Against the background of the global financial crisis, the euro crisis and the consequent long-term changes to the financial market environment, alternative investments are becoming increasingly important in the asset allocation of institutional investors. Investors are focussing on investments in infrastructure assets in general, particularly energy infrastructure investments, as these provide largely stable and predictable returns and reduce the risk of the overall portfolio.

Strategic asset allocations (SAA) range between 3 and 10% of the total assets under management to the field of infrastructure, whereby energy infrastructure typically accounts for a large proportion. Renewable energy infrastructure is a special focus in the energy sector particularly, as renewable energy is the future of energy generation due to CO2 reduction targets and the rising cost of fossil fuels. The renewable energy infrastructure market is already large and continues to grow (approximately $ 270 billion investment volume in 2012, according to Bloomberg New Energy Finance).

This market therefore offers great long-term opportunities for investors, with decreasing importance of support mechanisms. The competitiveness of renewables is being continuously increased through economies of scale, technological advances and cost savings throughout the value chain.

Investing in renewable energy assets fulfil the demands of institutional investors to a large extent in terms of diversification and risk reduction of the overall portfolio, stability of the distributions, value stability, inflation protection and low volatility.