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On Day 3 of its upcoming Clean Currents Conference + Tradeshow, the National Hydropower Association (NHA) will place the spotlight on the topic of Investing in Waterpower.
Opportunities abound for the waterpower industry as we look to a carbon-free future. The technology stands as a significant force multiplier in the quest to fully integrate renewables into a clean energy grid in a reliable and resilient manner.
Yet, to fully realize its potential, waterpower needs an infusion of investment.
Historically, hydro is under-represented in the portfolios of institutional investors. Why is that? What can be done about it? What are innovative ways being explored to provide financing to the sector?
To help answer those questions, NHA is bringing together financial experts who have experience in making investments in waterpower.
One of those financial experts is Sarah Wright, founder and managing partner of Hull Street Energy, a middle-market private equity firm investing in the U.S. energy transition.
Wright will be joined by Lex Wolf, partner at Climate Adaptive Infrastructure Fund (CAI), a private equity firm investing in large-scale, low-carbon infrastructure. In the hydro sector, CAI has partnered with Rye Development to finance and build a portfolio of 22 FERC-licensed non-powered dam projects. Gia Schneider, Co-Founder and CEO of Natel Energy, will lead the discussion.
About Sarah Wright
Wright has over 30 years of senior management experience in private equity, investment banking, and energy companies. She joined Goldman Sachs in 1998 and helped to launch Goldman Sachs Power, the firm’s initial entry into electricity commodity markets, including the successful development of Constellation Power Source, a joint venture with Constellation Energy Group.
In 2001, she became part of the senior management team at Constellation, where she held various roles within its commodity trading, investing and risk management unit, leading the development and execution of a wide range of investments.
In 2005, Wright became a co-founding Partner at Energy Capital Partners, where she served as a lead director of FirstLight Power Holdings, the acquirer of fourteen power plants including over 1300 MW of hydroelectric and pumped storage generating capacity.
In 2014, Wright went on to establish Hull Street Energy, which is differentiated by its mission-focus, deep industry expertise and proprietary analytical approach to investing in the energy transition. Through its affiliate Central Rivers Power, Hull Street Energy currently owns and operates 45 hydroelectric stations which provide over 340 MW of clean energy to customers across the United States.
Wright received a B.A. from Smith College, an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School, and was recently named to Forbes 2021 50 over 50: Investment list.
