11/11/2006
Venture capital moving into alternative energy
Technology News:
Around the world, the persistence of much higher fossil fuel prices, heightened power demands -- particularly in the fast-developing economies of China and India -- national employment trends, security concerns, and growing evidence of sharp climate changes are contributing to what amounts to a clean technology boom.
"The level of investment is accelerating, and I do not see any reason why it will moderate. You can debate around oil pricing and how much that is driving [investment], but there are other factors here at play -- energy security and independence, environmental concerns, focus on sustainability, etc.," Jeff Lipton, managing director of investment banking at Jefferies & Co., told TechNewsWorld.
"Investor interest remains very strong, though people continue to work to understand the drivers and dynamics [and] interplay between various subsectors and where the investment opportunities will be," explained Lipton.
"Interest is broad-based -- that is, not just solar or biodiesel. People are looking at fuel cells, wind, batteries, energy infrastructure. People see an enormous market with multiple interesting and viable subsectors," he said
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