LONDON/FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Small wind energy companies could be taken over cheap because fresh funding for the sector is set to flow selectively to bigger names, placing them in a stronger negotiating position.

Analysts say the big firms are unwilling to pay premiums for the "pipeline" projects at the smaller players -- wind farms approved or awaiting construction -- which are normally added to current operating assets to arrive at a valuation.

Along with the solar sector, wind companies have suffered from a financial bottleneck over the past 18 months, hampering efforts to build cash-intensive wind farms, while customers have also delayed projects until next year due to funding problems.

But recent activity in the sector, such as the takeover bid for Britain's Novera Energy from private equity-backed Infinis and Centrica's sale of a stake in three wind parks to U.S.-based TCW shows that interest has returned.