European power companies breeze into the U.S. wind business

摘要

The European Union has taken the lead on many climate change issues - from ratifying the Kyoto Protocol to passing laws to require and encourage the development of renewable energy. Why, then, are so many European energy companies looking to invest in the United States? For Antonio Mexia, the chief executive of Energias de Portugal, the answer is simple. "The United States is the fastest-growing market in the world for wind power," he said. "If we want to be a leader, we have to be there." In July, Energias paid nearly $3 billion to buy Horizon Wind Energy from Goldman Sachs.