These factors include resource-based and geographic conditions, the relative maturity of the sector, capital cost and size of the investment projects, lack of institutional track record and the role of government policies. For example, the countries with the best wind conditions in Europe are France, UK, and Ireland (with Denmark and Germany being the largest wind power producers). Austria, Finland, Sweden, and Italy are among those with good conditions concerning hydro energy generation (Reiche and Bechberger 2004).