Chinese clean energy investments falter

Deals dropped by 82% last year.

The number and value of equity investment deals in the Chinese clean energy sector plunged to a six-year low in 2012. Only eight deals were made and these received funds of US$510 million, down 82% and 49% year-on-year, respectively, said the China Venture Group.

China Venture Group is a research and consulting institute in China providing investment advisory services to China-focused investment banks and investment institutions.

Its report said that since the photovoltaic and wind power markets in China remained gloomy, venture capital and private equity investors did not seek deals in the sector last year.

Only five Chinese clean energy companies were listed globally in 2012, raising US$99.8 million in total funding, down 69% year-on-year.

Of those five companies, three were backed by venture capital and private equity firms, and only eight exits were made.