Investors Keen to Be Part of India’s Green Growth

NEW DELHI — India has made it into the A-list of global investors in renewable energy, a recognition of the country’s proactive government energy program, natural resources and mushrooming swathe of entrepreneurs.

India ranked as the third favored destination with 35% of the respondents saying they would invest in India, behind the U.S., which was targeted by 53% of the respondents, and China (38%), according to a report, called Green Power 2011: The KPMG Reneweable Energy M&A Report,” released Wednesday by KPMG that is based on a survey of 500 executives active in the renewable energy arena globally.

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Adeel Halim/Bloomberg NewsDismantled windmills lie on the ground at a wind farm in Kammalapatti in India, April 11.

For instance, India’s wind-energy companies, which are in the midst of a hectic pace of development, have attracted more than $586 million of project financing this quarter. This already is 63% of the $934 million raised in all of 2010.

“The Indian market has become increasingly dynamic in recent years as a result of strong natural resources, greater accommodation to international investment compared with China and a variety of government incentives,” the report said.

While Indian banks continue to be the main source of funding, international lenders are taking note. HSBC and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. provided $110 million debt project financing in March for a wind farm in the western state of Gujarat.

The pace of growth and investments in India is part of a worldwide trend. Deal activity among renewable energy companies globally surged 70% in 2010, and continues to maintain this hectic clip in the first quarter, according to the report.

In the first quarter, 141 transactions worth $11.2 billion were signed, while last year, an average of 96 deals worth $5.5 billion were announced in each quarter.

“All in all, 2011 looks set to be another buoyant year,” the report said, but added a caveat that the first quarter data doesn’t reflect the impact of the tsunami in Japan in March.

The survey data also revealed that investors preferred to invest locally rather than across borders. But nearly 60% of Asia-Pacific acquirers said they are targeting India or China. India also features as one of the top three destinations for solar energy companies along with the U.S. and Italy.

“With India it is a combination of factors,” said Siobhan Smyth, head of renewables at HSBC, who was interviewed as part of the survey.

“There is a portfolio standard on a state-by-state basis. Developers have the ability to get [public-private agreementss due to utility obligations. Then there are the generation-based incentive and tax-depreciation incentives. You are looking at 15% to 20% returns depending on the state you look at and the type of assets you are buying.”

Dow Corning announces Global Wedge as solar solutions distributor in India

Dow Corning Corp., which is into silicones, silicon-based technology and innovation, has named Global Wedge as a distributor of silicon-based solutions for the manufacturing of solar photovoltaic modules in India.

Global Wedge, a distributor of  photovoltaic (PV) raw materials, solar modules and  panels, and a developer of solar power projects since 2001, will supply high-quality silicone solutions to Dow Corning’s customers in India. Located in Hyderabad, India, Global Wedge has an excellent reputation as a PV materials supplier and an extensive customer base in India.

“India continues to grow as an economic powerhouse, and the solar industry with it. We are excited about the prospect of providing solutions to the Indian solar power industry to support its expansion,” said Allison Ashbrook, global distribution manager, Dow Corning Solar Business. “We look forward to working with Global Wedge in India and with our broad network of regional distributors throughout the Asia-Pacific region to provide silicone solutions that will help solar energy become a viable energy option.”

“We are excited to be associated with Dow Corning as their distributor for India,” said Rao Marella, president, Global Wedge. “Dow Corning’s specialty is in the development and application of silicon-based products.   They are global leaders in the industry and our customers will derive the benefit of using superior products with the highest levels of quality and reliability. Most of our customers export their modules to Europe and America. To make modules to international standards, Dow Corning’s silicones continue to be their number one choice. We thank our customers for their confidence in us, and we are pleased to be a part of the success of the solar business in India.”

Dow Corning’s expansion of its global distribution network follows several recent investment announcements including:

* Completion of a new Solar Solutions Application Center in JinCheon, Korea, Dow Corning’s second;
* Plans to build another solar center in Shanghai, China, announced in February; and
* Plans for a $13 million Solar Energy Exploration & Development Center (SEED) in Seneffe, Belgium.

One of the only companies in the world able to provide silicon-based solutions throughout the entire photovoltaic value chain, Dow Corning is investing to expand its portfolio of total solution packages for solar cell manufacturing, module assembly and installation. Solution packages are built on high-performance silicone products such as encapsulants, adhesives, coatings, potting agents and sealants, as well as next-generation solar grade silicon. www.dowcorning.com