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Renewable Energy Finance Forum-Wall Street Maps Out Industry's Future

Posted on: Thursday, 19 June 2008, 15:00 CDT

The American Council On Renewable Energy (ACORE) and Euromoney Energy Events (EEE) are pleased to report on the success of this year's 5th annual Renewable Energy Finance Forum that was held on June 18-19th at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City.

Over 600 Senior executives from the renewable energy and financial community gathered at REFF-Wall Street to partake in the leading forum for analysis and discussion around the current and future state of the renewable energy markets. Attendees at REFF-Wall Street listened as top analysts forecasted the industry's potential, focusing on the sectors that are strategically positioned for significant growth ranging from solar power technology to wind power to bio-fuels. Speakers also drew attention to the wavering political issues threatening continued investments and the viability of renewable developments as Congress currently debates the extension of critical investment catalysts like the Investment Tax Credit and the Production Tax Credit.

"It is clear that the answer to our energy challenges will require many different stakeholders to work in concert together. REFF-Wall Street demonstrates how renewable energy companies, Wall Street leaders, venture capital investors, and government leaders continue to build momentum of this important and growing sector," said Nancy Floyd, Founder and Managing Director, Nth Power, LLC, ACORE Board Member, and co-chair of REFF-Wall Street.

In addition to profiling specific sectors, the conference also delved into broader market trends, shedding light on the latest developments in industry consolidation and the potential for carbon markets in the United States.

"Each year, we have increasingly seen financial leaders on Wall Street recognize renewable energy companies as an important growth sector for the US economy. This new reality has helped launch renewable energy investing into mainstream financial arenas and continues to drive the momentum of the industry," said Michael Eckhart, President of ACORE.

Key findings unveiled at the event include:

-- The US Department of Energy estimates that wind energy could produce 20 percent of our electricity by 2030, if annual wind capacity additions increase more than threefold and transmission capabilities are expanded.

-- According to New Energy Finance, investment levels from venture capital and private equity investments worldwide experienced a downturn for Q1 2008 ($2.5 billion investment worldwide) but has bounced back for Q2 2008 to ($4.7billion worldwide).

-- Despite a solid 2nd quarter, strong anecdotal evidence has shown that US business transactions are slowing due to uncertainty around the status of the Investment Tax Credit and the Production Tax Credit.

-- The US Government could do more to create a stable investment climate and put renewable energy on an even playing field with traditional energy sources such as coal, natural gas and nuclear energy which all enjoy stable long-term investment incentives. According to a report by GE Financial Services, since 1999 in each of the three years the PTC was allowed to lapse additions of wind power capacity were down 75%-90% the following year. Furthermore, the report found the PTC to be revenue positive showing that wind farms built in 2007 will contribute a net present value of $250 million to the US Treasury.

"REFF-Wall Street has shown us that the full forces of American innovation are ready to be deployed to meet our energy challenges. If our government leaders can provide a stable long term climate for investment the renewable energy sector will see unprecedented growth, providing extensive economic opportunities and environmental benefits." John Geesman, Co-Chair of the ACORE Board of Directors and former California Secretary of Energy. "We are quickly approaching a critical point in determining the future of our energy dependence and commitment to renewable energy. The panelists at this conference have made it clear that investment in renewable energy technology is ready to thrive if we can maintain a stable investment climate.

REFF-Wall Street is hosted by ACORE, a nonprofit organization headquartered in Washington, DC, dedicated to raising the profile of renewable energy, and Euromoney Energy Events, a London-based wholly owned subsidiary of Euromoney Institutional Investor PLC and organizer of conferences to address topical issues in the energy sector. For more information please visit www.reffwallstreet.com.

Source: Business Wire

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