The worldwide energy demand is poised to increase 50 per cent by 2030, said a Credit Suisse research forecast, underscoring the importance of alternative energy.

The share of alternative energies in the worldwide energy supply is expected to grow significantly within forthcoming decades, said an official of Credit Suisse, which is a key sponsor for the upcoming World Future Energy Summit (WFES).

Credit Suisse, which is sponsoring the summit for the second consecutive year, has long been a leader in environmental management within the banking sector.

It is also a pioneer in the development of structured products, financing facilities and innovative client services with a focus on environmental and climate change themes.

With over 15,000 attendees expected to attend this year, WFES will be the largest meeting of influential figures within the renewable energy industry.

“Alternative Energy is a long-term theme. Driven by rising energy costs and regulatory mandates in many countries, it is rapidly gaining share in the global energy supply,” said Miroslav Durana, head alternative energy research for Credit Suisse.

"However, as these young industries quickly increase their capacity, component supply shortages and execution problems are likely. As a result, many alternative energy companies show high earnings growth but also relatively high earnings risk," Durana opined.

"Therefore, Credit Suisse recommends a diversified investment in selected stocks across all alternative energy themes or in an alternative energy index," he added.

“It is an exciting time for alternative energy with market dislocation likely and heavy competition for investment” said Jeffrey Culpepper, vice-chairman of the Investment Banking Department in the EMEA region and head of the Investment Banking Department for Credit Suisse in the Mena region.

"This increase will be primarily driven by the political risk of relying on declining oil reserves and concerns about global warming, which has inspired many countries to enact renewable energy standards.

As a result of increasing demand, various industries within the alternative energy sector are currently experiencing rapid double digit growth, most noticeably the dynamic wind and solar industries.

Whilst these energies today make up a small portion of the total renewable energy market (7.3 per cent) some industry exponents expect wind and solar to contribute more than 25 per cent to renewable energy by 2030.

As principal sponsor, Bassam Yammine, Co-CEO of Credit Suisse Middle East and head of Investment Banking and Asset Management for CS, said: “We are delighted to partner with the WFES and be strategically positioned when the renewable business gathers in early 2009.”

“This unique event is very important for the Middle East and its future growth. Credit Suisse’s partnership with the Summit underscores the Bank's strong commitment both to the region and to the advancement of sustainable energy overall,” Yammine added.

In 2005, Credit Suisse formed the first dedicated renewable energy team on Wall Street.

Today, the Renewable Energy Group leads the renewables category in terms of the overall volume of deals, e.g. it managed the IPOs of the top three US-listed solar energy companies and the largest IPO in the wind energy sector as well as the most significant wind M&A deals in 2007 and 2008.

It reinforced its strong position with 59 transactions in 2007-2008, with an aggregate deal volume in excess of $20 billion

Further driving innovation in this area, the bank established the Credit Suisse Global Alternative Energy Index in 2007, which closely monitors developments in the alternative energy universe.

In the same year, it launched the Credit Suisse Global Warming Index, offering investors the opportunity to invest in renewable energy and carbon controlling stocks, se