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LONDON, England, March 8, 2006 (Refocus
Weekly)
Spain and the United States remain the most
attractive countries in the world for renewable energies, “as both
continue to offer strong growth and attract the bulk of capital
investment,” according to the latest analysis from Ernst & Young.
Spain scored 69 on the long-term ‘all renewables’ index, due to
its 69 for the wind index, 69 for solar, 61 for the biomass index,
and 79 on the renewables infrastructure index. Overall, the U.S.
scored 68, consisting of 68 in wind, 75 solar, 60 biomass and 70
infrastructure.
The United Kingdom, which had scored highly in past analyses on the
basis of its development pipeline, dropped from third to fourth spot
in the overall rank as industry concern grows over grid and planning
issues which continue to hold back development momentum. Germany
moved into third, despite expectations that the onshore market was
reaching saturation, by sustaining momentum with new sites and
finding investment sources.
Germany scored 63 overall, with 63 for wind, 69 for solar, 55 for
biomass and 54 for infrastructure. Britain scored 61 overall,
consisting of 62 for wind, 44 for solar, 57 for biomass and 61 for
infrastructure.
Rankings for the balance of the top 20 countries went to India (58
overall), Italy (57), France (56), Portugal (56), Netherlands (55),
China (55), Canada (55), Ireland (54), Sweden (51), Greece (51),
Australia (50), Denmark (49), Norway (49), Belgium (48), Finland
(37) and Austria (31 overall).
The near-term wind index is based on a two-year view with emphasis
on market growth, and a wind power development boom in India pushed
Britain out of the top four. The U.S. and Spain maintain a clear
lead on that index, while Germany consolidated its position in third
spot.
“The draining effect of the U.S. development boom continues to
impact development elsewhere,” and smaller projects and markets may
struggle to secure turbines while large developers make bulk advance
orders, the report notes. “As the technology specific construction
and operating risks become better understood, investors are
increasingly likely to appraise wind opportunities on a global
basis.”
The world’s largest solar PV plant will begin construction in
Portugal this year, and the 62 MW grid-connected facility will cost
Euro 250 million. Combined with the doubling of wind capacity in
that country last year, growth is expected to continue there.
The Ernst & Young Country Attractiveness Indices provide scores for
national renewable energy markets, infrastructures and the
suitability for individual technologies. The indices provide scores
out of 100 and are updated on a regular basis, and the overall index
combines individual technology indices with a weighting of 85% for
onshore and offshore wind, 5% for solar and 10% for biomass and
other renewable energies.
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