Latest Analysis
Local bank decline in MENA
Oil & Gas MENAWhile local lenders become less active in MENA energy and infrastructure transactions, international banks are taking a larger slice of a diminishing pie
Energy storage – country cousin no more
Renewables EuropeOver the years we’ve seen more niche sectors than you care to recall creep out of left- into centre-field for infrastructure. These are mostly whacky wheezes dreamt up by funds desperate to shift money out the door, often taking a punt on unproven technology. Some of the best examples for this lie in biomass, ethanol and tidal – projects doomed to be dashed against rocky shores of reality
HS1 acquisition, UK
Transport EuropeA pool of fund managers formerly focused on PFI/PPP have become eager to buy, and hard to beat, when it comes to core, regulated infrastructure assets in Europe
Luton Airport, UK
Transport EuropeLuton Airport has always struggled to sell its London credentials, sitting as it does 13 miles north of the capital's orbital motorway. This refi of the concession re-fit and extend the existing facility in conjunction with plans to improve connectivity
Mind the gap
Transport EuropeWhile the UK government has talked a lot about bridging the north-south divide, the regions still lag far behind London in terms of investment in transport infrastructure
Infra debt funds – brown trouser time
Renewables EuropeThere’s an old tale that Admiral Nelson was once asked by a flunky why he wore a red tunic into battle. He coolly replied that, were he to be shot, the blood would not show and the morale of his fighting men would not flag. To this, the attendant replied: “And that’s why I wear brown trousers.”
China vs Japan outbound
Asia PacificThe two Asian giants are both keen outbound investors. IJGlobal data reveals the Japanese have an edge over their Chinese rivals when it comes to deal volumes, but the gap is narrowing
Scotland – land of my fathers… and NPD
Social & Defence EuropeThis week we looked on in admiration as Queensferry Crossing – the £1.35 billion bridge linking Edinburgh to the wastelands of Fife – opened to traffic so the Scottish Government can say it went live in August… only for it to close again once the snarl-up had cleared
Interview: Mytrah Energy’s Bob Smith
Renewables Asia PacificIndia’s ambitious renewables goals makes the country’s electricity market the “most exciting in the world,” Mytrah Energy executive vice-president Bob Smith tells IJGlobal.
Mini-perm treatment for GCC tenors in need of a trim
Renewables MENAMini-perm financings are increasingly in vogue across the GCC, driven by ultra-competitive pricing on renewable energy projects and bank liquidity requirements
Corruption and infrastructure
Transport Asia PacificCan we draw any parallels between the perceived corruption levels in a country and its ability to procure infrastructure projects?
Silvertown – make-or-break for UK PPP
Transport EuropeThe UK government dubs Silvertown Tunnel a “nationally-significant infrastructure project”… and not without good reason. It’s the only one out there
Flying off the shelves
Transport Latin AmericaA large number of international operators are hotly anticipating upcoming privatisations of airports in Brazil. And there are many reasons why investors should be salivating at the prospects
Hickory Run power plant – US
Power North AmericaIn a first for the US power sector, Asian investors have sidestepped brokers and gone directly to lead arrangers
New players on the North American fundraising field
North AmericaThe North American fundraising market has been making the headlines over the past 18 months thanks to its mega-funds, but a renewed hope in the region’s future project pipeline has seen a number of ‘new’ market entrants looking to tap investors’ growing infrastructure bucket
EIB – full retreat from the UK?
Social & Defence EuropeRarely does one see anything on LinkedIn that prompts a belly laugh, but today a cheeky bit of clickbait posted by a frequent and controversial market commentator on the future involvement of the EIB in UK projects prompted a click-through – and left this hack cackling