News
Latest MEA Analysis
-
Unbundling Saudi’s power market
Renewables MENAA consequence of Saudi Arabia’s intended economic pivot away from its reliance on oil will be a liberalisation of the country's power market through the unbundling and spinning out a number of entities in the generation and transmission sectors
-
Fadhili Combined Heat and Power, Saudi Arabia
Power MENAFrench developer Engie reached financial close on the $1.2 billion Fadhili combined heat and power (CHP) project in Saudi Arabia on 26 January 2017. The project has a unique structure in place that sees Saudi Aramco and Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) both offtaking production under separate contracts
-
MENA PPP closes reach new heights
Oil & Gas MENAA record total value of PPPs reached financial close in Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region during 2016. With a number of large scale projects in the pipeline, 2017 could surpass this total
-
Can MENA solar prices continue downward momentum?
Renewables MENASolar development is continuing apace in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) with Saudi Arabia announcing plans for up to $50 billion of renewables projects by 2030. With bid pricing per kWh dropping substantially in recent years, can price reductions continue at this speed?
-
Data Analysis: Power deals spike amid MENA market decline
Oil & Gas MENAWhile 2016 saw a resurgence in the total value of power deals closed in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, the wider infrastructure market endured a steep decline in activity during the year
-
Saudi in the race for renewables
Renewables MENAThere is a drive for energy independence in Saudi Arabia, and a need to diversify away from crude oil. The question is can the world's largest oil producer catch up with its Middle Eastern neighbours
-
Oil rebound sparks investment hopes
Oil & Gas MENAThe price of Brent crude oil rose to its highest level in a year earlier this week, raising hopes that investment levels in the beleaguered oil and gas sector could soon begin to rise
-
Take two for Egypt’s solar FIT
Renewables MENAEgypt’s round one 2GW solar feed in tariff (FIT) programme is in its final stretch before the financial close deadline. Terms of round two are being circulated, with sponsors and lenders apparently still keen to be involved
-
Dubai’s determined renewables drive
Renewables MENAThe Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) recently unveiled a five-part strategy aiming to cut carbon emissions 16% by 2020, adding to its existing target of a 75% share of renewable energy by 2050. The utility’s procurement programme has proven capable so far – and it may beat its previously set targets for 2020
-
Egypt PPPs grounded
Transport MENAA lack of dollar-funding and government attempts to cut project costs have meant 2016 has been quiet for financial closes on public private partnerships (PPP) in Egypt. The country’s plans to procure a number of new projects under its PPP scheme, which IJGlobal revealed in October 2015, have had mixed results
-
Data Analysis: Omani water demand spurs developer opportunities
Water MENAOman’s government is anticipating ever-growing demand for potable water in the region and seems well placed to deliver it. A series of successful financial closes on independent water producers (IWP) in recent years combined with a strong pipeline of tender opportunities bode well for developers and investors
-
Data analysis: North America beats Europe as fundraising focus
Oil & Gas MENAFundraising activities have been geared towards global opportunities in the past eighteen months, with North America beating Europe for funds with a regional focus
-
Sohar and Barka IWPs, Oman
Water MENADevelopers of the Sohar and Barka independent water projects (IWP) in Oman agreed financing with groups of local and international banks, respectively, in recent months. Despite the projects’ similarities their financings show the divergent routes sponsors took
-
EXCLUSIVE DFIs keen for Egyptian solar despite uncertainty
Renewables MENAUncertainty over Egypt’s 2,000MW solar feed-in tariff (FIT) scheme means a number of projects are unlikely to happen but financiers still appear keen to take part in a planned follow-up to the first round
-
Data Analysis: Solar and wind opportunities surge in MENA
Renewables MENAThe value of active pipeline and procurement wind and solar energy deals in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region reached a new peak of $7.8 billion in 2016 and is trending upwards, according to IJGlobal data
-
Dubai attracts lowest solar tariff, again
Renewables MENAA bid of less than $0.03 per kWh for the up-to 800MW Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum solar project in Dubai could see the Emirate producing the world’s cheapest solar electricity. Only 18 months after Dubai achieved the previous record, the GCC state is yet again setting a benchmark for global renewables
-
Data Analysis: Conventional power remains resilient in MENA
Power MENAThe value of active power deals in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region has broadly held steady despite fears that pipeline opportunities would dry up this year
-
Facility D IWPP, Qatar
Power MENAA Mitsubishi-led consortium wrapped up financing of the 2,400MW facility D independent water and power producer (IWPP) earlier this week, arranging some $3 billion in financing with nine international and local banks
-
The art of arranging
MENACommercial banks are often judged by the total value of debt provided to clients over a specific period. During a time of restricted balance sheets and increased regulation however, it may be worth considering other ways to measure performance