NEW YORK — The amount of venture capital and private equity flowing to the worldwide alternative energy industry surged in the first quarter, according to a report released Monday by a London-based research group.

New Energy Finance Ltd. reported venture capital and private equity firms poured some $2.23 billion into alternative energy projects worldwide in the first quarter. The inflow was 58 percent above the first-quarter level last year and 60 percent above fourth-quarter investment levels.