Latest Analysis
Afsluitdijk PPP, The Netherlands
Transport EuropeThe Netherlands’ Afsluitdijk PPP project reveals the extent to which banks from beyond the surrounding region are shying away from Dutch infrastructure projects. Meanwhile, with the Dutch PPP pipeline drying out, construction companies and banks in the Netherlands are also feeling the pinch
Spain: for whom the expropriation tolls
Transport EuropeThe euphoria that welcomed the announcement of a €5 billion greenfield Spanish roads programme has waned in recent months as expropriation risks bring progress to a stumbling shuffle and the dreaded four-letter word – toll – is whispered eagerly in the corridors of power in a bid to hedge their costs
2018-2020 infra pipeline in Peru
Latin AmericaPeru’s Private Investment Promotion Agency is conducting roadshows around the world to attract new investment to the country’s substantial pipeline of infrastructure projects. Opportunities for investors and contractors are vast. The Latin American country hopes the international investor community is more sympathetic to its petitions than FIFA has been
Saudi Arabian renewables tenders
Renewables MENASaudi Arabia in early 2018 announced ambitious new plans to promote renewable energy as part of the kingdom’s long-term strategy to diversify its economy. The kingdom is planning to tender a total of 3.3GW of solar capacity and 800MW of wind capacity this year, Turki Al Shehri, head of the Renewable Energy Project Development Office confirmed to IJGlobal in January
Malaysia: to HSR or not to HSR
Transport Asia PacificMalaysia's new Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad’s pledge to review all foreign contracts and projects has those involved in the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High Speed Rail project resigned to yet another delay. But the market remains optimistic that the deal will be approved, and the wait will be rewarded with a more transparent tender process
Battery power – applying the electrodes
Renewables EuropePerched in the Regency splendour of Le Méridien Piccadilly for the 19th gathering of REFF Europe, surrounded by the great and good of the renewable energy community for a couple of days this week, nervousness started to set in over what to write for Friday’s editorial...
Scaling Solar in Africa
Renewables Sub-Saharan AfricaThree years on from the launch of the International Finance Corporation's Scaling Solar scheme in Zambia, the programme is gaining traction. Four other African countries are now running procurements – and Zambia is coming back for another helping. Between them, they account for over 1.2GW of capacity
Redrawing the infrastructure map of Europe
Transport EuropeWith business slowing down in some of the countries that have seen most of Europe’s infrastructure activity over recent years, a number of other markets seem to be picking up the baton. Among these are Spain and Ireland, and unlikely candidate Belgium
European floating offshore wind
Renewables EuropeA major milestone for renewable energy was reached in late 2017 with the world’s first floating offshore wind farm entering commercial operations in October. The 30MW Hywind Scotland pilot park is located offshore Peterhead in Aberdeenshire, and consists of five floating 6MW turbines
Full speed ahead?
Transport North AmericaIf high speed rail is going to get successfully financed anywhere in the US, the flat empty expanse of Texas seems as good as place as any. But despite its developer’s bullish attitude, the Texas Central project has significant hurdles to overcome
French offshore wind – and the first shall be last…
Renewables EuropeThe winner of France’s third round of offshore wind tenders will be confirmed later this year and – amusingly – the Dunkirk project stands a good chance of being operational before projects from either of the first two tenders are generating
Fund analysis: CIP III
Renewables EuropeCopenhagen Infrastructure Partners’ third fund reached final close on 23 March 2018, at its hard cap
Vietnam’s transport infrastructure
Transport Asia PacificIt may not be one of the largest economies in Asia, but Vietnam has made a strong commitment to infrastructure spending in recent years
European renewables on the infra fund radar
Renewables EuropeEarly January this year saw the European Parliament approve a new renewable energy target of 35% by 2030, topping the existing agreement between member states on a 27% target by the same year.
Oil majors – shuffling along the Road to Damascus
Oil & Gas Asia PacificIn a volte-face that’s enough to make a North Korean dictator blush, the oil majors are continuing to trip over their feet in a bid to reinvent themselves as good guys, having spent the last century-plus playing the black-hat cowboy
Arroyo Seco and Timbúes CHPs, Argentina
Project finance is finally taking off in Argentina’s energy sector after a years-long dry spell, with only a precious few projects making it to financial close in 2017. Now Argentina’s second-largest energy producer Albanesi Energia has closed the financing for two cogeneration heat and power plant projects in Santa Fe