The growth of the wave and tidal renewable energy sector inScotlandwould be significantly boosted by the creation of industry clusters, says leading independent Scottish law firm Tods Murray. But while these clusters are strongly supported by Government, Richard Leslie of the firm’s ‘Green Team’ says that unless improvements are made to connections to the national…
We would like to take this opportunity to introduce our new member of staff, Ms Amy Francis, who will be taking on the role of IPFA Events Manager in London and will be working alongside the IPFA team on agendas for our global sessions as we expand to look at new and emerging markets. We…
SGS is pleased to report that its participation at the Energy & Infrastructure Finance Forum in Santiago, Chile on June 15, 2011 proved a huge success. Throughout the entire event SGS experts held informative presentations on Concessions and Risk Management in Megaprojects as well as forging a wide range of excellent business contacts. SGS, the world’s…
AECOM, Nossaman and KPMG will prepare a report on potential transportation public-private partnerships, including a freeway extension project that is facing a $2bn shortfall. Washington State has been estimated to have statewide infrastructure investment needs of up to $200bn over the next 20 years. The Washington State Joint Transportation Committee has selected engineering firm…
International law firm Eversheds, in association with joint advisors SNR Denton, has advised The Addax and Oryx Group on the signing of the recent EUR 133 million project finance loan facilities by Addax Bioenergy (SL) Limited with seven European and African development institutions for an integrated renewable energy and agriculture project near Makeni, in Sierra…
Al-Jadaan advised the minority shareholders of Al-Ittefaq Steel Products Company as signatories to the restructuring of the indebtedness of SAR7.5bn (US$2bn) with a bank group of 18 banks. The transaction has been described the first major corporate debt restructuring in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the largest non-sovereign debt restructuring in the region….
China remains clear leader after year of record investment The toxic legacy of the global financial crisis continues to cast a shadow over the global renewable energy market, according to Ernst & Young’s latest global Renewable Energy Country Attractiveness Indices. Although new investment in clean energy reached unprecedented levels in 2010, climbing 30% to US$243b…
Equitix is delighted to announce that more than £100 million has now been invested in Equitix Fund II, following an initial close of £70 million at the beginning of the year. Fund II has already invested in six PFI contracts in healthcare, street lighting and integrated highways, and Equitix is part of the consortium that…
Paul McDonagh who was recently appointed Head of Global Network Banking for the Royal Bank of Scotland Group and will be relocating to London from Abu Dhabi. He joins from Global Banking Markets (GBM) where he was General Manager, Abu Dhabi, Co-Head of Corporate Coverage and Head of Energy & Resources for the Middle East & Africa region. …
The concession agreement for the Tours-Bordeaux high speed line is worth 7.8 billion euros. On Thursday 16 June 2011, Réseau Ferré de France (RFF) signed the concession agreement for the Tours-Bordeaux high speed rail link with the LISEA consortium (led by construction group Vinci) and nine banks. The concession, which will last for 50 years,…
International law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has re-enforced its commitment to being a diverse and inclusive employer by refreshing and expanding its global diversity team. Kate Laffar, currently head of internal communications, has been appointed head of the global diversity and inclusion team. Together with intellectual property partner Avril Martindale and corporate partner Mark Rawlinson…
International law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer today launches a low carbon energy group focused on the China market to support Chinese organisations on their outbound investments in the global low-carbon sector and multinational businesses on their inbound investments into China’s rapidly expanding low-carbon economy. The group forms part of the firm’s global low carbon group….
Interest in investment in Indonesia has grown enormously in recent years. It has always been a resource-rich country, but greater political stability and an active commitment from the government to support foreign investment has encouraged a thriving business environment. Indonesia’s growth rate is predicted to exceed 6 per cent in 2011 and 2012. As significant…
Lieven Jacquemyn, former Regional Director of KPMG’s Infrastructure and Projects Group in Singapore, has branched out on his own, setting up the company, Plektics. Positioning itself as a developer, investor and operator of infrastructure projects, Plektics mainly focuses on emerging markets within Asia. The aspects of financing, planning and operations make up their core services….
DETAIL Commercial Solicitors advised the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) on the review of the PPP agreement for the design, build and transfer of a comprehensive integrated civil infrastructure for the development of the Katampe District in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. This Public Private Partnership Agreement – the first of its kind in Nigeria,…
Schiphol, April 18, 2011- During the first quarter of 2011, DIF Infrastructure II has closed two new PPP projects. In January the Fund has closed the A63 project in France. Per the end of March the Fund has closed a DIF follow-on investment in the Danish Archives in Denmark. In January the A63 toll…
An accomplished corporate lawyer who handles energy and infrastructure transactions has joined the international law firm of Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P. Carl Steen joined Fulbright’s Los Angeles office this week as a partner in the global firm’s corporate practice from Baker & Hostetler LLP, where he headed that firm’s project finance team and has been…
Two energy transactional lawyers whose work ranges from mergers and acquisitions to equity financings, project development and commercial matters have joined Fulbright’s global energy practice. Patrick Groomes and Anthony Danti join Fulbright’s Washington, D.C. office as partners from Kirkland and Ellis, LLP. Groomes and Danti concentrate on electric power and renewable energy matters, and also have…
Los Angeles, California – June 1, 2011: Former California Secretary of Business, Transportation and Housing, Dale E. Bonner, today announced the launch of Cal-Infra Advisors, Inc., an independent advisory firm that will advise the public and private sectors on a wide range of infrastructure policy, programs and projects, with a focus on public and private…
The European Investment Bank (EIB) has released a study aimed at exploring and promoting public-private partnerships (PPP) to fund critical infrastructure projects across nine countries in North Africa and the Middle East. The study was prepared by the PPP and project finance teams of legal advisers Pinsent Masons and Salans, and financial adviser Mazars. It…
The World Bank Group considers that, particularly in the countries where it operates, the establishment of a well-functioning certification program for PPP professionals could play a role in developing their capacities and skills. Through a certification program, the competence of any professional working on PPP projects could be tested against a pre-defined and agreed-to Body…
The Equator Principles Association (EPA) has published a report prepared by consultants ERM on the outcome of the Strategic Review of the Principles. The report sets out key findings and recommendations that will inform the process to update the Principles (the EP III Update) which is due to commence in the second half of…
SGS, the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company, will be attending the Energy & Infrastructure Finance Forum on June 15, 2011, at the Grand Hyatt in Santiago, Chile. During the event SGS experts will hold informative presentations on Risk in Hydro and Renewable Projects as well as Concessions. The Energy & Infrastructure Finance…
Energy-efficient buildings can neatly combine several interests of a business – the financial, the human and the community. From 14 June 2011, the Clayton Utz Sydney office will be located in a landmark building designed to achieve just that. 1 Bligh Street is the first high-rise in Sydney to achieve a 5 Star Energy Rating and…
The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) has applauded Qatar’s efforts at creating an economy for the long term, one that will be prosperous and broad-based.“It is impossible to come here without being impressed,” RBS group chief executive Stephen Hester said in an interview with Gulf Times in Doha.He said the Government of Qatar has been…
Allens Arthur Robinson (Allens) has acted for the financiers to the SA Health Partnership consortium which reached financial close earlier this week on the A$1.85 billion new Royal Adelaide Hospital PPP. The new Royal Adelaide Hospital will be Australia’s most advanced hospital, and the single largest infrastructure project in South Australia’s history. The SA Health…
As part of Hogan Lovells’ strategy to further strengthen its global infrastructure and project finance practice in all key jurisdictions, partner Christopher Cross, currently in London, is relocating to Dubai as of June 2011. This follows the recent addition of significant infrastructure and project finance teams in Hogan Lovells’ London and Houston offices, focusing specifically…
International legal practice Hogan Lovells has expanded its global Finance practice with the recruitment of José Luis Vázquez. José Luis joins Hogan Lovells International LLP in June 2011, based in theMadridoffice. José Luis joins Hogan Lovells from Uria Menéndez, where he specialised in project finance, infrastructure finance, acquisition finance, structured finance and debt restructuring. José…
The SA Health Partnership (SAHP) consortium today achieves financial close on the $1.85 billion new Royal Adelaide Hospital (nRAH). The consortium, which includes Hansen Yuncken, Leighton Contractors, Macquarie Capital and Spotless, will finance, design, build and operate the hospital under a 35-year concession. SA Health Partnership’s Chairman, Peter Hicks, stated that the new…
Lake Turkana Wind Power Ltd., which is leading a project in Kenya billed as sub-Saharan Africa’s largest wind farm, said it expects to complete a loan accord by October after securing a “loose” guarantee from the government. Delays thus far in finalizing the agreement may push back the start of producing an initial 50 megawatts…
