara G in pictures
Should we let children run wild?

Should we let children run wild?

Experiences and expectations of an ideal childhood
Get fit the Djokovic way (it is as hard as it sounds)

Get fit the Djokovic way (it is as hard as it sounds)

The unlikely secrets of the Serb's extraordinary stamina that helped him to victory in an epic Australian Open final