Latest Analysis
French transport – foot off the pedal
Transport EuropeAs the European infrastructure market – road and rail – wallows in the doldrums, it seems to be the same things keeping everyone busy, and that’s refinance opportunities. However, when it comes to greenfield, few markets are stagnating as much as France
Gulf tensions chill Lebanon’s development
Oil & Gas MENADFI-backed projects in Lebanon appear to be on ice after Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri resigned earlier this month. The latest instability is likely to further hinder project financings in the country
Goldmans – making PF bankers grind their teeth
Renewables EuropeTalking to sources in the market this week, it was fascinating to hear that Goldman Sachs booked the biggest single profit event for the previous two years on HS1 – the high-speed rail line from London to the English end of the Channel Tunnel
Global equity funds dominate 2017 fundraising
Oil & Gas EuropeAmong unlisted, closed-ended infrastructure funds reaching final close in 2017, strategies geared towards global equity investments have taken up a vast chunk of the total capital raised
Infra banks – a crutch Canada does not need
Transport North AmericaWhat a week it’s been for Canadian infrastructure. Ontario retains its title as the world’s most attractive infra market while the government steps in with a move it hopes will “crowd in” – rather than “crowd out” – project lending to drive future nationwide investments
Bursa hospital exposes lender limits in Turkey
Social & Defence EuropeTurkish hospital deals are becoming increasingly dependent on DFI and Asian bank debt, as local and European lenders seem less than keen on extending their exposure to the market
Fort McMurray West transmission, Canada
Power North AmericaIn December 2014, Alberta Electric System Operator awarded the Fort McMurray West transmission line project to Alberta PowerLine, a consortium of Atco-controlled Canadian Utilities (80%) and electrical engineering contractor Quanta Services (20%)
US LNG glut
Oil & Gas North AmericaInvesting in US LNG export projects looks increasingly risky, as a flooded market forces sponsors to accept more flexible and shorter-term sales contracts. This is quite a change of direction for a market more or less still in its infancy.
Making bubbles while the sun shines
Renewables Asia PacificIt always pays to keep a weather eye out for the next financial bubble, after all, we’ve seen enough of them in recent times to warrant wariness. Right now there’s a splendid one brewing in the international renewable energy space that should have you all bracing for impact
Egypt closes solar FIT 2 at half the price
Renewables MENAEgypt can finally celebrate substantial success in its attempts to procure 2,000MW of solar capacity under its FIT scheme, with the second round seeing 30 projects reach financial close last week
Australia’s National Energy Guarantee
Renewables Asia PacificEarlier this month the Australian government proposed an energy policy change, the so-called National Energy Guarantee, which peaked interest around the globe
Abertis – high prices, deep pockets
Transport Asia PacificIt’s the biggest infrastructure deal in the market, the one everyone’s talking about – two giants of the European infra community slugging it out to acquire Spanish toll road operator Abertis… but it’s a deal that has more than a few wondering what the hell’s going on
Fund analysis: AMP Capital IDF III
Renewables EuropeAMP Capital signed off on the final close for its third infrastructure debt fund at the $2.5 billion hard cap on 10 August, having started fundraising in Q1 2016
The great American infra debt squeeze
Renewables North AmericaIn the land of the blind, the one-eyed man may indeed be king… but in the land of the free, it’s balance sheet that a monarch doth make. With limited greenfield activity, the US is gainfully employed doing what so many markets have been doing for a good long while – not an awful lot, and turning a buck where they can
The Russia bear awakens
Oil & Gas EuropeWith the Russian economy on the mend, investment commitments have been pouring into the country this year from the Middle East and Asia, particularly in the energy sector
Growth in Brazilian wind
Renewables Latin AmericaWind power still makes up a slim slice of the total power generated in Brazil, despite excellent resource in the country and decent investment levels in recent years. But interest in an upcoming power generation auction is high, and potential for international investment significant