The dance of the utilities around alternative energy continues . . .

Energias de Portugal - a portuguese utility with substantial renewable assets, is considering floating those same assets an IPO which some analysts reckon could be worth 8.9 to 11 billion euros. It's funny how that kind of size doesn't even seem like such a big deal these days. A few years ago, when I started looking at alternative energy stocks, the largest at just about $1 billion market cap. was New Zealand's Trustpower. What's interesting here is that EDP are looking at floating only 20-25% of the unit. That tells us that they see this market as having a long way to go and they want to stay invested in it, if not raise that cash specifically for further renewable investments.

I think we're going to see a lot more action from the utilities in the renewable sector in the years to come and not only because they have the money. Utilities need to get their hands on renewable assets in order to meet rising targets for renewable energy, particularly in Europe, the United States Canada and Australia. So if you're a independent renewables firm, contemplating an IPO in testing market conditions, here's another idea; organise a private auction between cash rich national and regional utilities for the sale of your company. You might actually get more !