LONDON, February 16, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- In 2009, the World Bank increased its lending for large hydropower projects, at a time when investment fell in many other sectors. This was a result of a pan-European commitment to generate more electricity from renewable energy sources and to better exploit mature hydropower technology. In addition to creating new growth opportunities, this has had the effect of generating a thriving market for refurbishment projects that improve efficiency and reduce environmental impact. Consequently, the refurbishment and servicing market now offers manifold growth opportunities for original equipment manufacturers, services companies, and hydropower producers.

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The Energy Power Systems Group at Frost Sullivan is pleased to announce that it will be hosting an online analyst briefing presentation on Wednesday, 24 February, 2010 at 3:00 pm GMT to examine these opportunities in detail.

Highlights of the briefing include an overview of the large hydropower market in Europe and its potential, an analysis of the hydropower refurbishment and services market, and a review of the numerous growth opportunities in the large hydropower market.

By discussing the hydropower market, analysing the value of refurbishment, operation and maintenance services, and by providing market development forecasts, this briefing will benefit hydropower producers, original equipment manufacturers, servicing companies and investors.

The European Hydropower market has traditionally been viewed as a mature market with few opportunities and five years ago, maybe that perception was not so far off. However new opportunities for both new projects and refurbishment work are quickly undermining this perception. Despite a short-term decline in electricity demand, the longer-term trend is upward as hydropower provides a cost-effective, carbon-free, electricity source, notes Frost Sullivan's Energy Power Systems Consultant Jonathan Robinson.

The key hydropower markets are also markets where economic and electricity growth is forecast to be strongest in the next decade: Albania, Croatia and Turkey. These markets offer exciting prospects, both for established players and for smaller participants, adds Zeinegul Hassan, Research Analyst from Frost Sullivan's Energy Power Systems Group.

To participate in this briefing, please email Chiara Carella at chiara.carella@frost.com with: your full name, company name, title, telephone number, e-mail, address, city, state and country and a registration link will be e-mailed to you. You may also register to receive a recorded version of the briefing at anytime by submitting the aforementioned contact details.

About Frost Sullivan

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Contact: Chiara Carella Corporate Communications - Europe P: +44-(0)-20-7343-8314 M: +44-(0)-753-3017689 E: chiara.carella@frost.com

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SOURCE: Frost SOURCE: Sullivan

CONTACT: Chiara Carella, Corporate Communications - Europe of Frost Sullivan, +44-(0)-20-7343-8314, Mobile, +44-(0)-753-3017689,chiara.carella@frost.com