Conference Buzz | Industry Event Perspectives

IMN Green Investing Conference

The solar ABS conference that used to be known as Sunshine-backed Bonds, in New York

Apr 28, 2017 -- by Power Finance & Risk

IMN 2017: Time is Ripe for PACE, Solar ABS to Grow, Says Panel

Solar and Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) experts at the IMN Green Investing Conference on Thursday noted that both markets will see more participation as issuance accelerates and the sectors become more sophisticated.

Platts Vegas 2017

Platts Global Power Markets 2017 in Las Vegas

Apr 28, 2017 -- by Olivia Feld

Platts Vegas: Lender Nets Gas-fired Role Amid Pause in PJM

A sponsor has assigned a lead arranger for a gas-fired project in PJM Interconnection, where project financing activity is paused in the run up to the upcoming capacity auction, attendees at the Platts Global Power Markets conference in Las Vegas told PFR.
Apr 25, 2017 -- by Fotios Tsarouhis

Platts Vegas 2017: Consensus on Coal

Opinions on the impact—or lack of impact—of shifts in government policy on coal-fired and renewable generation converged during the opening panel discussion of Platts Global Power Markets 2017.
Apr 28, 2017 -- by Power Finance & Risk

Platts 2017: Reporter's Notebook

The 32nd annual Platts Global Power Markets Conference from April 24 to April 26 at the Wynn Las Vegas. PFR managing editor Olivia Feld and reporter Fotios Tsarouhis were in attendance.

Infocast Solar Power Finance & Investment Summit 2017

Infocast's Solar Power Finance & Investment Summit 2017 in San Diego

Mar 24, 2017 -- by Olivia Feld

Infocast Solar: Crowded Utility-scale Debt Market Pushes Banks Toward D.G.

New entrants to the market and a lack of power purchase agreement is creating a more competitive environment for project finance lenders and is prompting more commercial banks to look to finance distributed generation portfolios.
Mar 24, 2017 -- by Olivia Feld

Infocast Solar: Market Pauses to Consider Tax Reform

A lack of sunshine failed to dampen the mood at the Infocast Solar Power Finance & Investment Summit, which attracted approximately 1,000 attendees to the Rancho Bernardo Inn in San Diego, where the prospect of tax reform was mentioned on nearly every panel.
Mar 24, 2017 -- by Olivia Feld

Infocast Solar: Residential Players Adapt to Changing Landscape

Despite their companies taking a beating in the stock market, representatives of some of the leading publicly traded residential solar companies attending the Infocast Solar Power Finance & Investment Summit were keen to stress that they still have access to the capital markets.

LAEIFF 2017

Euromoney Seminars' Latin America Energy and Infrastructure Finance Forum 2017 in Miami

Mar 15, 2017 -- by Richard Metcalf

LAEIFF 2017: Structures in Crosshairs as Banks Land Mexico Renewables Mandates

As banks gear up for the first financings for renewable projects that were awarded contracts in Mexico’s inaugural post-reform power auctions, attendees at the Euromoney Seminars 11th Annual Latin America Energy and Infrastructure Finance Forum in Miami discussed a range of structures that could be deployed in the region.
Mar 17, 2017 -- by Power Finance & Risk

LAEIFF 2017: Reporter's Notebook

A big winner in the first Mexican power auction is expected by some to eschew project finance in favor of balance sheet funding, but PFR readers know differently.

Canadian Power Finance 2017

Jan 23, 2017 -- by Richard Metcalf

Canadian Power Finance: All Eyes on Alberta

Alberta was high on the agenda at the Euromoney Seminars 8th Annual Canadian Power Finance Conference in Toronto last week, as market participants contemplated a shake-up of the province’s power market as part of its plan to phase out coal by 2030.

SFIG Vegas 2017

Mar 01, 2017 -- by Power Finance & Risk

SFIG Vegas: Commercial Solar Lenders Plot ABS Growth

There is plenty of room for growth in commercial solar securitization, SFIG Vegas attendees heard on Tuesday, and lenders need capital markets access to fund it. But the lack of scale in the market is a key hurdle, creating a ‘catch 22’ situation.

Infocast's Projects & Money 2017

Jan 20, 2017 -- by Olivia Feld

Projects & Money: Deal Flow Stagnates amid Tax Reform Uncertainty

Uncertainty around the tax reform agenda of President Trump and the Republican-controlled U.S. Congress is causing stagnation in renewable project deal flow, say attendees at the Infocast Projects & Money conference in New Orleans.
Jan 20, 2017 -- by Olivia Feld

Projects & Money: Reporter's Notebook

A key fixture in the power finance calendar, Infocast's annual Projects & Money conference at Harrah's New Orleans drew the great and the good of the industry. Managing editor Olivia Feld attended.

Infocast Distributed Solar Summit 2016

Nov 16, 2016 -- by Richard Metcalf

Distributed Solar Summit: Industry Weighs Political Risks for Tax Equity

Assuming President-elect Trump does not prematurely revoke the investment tax credit (ITC), residential, commercial and industrial scale solar installations in the U.S. could reach 7.2 GW a year—resulting in 50 GW of installed capacity—by 2022, according to a Navigant analyst.
Nov 18, 2016 -- by Richard Metcalf

Distributed Solar Summit: Lenders Discuss Terms of DG Loans

Three different kinds of lenders outlined their debt offerings for distributed solar in a panel discussion at the Infocast Distributed Solar Summit in Los Angeles on Nov. 17.
Nov 18, 2016 -- by Richard Metcalf

Reporter’s Notebook

A show and tell story, a slip of the tongue and an odd metaphor for battery storage leaped out from the pages of the PFR reporter’s notebook following recent conferences in Mexico City and Los Angeles.

Platts Mexican Energy 2016

Nov 15, 2016 -- by Richard Metcalf

Platts Mexico: Amid Pacey Reforms, Some Projects May Stumble

Speakers and attendees at the 20th Annual Platts Mexican Energy Conference on Nov. 14 expressed surprise at the speed and success of reforms to the energy market, but warned that some of the renewables projects that won contracts in the country’s first two power auctions may not materialize.
Nov 18, 2016 -- by Richard Metcalf

Reporter’s Notebook

A show and tell story, a slip of the tongue and an odd metaphor for battery storage leaped out from the pages of the PFR reporter’s notebook following recent conferences in Mexico City and Los Angeles.

AWEA Wind Energy Finance & Investing Conference 2016

Oct 06, 2016 -- by Richard Metcalf

AWEA Finance & Investment: Basis Risk Emerges as Key Challenge for Tax Equity

Tax equity investors are paying close attention to a growing risk for wind projects with non-traditional offtake agreements. At issue is the difference between the price of power at the point of injection and the price where the offtake contract is settled.
Oct 07, 2016 -- by Olivia Feld

AWEA Finance & Investment: Surprising Amount of Wind Deals Despite PTC Slowdown

Despite an slowdown immediately following the production tax credit extension, this year has so far been a busy one for wind project financing at a number of the leading banks in the space.
Oct 06, 2016 -- by Fotios Tsarouhis

AWEA Finance & Investment: Panelists Weigh Future for Utility-owned Wind

Panelists discussed the increasing ownership of wind projects directly by utility companies at the AWEA Wind Energy Finance and Investment Conference at the Westin New York at Times Square on Oct. 5.
Oct 07, 2016 -- by Richard Metcalf

AWEA Finance & Investment: Reporter's Notebook

The wind industry is a close-knit group and the AWEA Wind Energy Finance & Investment Conference is generally a friendly affair, so there were plenty of lighter moments amid the serious discussions and dealmaking at the Westin New York at Times Square.

11th Annual North American Energy & Infrastructure Finance Forum

Sep 21, 2016 -- by Fotios Tsarouhis

NAEIF Forum: Financing Costs Rise as New Trends Define Market

Conference participants at the first day of Euromoney Seminars’ 11th Annual North American Energy and Infrastructure Finance Forum gathered at the Westin New York at Times Square on Sept. 21 to discuss new constraints and opportunities in project lending.
Sep 22, 2016 -- by Fotios Tsarouhis

NAEIF Forum: Panelists Debate Tax Equity, the Election and Interest Rates

Euromoney Seminars’ North American Energy and Infrastructure Finance Forum adjourned on Thursday, but not before attendees discussed a myriad of issues ranging from competition between project finance lenders, the impact of the upcoming U.S. election and the implications of a potential hike in interest rates.
Sep 22, 2016 -- by Fotios Tsarouhis

NAEIF Forum: Reporter's Notebook

Euromoney Seminars’ 11th Annual North American Energy and Infrastructure Finance Forum took place at the Westin New York at Times Square from Sept. 22 to 23. PFR managing editor Olivia Feld and reporter Fotios Tsarouhis attended the conference.

22nd Annual ABS East Conference

Sep 22, 2016 -- by Max Adams

ABS East: Solar Securtization Stagnates

The solar financing market is evolving as residential solar providers shift to ownership, rather than leasing solar assets, said panelists at ABS East at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach on Sept 19.

Solar Power International 2016

Sep 16, 2016 -- by Olivia Feld

SPI: A Tale of Two Cities?

Despite a tumultuous year, turnout was undamped at Solar Power International in Las Vegas. Over 17,000 solar industry professionals gathered at the Las Vegas Convention Center from Sept. 12 to Sept. 15 for the largest solar trade show in North America.
Sep 15, 2016 -- by Olivia Feld

SPI: Reporter's Notebook

Solar Power International kicked off on Monday at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Managing editor Olivia Feld attended the conference.

Mexico Power Finance & Investment Summit 2016

Jun 30, 2016 -- by Richard Metcalf

Mexico Summit: Viability of Contracted Projects Discussed

Some of the renewables projects that won offtake contracts in a Mexico power auction in March face a lengthy development period and may even end up not being built at all, said panelists at the Infocast Mexico Power Finance & Investment Summit in New York on June 29.
Jul 01, 2016 -- by Richard Metcalf

Mexico Summit: Banks Eye “Creative” Structures for Merchant Risk

Financiers at commercial and multilateral banks discussed how debt financings might be structured for projects that have obtained aggressively priced power purchase agreements in auctions under Mexico’s new market rules at the Infocast Mexico Power Finance & Investment Summit in New York on June 30.

REFF Wall Street 2016

Jun 21, 2016 -- by Richard Metcalf

REFF Wall Street: Tax Equity Adapts to Market Changes

Renewables tax credits may have been extended at the end of last year, but tax equity investors are having to adapt to an evolving market, including ever lower-cost wind generation. Some of the major players discussed the changes at on the first day of the REFF Wall Street conference, which took place at the Grand Hyatt New York on June 21 and 22.
Jun 22, 2016 -- by Richard Metcalf

REFF Wall Street: Corporate Renewable Buying Could Soar: Here's How

Non-utility offtakers signed contracts for about 3.4 GW of renewables last year, but long tenors are still putting some off and regulated markets still present challenges, said panelists at the REFF Wall Street conference in New York on June 21.
Jun 24, 2016 -- by Richard Metcalf

Offsite PPAs Gain in Popularity with Corporates

PwC recently carried out a survey of U.S.-headquartered companies regarding their approach to procuring energy, and George Favaloro, an m.d. at the accountancy, tax and advisory firm, was on hand at the REFF Wall Street conference in New York to share the results.
Jun 22, 2016 -- by Richard Metcalf

REFF Wall Street: Lessons from the Yieldco Experience

Market participants discussed the role of public equity markets and yield companies in financing renewables projects on the second and final day of the REFF Wall Street conference in New York.
Jun 21, 2016 -- by Fotios Tsarouhis

REFF Wall Street: Spotlight on Distributed Solar

The rise of smaller-scale generation, including distributed solar and commercial and industrial-scale renewables, its disruptive effect on the market and its ability to attract financing were recurring topics on the first day of REFF Wall Street at the Grand Hyatt New York.
Jun 23, 2016 -- by Richard Metcalf

REFF Wall Street: Lenders Assess Merchant Renewable Risk

A group of lenders assembled onstage at the culmination of REFF Wall Street this year to talk about financing trends for renewables projects, including how to deal with the merchant aspects of projects with non-utility offtake contracts.
Jun 24, 2016 -- by Richard Metcalf

REFF Wall Street: Reporter's Notebook

A selection of snippets gleaned on the sidelines of the 13th annual REFF Wall Street conference in New York. A regional U.S. bank seeks to break into renewables financing, and a developer gives his frank take on the Mexico power auction results.

Sunshine Backed Bonds 2016

Apr 21, 2016 -- by Fotios Tsarouhis

Sunshine Backed Bonds 2016: The "Ever Evolving Field"

Solar financiers converged on the New York Marriott Downtown Thursday for the Information Management Network's 4th Annual Sunshine Backed Bonds Conference.

Platts Global Power Markets 2016

Apr 20, 2016 -- by Richard Metcalf

Platts 2016: Term Loan B Market in Recovery Mode

Panelists discussed the reemergence of the term loan B market and inflows of foreign capital at the Platts Global Power Markets conference in Las Vegas on April 20.
Apr 19, 2016 -- by Richard Metcalf

Platts 2016: IPP Execs Slam Renewables Subsidies

Executives representing independent power producers attacked subsidies for renewable generation at the Platts Global Power Markets conference in Las Vegas on April 19.

Infocast Solar Power Finance & Investment Summit 2016

Mar 24, 2016 -- by Olivia Feld

Infocast Solar: Financiers Look for New Ways to Deploy Capital

Financiers discussed innovative opportunities to invest in solar projects on the sidelines at the Infocast Solar Power Finance & Investment Summit in San Bernardo, Calif.
Mar 23, 2016 -- by Olivia Feld

Infocast Solar: Market Reels after ITC Extension

Panelists debated the year ahead for the solar industry after the three year extension of the 30% investment tax credit and the turbulence in the equity markets at the Infocast Solar Power Finance & Investment Summit in The Rancho Bernardo Inn in San Diego, Calif., on March 23.

Euromoney's Latin American Energy & Infrastructure Finance Forum 2016

Mar 14, 2016 -- by Richard Metcalf

LAEIFF 2016: Tenors to Shorten, Pricing to Rise in LatAm

A panel of bankers discussed the changing dynamic between local and international banks in Latin America, and how it could affect the availability and cost of capital at the Euromoney Seminars 10th Anniversary Latin American Energy and Infrastructure Finance Forum in Miami.
Mar 15, 2016 -- by Richard Metcalf

LAEIFF 2016: Bankers Mull Terms of Mexican Power Finance

Bankers at the Euromoney Seminars 10th Annual Latin American Energy and Infrastructure Finance Forum in Miami are thinking about how projects that win contracts in the first ever Mexican power auction will be financed.
Mar 14, 2016 -- by Fotios Tsarouhis

LAEIFF 2016: Brazilian Projects Face Tough Financing Conditions

Sponsors that have won contracts for projects into Brazilian generation auctions are struggling to find financing, according to panelists at Euromoney Seminars’ 10th Anniversary Latin American Energy Finance Forum in Miami.
Mar 15, 2016 -- by Fotios Tsarouhis

LAEIFF 2016: Smaller Economies a Back Door to LatAm

Attendees at Euromoney Seminars’ 10th Annual Latin American Energy and Infrastructure Finance Forum looked into the potential for accessing large regional markets through their smaller neighbors on Tuesday at the Ritz-Carlton South Beach in Miami.

Infocast's 8th Annual Projects & Money 2016

Jan 22, 2016 -- by Olivia Feld

Projects & Money 2016: Term Loan B Market “Dead”

The term loan B market has effectively shut down, according to panelists at Infocast’s 8th Annual Projects & Money conference in New Orleans on Jan. 21.
Jan 21, 2016 -- by Richard Metcalf

Projects & Money 2016: IPPs Not Overbuilding, Say Conference Goers

In his role as chairman of 'Projects & Money Interactive', Buz Barclay presided over the inaugural live poll of conference goers at the annual event, asking attendees to make predictions on various key issues facing the market.
Jan 20, 2016 -- by Richard Metcalf

Projects & Money 2016: Tax Credit Extensions to Dampen Deal Flow

The extension of renewables tax credits at the end of last year will one of the key issues shaping the project finance market in 2016, according to speakers at Infocast's 8th Annual Projects & Money conference in New Orleans on Jan. 20.
Jan 20, 2016 -- by Olivia Feld

Projects & Money 2016: Hedges "Major Driver" for Development

A lack of availability of power hedges was hot topic at the Infocast 8th Annual Projects & Money conference in New Orleans on Jan. 20.
Jan 21, 2016 -- by Richard Metcalf

Projects & Money 2016: Reporter's Notebook

Panda Power Funds' Hummel project could have had a much racier name, if Robert Simmons had got his way.

REFF Wall Street 2015

Jun 25, 2015 -- by Nischinta Amarnath

REFF Wall Street: Iberdrola Plots IPO After UIL Marriage

The U.S. offshoot of Spain's Iberdrola is planning to launch a partial IPO once it completes its merger with Orange, Conn.-based United Illuminating Holding Co.
Jun 26, 2015 -- by Nischinta Amarnath

REFF Wall Street: Developers Grapple With New Challenges

Even as strategic investors are increasingly becoming involved in financing renewables projects, developers are tackling a fresh set of risks and challenges in developing their generation portfolios.
Jun 26, 2015 -- by Nischinta Amarnath

Reporter’s Notebook

A snapshot of lighter moments at the 2015 REFF Wall Street conference in New York replete with snippets of conversation and banter across panels, luncheons and cocktails.
Jun 24, 2015 -- by Nischinta Amarnath

REFF Wall Street: Renewables Developers, YieldCos Backed By Liquidity

While the renewabels market is seeing high levels of liquidity, yieldcos are capitalizing on declining costs of capital for shovel-ready and operating projects, according to panelists at the 12th Renewable Energy Finance Forum Wall Street conference in New York today.

Platts 30th Annual Global Power Markets Conference

Apr 17, 2015 -- by Olivia Feld

PLATTS: Despite Ample Debt Flows, Sponsors Squeezed For Equity

Project financiers at Platts’ 30th Annual Global Power Markets are competing for business as lenders continue to surge into power and energy deals in the Americas.
Apr 16, 2015 -- by Olivia Feld

PLATTS: Financiers Scope Solar Storage

Transactions backing solar storage could become mainstream in the coming years, according to panelists at Platts' 30th Annual Global Power Markets conference in Las Vegas on April 13.
Apr 16, 2015 -- by Olivia Feld

PLATTS: Rockland Floats Renewable Portfolio

Rockland Capital is selling a 71 MW portfolio of contracted wind and solar projects in Minnesota and Massachusetts.
Apr 15, 2015 -- by Olivia Feld

Platts: LNG Exports, Mexico Critical to U.S. Gas Market

LNG export facilities in the U.S. and gas pipeline projects in Mexico will help balance a growing surplus of natural gas in North America, Bentek Energy presenters noted at Platts' 30th Annual Global Power Markets conference in Las Vegas on April 13.

Infocast's Projects & Money 2015

Jan 14, 2015 -- by Sara Rosner

Projects & Money 2015: Utilities Grapple With Industry Pressures

The proliferation of distributed generation, energy efficiency measures and technologies that enable demand conservation, are putting significant pressure on the traditional utility business model.
Jan 14, 2015 -- by Olivia Feld

Projects & Money 2015: Players Scope Next Gas Opportunities

Sponsors, investors and financiers are looking for the next slate of opportunities in gas-fired projects and gas-related infrastructure.
Jan 15, 2015 -- by Sara Rosner

Projects & Money 2015: Institutional Investors Scout Direct Investments

Institutional investors are increasingly looking to make direct investments in generation and gas-related infrastructure, according to panelists at Infocast’s 7th Annual Projects & Money conference in New Orleans.
Jan 16, 2015 -- by Sara Rosner

Projects & Money 2015: Power Players Ponder Growth, Transition

Financiers, investors and developers are considering a bevy of changes in the power industry at a time when capital continues to flow into the sector. Yield companies, emissions regulations, natural gas supply, distributed generation and adjustments in capacity markets are among the catalysts that are shifting the power project finance and M&A landscape.
Jan 16, 2015 -- by Olivia Feld

Projects & Money 2015: More Lenders Eye DG Growth

Project finance lenders are increasingly looking to expand into solar distributed generation, as the cost continues to decline and deals gain traction in the market, said panelists at Infocast’s 7th Annual Projects & Money in New Orleans.

Mexican Energy And Infrastructure Finance Forum

Opportunities in booming renewable and pipeline markets were tempered by concerns about governmental support and regulatory issues at Euromoney Seminars’ 9th Annual Mexican Energy and Infrastructure Finance Forum. Roughly one hundred bankers, investors and developers gathered at the JW Marriott in Mexico City for the conference June 25-26. Senior Reporter Nicholas Stone filed the following stories.

Jun 25, 2013 -- by Nicholas Stone

MEIFF: Mexico Expected To Detail Energy Plan

Mexico is expected to detail energy infrastructure plans and if it does industry watchers are predicting a strong flow of power and energy projects, according to panelists at Euromoney’s Mexican Energy and Infrastructure Finance Forum at the JW Marriott in Mexico City on June 25.
Jun 26, 2013 -- by Nicholas Stone

MEIFF: Mexico Gas Pipelines To Need Capital

Capital will be needed to develop natural gas pipelines in Mexico, a move arising out of the country looking to import shale gas from the U.S., said panelists at Euromoney’s Mexican Energy and Infrastructure Finance Forum at the JW Marriott in Mexico City on June 25.
Jun 27, 2013 -- by Nicholas Stone

MEIFF: Renewable Project Bonds Enter Mexican Financing Mix

Sponsors and bankers are working to develop renewable project bond structures to appeal to foreign and domestic institutional investors.
Jun 27, 2013 -- by Nicholas Stone

MEIFF: Gauss To Bring Three Solar Projects To Market

Gauss Energia, a Mexico City-based energy company, is looking to bring three new solar projects to market in the coming months, CEO and President Hector Olea told PFR on the sidelines of Euromoney’s Mexican Energy and Infrastructure Finance Forum at the JW Marriott in Mexico City on June 26.

REFF Wall Street 2012

Jun 21, 2012 -- by Sara Rosner

REFF: Asian, U.S. Banks Step Up PF Efforts

Asian and U.S. lenders are stepping up project finance activity as European players scale back their efforts or step out of the market.
Jun 21, 2012 -- by Sara Rosner

REFF: Roughly $2B Tax Equity Deals Pending

About $2 billion in tax equity investments are making their way through the market.
Jun 20, 2012 -- by Sara Rosner

REFF: Investors Hunt For Project Bonds

Institutional investors in the capital markets are showing an increasing appetite for bonds backing project finance deals, financiers told attendees at 9th annual REFF-Wall Street conference in New York.
Jun 19, 2012 -- by Sara Rosner

REFF: Time To Move On From Subsidy Reliance?

The political uncertainty on Capitol Hill and the uncertainty over expiring renewable tax credits has some players questioning whether production tax credits are a good thing for the industry.

Renewable Energy Finance Forum Latin America & Caribbean

Apr 27, 2012 -- by Brian Eckhouse

Reporter’s Notebook

Salvador Escobedo, founding partner of Latin American solar management firm SOLAM, on the need for strong, transparent competition in the region: “The conquest of Latin America happened 500 years ago.”
Apr 26, 2012 -- by Brian Eckhouse

REFF LatAm & Caribbean: Inkia Circles Peruvian Hydro Commitments

Inkia Energy is close to sealing commitments from 12 lenders participating in a roughly $600 million financing backing its $900 million, 500 MW hydro project in Peru, Pablo Eguiluz, project finance manager, said on the sidelines of Euromoney Energy Events’ Renewable Finance Forum – Latin America and Caribbean.
Apr 26, 2012 -- by Brian Eckhouse

REFF LatAm & Caribbean: Development Banks Filling LatAm Financing Holes

Development and local banks are filling gaps in the Latin American renewables market as the landscape shifts from a corporate and equity financings to project level debt, said panelists at Euromoney Energy Events’ Renewable Energy Finance Forum – Latin America and Caribbean in Miami.
Apr 25, 2012 -- by Brian Eckhouse

REFF LatAm & Caribbean: Foreign Developers, Manufacturers Eye LatAm

A coterie of overseas sponsors and manufacturers are targeting project pipelines in Latin America, driven in part by renewable portfolio standards and new auctions for power purchase agreements, said attendees at Euromoney Energy Events’ Renewable Energy Finance Forum – Latin America & Caribbean in Miami.
Apr 25, 2012 -- by Brian Eckhouse

REFF LatAm & Caribbean: BNDES To Continue Dominating LatAm Renewables

Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Econômico e Social will remain the dominant renewables investor in Latin America and the Caribbean in 2012, boosted by local content rules and a pipeline of wind projects being developed from a 2009 tender.
Apr 25, 2012 -- by Brian Eckhouse

REFF LatAm & Caribbean: Fla. Co. Plots Honduras Biomass

Renewables sponsor Green Valley Energy of Bonita Springs, Fla., is targeting a roughly $65 million financing backing it maiden project, a $100 million, 35 MW biomass project in Santa Barbara, Honduras.
Apr 25, 2012 -- by Brian Eckhouse

REFF LatAm & Caribbean: Spanish Sponsor Targets Peru Solar Debt

Vizcaya, Spain-based Solarpack is talking to European and Japanese lenders about securing roughly $120 million in debt to back two solar photovoltaic projects in Peru.

Platts 27th Annual Global Power Conference

Uncertain federal energy plans and transmission were a few of the hot topics discussed by the roughly 700 bankers, developers and power executives at Platts 27th Annual Global Power Markets Conference at the Aria Resort & Casino in Las Vegas April 1-3. Senior Reporter Holly Fletcher filed the following stories:

Apr 05, 2012 -- by Holly Fletcher

Platts Conference: NatGas To Be Dominant, Available For Decades

The domestic reserves of natural gas should reduce the commodity’s price volatility and propel it into being more than just a renewable bridge fuel for decades to come, proponents of the natural gas told attendees at Platts 27th Global Power Markets conference.
Apr 05, 2012 -- by Holly Fletcher

Platts Conference: Execs Hope For Wind Tax Credits

Industry officials at Platts 27th Global Power Markets conference appeared guardedly optimistic that the production tax credits for wind would be extended at some point, although the 2013 wind market could still suffer if the extension comes late in the year.
Apr 05, 2012 -- by Holly Fletcher

Platts Conference: First Solar, Exelon Near Finalization Of DOE Loan

First Solar and Exelon are in the last stages of finalizing documentation with the U.S. Department of Energy for a loan guarantee for the 230 MW solar project, Frank De Rosa, senior v.p. of First Solar, told PI on the sidelines of the Platts 27th Global Power Markets conference.
Apr 04, 2012 -- by Holly Fletcher

Platts Conference: IFM-Backed Shop Eyes Expansion

Essential Power, the U.S. power platform company of Industry Funds Management, has an eye on buying contracted assets to grow its generation platform—although it’s in no rush to buy facilities that don't fit its model.
Apr 04, 2012 -- by Holly Fletcher

Platts Conference: ECP, Exelon Shop For Transmission Opportunities

Energy Capital Partners and Exelon are looking for opportunities to invest in, or buy, transmission projects, officials told attendees at Platts 27th Global Power Markets conference in Las Vegas.
Apr 03, 2012 -- by Holly Fletcher

Platts Conference: Power Generation Diversity Beats Subsidies

Power companies should look for ways to drive consumers toward a cleaner, more diverse generation mix given the absence of a federal long-term energy blueprint, according to speakers at Platts 27th Global Power Markets conference in Las Vegas.

7th Annual U.S. Power and Renewable Conference

Feb 15, 2012 -- by Brian Eckhouse

Developer Plots N.Y. Transmission Timeline

Anbaric Transmission, an affiliate of the sponsors behind the Neptune and Hudson transmission projects, anticipates a four-year development period preceding financing for its proposed 80-100 mile transmission line from upstate New York to near West Point, N.Y.
Feb 15, 2012 -- by Brian Eckhouse

Expired DOE Program Continues To Buttress Solar

Sponsors of mammoth solar projects in the U.S. seeking financing are indirectly benefiting from the U.S. Department of Energy’s expired loan guarantee program, said panelists at Euromoney Seminar’s 7th Annual U.S. Power and Renewable Energy Conference said.
Feb 15, 2012 -- by Brian Eckhouse

Summit Shoots For Q3 Close On Clean Coal

Summit Power is looking to close a roughly $1.3 billion debt financing backing its $2.4 billion, 400 MW integrated gasification combined-cycle project this summer.

6th Annual Latin American Energy and Infrastructure Finance Forum

Mar 01, 2012 -- by Sara Rosner

Challenges Persist For Project Bonds In LatAm

Project finance bonds are facing many hurdles despite their favor among developers and financiers, according to attendees of the 6th Annual Latin America Energy and Infrastructure Finance Forum in Miami.
Mar 01, 2012 -- by Sara Rosner

Social Hurdles Loom For Renewables

Social concerns are impeding wind project development in Mexico and large hydro projects in Peru and Brazil.

Infocast’s Solar Power & Investment Summit 2012

Mar 02, 2012 -- by Brian Eckhouse

Long Tenors Still Available

At least two lenders are capable of offering 18-year tenors in this contracted bank market, said Elizabeth Waters, Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ director of project finance, at Infocast’s Solar Power Finance & Investment Summit in San Diego, pointing to BTMU and Mizuho Corporate Bank.
Mar 02, 2012 -- by Brian Eckhouse

Bid Prices For Solar PPAs Continue To Drop

Solar sponsors short-listed in 2011 request for offers in California have bid $73-78 per MWh before applying time-of-day factors, said attendees at Infocast’s Solar Power Finance & Investment Summit 2012 in San Diego.
Feb 29, 2012 -- by Brian Eckhouse

Abengoa To Hunt Tax Equity

Abengoa Solar will look to snag up to $400 million in tax equity for its $1.6 billion, 250 MW Mojave concentrating solar power project in San Bernardino County, Calif., in 2013 or 2014.
Mar 02, 2012 -- by Brian Eckhouse

Oslo Developer Preps 2012 U.S. Financings

Scatec Solar North America, an arm of Oslo developer Scatec Solar, is talking to lenders about financings backing almost $165 million of solar projects in the U.S. this year.
Mar 01, 2012 -- by Brian Eckhouse

Chevron To Join Tax Equity Mix

Chevron affiliate Chevron Energy Solutions is expected to emerge as a player in tax equity this year, according to multiple renewables leaders at Infocast’s Solar Power Finance & Investment Summit 2012 in San Diego.
Mar 02, 2012 -- by Brian Eckhouse

Financiers: DG Needs Scale

Solar distributed generation sponsors must achieve scale in financings to ensure financial efficiencies if the rapidly growing market is to mature, said panelists at Infocast’s Solar Power Finance & Investment Summit 2012.
Mar 02, 2012 -- by Brian Eckhouse

Election Uncertainty To Hang Over Renewables

Uncertainty over U.S. energy policies will endure through at least election day as presidential aspirants and their backers continue to position about the government’s role in subsidizing renewables—and solar in particular, said attendees of Infocast’s Solar Power Finance & Investment Summit 2012 in San Diego.
Mar 01, 2012 -- by Brian Eckhouse

GE EFS Lands LS Ariz. PV Stake

GE Energy Financial Services has invested $100 million in LS Power’s $550 million, 127 MW Arlington Valley II solar photovoltaic project in Maricopa County, Ariz., said Kevin Walsh, managing director and leader of power and renewable energy, on the sidelines of Infocast’s Solar Power Finance & Investment Summit 2012.

3rd Annual Canadian Power Finance Conference

Hundreds of bankers, developers, lawyers and investors convened for Euromoney Seminar’s 3rd Annual Canadian Power Finance conference at the Fairmont Royal York in Toronto Jan. 25-26. Big transmission targets, wind development and Ontario’s feed-in tariff program created the buzz. Senior Reporter Holly Fletcher filed the following stories.

Jan 27, 2012 -- by Holly Fletcher

Alberta Transmission Call To Lure Big Players

The Alberta Electric System Operator will launch in July a call for transmission developers to build a 248-280 mile, 500 kV transmission project in Alberta.
Jan 27, 2012 -- by Holly Fletcher

Gas-Fired Gen Could Replace Some Nuclear

Ontario is likely to turn to developing more natural gas-fired projects as the province moves toward the retirement of several gigawatts of nuclear facilities, said Jason Chee-Aloy, managing director at Power Advisory at the Euromoney Seminar’s Canadian Power Finance Conference in Toronto.
Jan 26, 2012 -- by Holly Fletcher

Advisory Shop Chases LifeCos For Distributed Gen

Travelers Capital Corp., a Burnaby, B.C.-based advisory shop, is working with developers of rooftop, distributed generation and hydro projects to line up financing from Canadian life insurance companies and pension plans.
Jan 26, 2012 -- by Holly Fletcher

Wind Tipped For Consolidation

Market players in Canada anticipate consolidation of wind developers or sales of projects in the coming year as smaller developers find it difficult to line up the early development capital needed to push toward construction.

Infocast's Projects & Money 2012

Jan 18, 2012 -- by Brian Eckhouse

Canadian Solar Prepares U.S. Foray

Canadian Solar expects to develop 50-100 MW of commercial and small utility-scale solar projects in the U.S. in 2012—its first foray in the country.
Jan 18, 2012 -- by Brian Eckhouse

Canadian Provinces To Seek New Gen

Utilities in two Canadian provinces may seek up to 5 GW of new generation via solicitations by 2020, said Brian Vaasjo, Capital Power president and ceo, on the sidelines of Infocast’s Projects & Money 2012 conference in New Orleans.
Jan 19, 2012 -- by Brian Eckhouse

Demand For Mezz Debt, Equity Mounts

The power sector is shifting to a project finance model increasingly dependent on a larger equity component and mezzanine debt, especially for merchant projects, said panelists at Infocast’s Projects & Money 2012 in New Orleans.
Jan 19, 2012 -- by Brian Eckhouse

Sponsors, Banks See Gas Opportunities

Developers and financiers are bullish on the long-term potential of new gas-fired projects in the U.S., despite the expected slow 2012 for project financings and an oversupply of existing capacity across the U.S.

4th Annual Brazilian Energy and Infrastructure Finance Forum

Nov 14, 2011 -- by Sara Rosner

Pricing Pressure Looms For Brazil Wind

Wind developers looking to bid into Brazil’s next auction for generation are worried that the downward trend in pricing in contracts will make many projects unfeasible.
Nov 14, 2011 -- by Sara Rosner

Peruvian Hydro Deal Details Surface

The financing package backing Odebrecht’s $1.25 billion Chaglia hydro project in central Peru is slated to close in February.
Nov 14, 2011 -- by Sara Rosner

Banks, Developers Circle Colombia

Sponsors and relationship lenders are targeting Colombia for power project development as the country plots a multi-billion dollar infrastructure program and enjoys investment grade credit ratings for the first time in over a decade.

46th Annual EEI Financial Conference

Nov 08, 2011 -- by Holly Fletcher

KEPCO Targets North America Wind, Solar Spree

Korea Electric Power Co. is looking for wind and solar project acquisitions in the U.S. and Canada as a way to meet its domestic renewable portfolio standard.
Nov 11, 2011 -- by Holly Fletcher

Fortis Scopes U.S. Utility Acquisitions

Fortis, the St. John, Newfoundland-based utility holding company, is scouting for acquisition opportunities of power and gas utilities in the U.S.
Nov 08, 2011 -- by Holly Fletcher

AES Eastern Debt Payment Looms, Buyer Talks Continue

Talks are continuing between AES and prospective buyers for its AES Eastern Energy subsidiary even as the coal-fired unit anticipates challenges in making its next debt payment.
Nov 11, 2011 -- by Brian Eckhouse

Distributed Solar Growth Reshapes Demand

The expansion of distributed solar generation is contributing to decreased demand from major users for traditional wholesale power providers, said Glen Grabelsky, Fitch Ratings managing director, at the Edison Electric Institute Financial Conference in Orlando, Fla.
Nov 08, 2011 -- by Brian Eckhouse

Westar To Scout Transmission Funds

Westar Energy and a joint venture of American Electric Power and MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company will look for construction financing for the $225 million Prairie Wind Transmission project late next year.
Nov 10, 2011 -- by Brian Eckhouse

PG&E Readies Capital Markets Foray

Pacific Gas & Electric plans to tap the capital markets in 2012 to help finance its heavy capital expenditures program, Kent Harvey, senior v.p. and cfo, told PI at the Edison Electric Institute Financial Conference in Orlando, Fla.
Nov 09, 2011 -- by Brian Eckhouse

EPA To Hit Small Coal Plants

Coal-fired plants generating under 400 MW are most vulnerable to forced retirements under upcoming U.S. Environmental Protection Agency emissions regulation.
Nov 10, 2011 -- by Brian Eckhouse

Wave Of Deregulation Seen

The U.S. utilities industry may be in the midst of a second-wave of deregulation and competition and the first since the late 1990s, said Brian Hayduk, the former president of one-time PNM Resources subsidiary First Choice Power, at the Edison Electric Institute Financial Conference in Orlando, Fla.
Nov 08, 2011 -- by Brian Eckhouse

PGE Preps Gas RFP

Portland General Electric is readying a request for proposals for 500-700 MW of gas-fired generation.
Nov 10, 2011 -- by Brian Eckhouse

PSEG Preps Transmission Project

Public Service Enterprise Group is readying $750 million in transmission lines from Warren County, N.J., through Morris County to Essex County.
Nov 11, 2011

Seen ’N Heard

Observations from around the Edison Electric Institute Financial Conference.
Nov 11, 2011

Reporter’s Notebook

A round-up of news from the Edison Electric Institute Financial Conference about companies including Southern Co., American Electric Power, Black Hills Corp., CH Energy Group and FirstEnergy.

Platts 14th Annual Financing U.S. Power

Oct 28, 2011 -- by Brian Eckhouse

Solar Bidders To RFPs Pitch Low Prices

Solar photovoltaic sponsors are pitching extremely low prices to utilities as the sponsors face a paucity of power purchase agreements and robust competition.
Oct 28, 2011 -- by Brian Eckhouse

Lenders: PF Deals Will Still Get Done

The European sovereign debt crisis may have sidelined some project lenders, compressed tenors and widened spreads, but there is appetite to wrap deals, said Matt O’Connor, leader of GE Energy Financial Services’ financial institutions group, at Platts’ 13th Annual Financing US Power in New York.
Oct 28, 2011 -- by Holly Fletcher

Bankers, Execs Spy B-Loan Window

A rally in stock markets has opened a window for securing term B loans, bankers and executives said at the conference.
Oct 28, 2011 -- by Holly Fletcher

Coal-Fired Gen Lures, Stumps Financial Players

Financial players have an eye out for coal-fired generation investments, but opportunities are difficult to value.
Oct 27, 2011 -- by Holly Fletcher

ECP Circles First Close On Mezz Fund

Energy Capital Partners is nearing the first close on its maiden mezzanine debt fund.

6th Annual North American Infrastructure & Energy Finance Forum

Sep 23, 2011

Reporter’s Notebook

A collection of interesting tidbits picked up at, and behind, the scene of the conference.
Sep 23, 2011

Reznick: New Investors Eye Tax Equity Mart

New tax equity players may emerge to take advantage of tax credits even after the expected sunset of the U.S. Department of Treasury cash grant on Dec. 31, said Robert Sternthal, president of Reznick Capital Markets.
Sep 23, 2011

PPA Scarcity Haunts Developers

Renewables developers are concerned about a paucity of power purchase agreements and uncertainty surrounding those contracts in the U.S. and Canada.
Sep 22, 2011 -- by Brian Eckhouse

Hudson, Neptune Developer Plots Projects

PowerBridge, the Fairfield, Conn.-based transmission developer behind the Neptune and Hudson lines, is planning early-stage projects in northern New England, Hawaii and upstate New York.
Sep 22, 2011 -- by Brian Eckhouse

La Caixa Readies U.S. PF Operation

La Caixa expects to relocate four existing project financiers from Spain to staff an office in New York that it aims to open within three months, said an industry observer.

Acore and Euromoney's Renewable Energy Finance Forum--Wall Street

Jun 22, 2011

REFF-Wall Street: Utility, Funds Plot Edison Investment

Marathon Capital is working with a utility and pension funds to establish a vehicle that will co-invest in Edison Mission Energy’s wind portfolio.
Jun 22, 2011

Starwood Closes Solar, Storage Deals

Starwood Energy Group has wrapped a roughly $40 million financing backing 10 MW at a solar photovoltaic project in Sault Ste.
Jun 23, 2011 -- by Holly Fletcher

Reznick Plots Boutique Growth

Reznick Capital Markets is in the market to expand its capital advisory practice into a full boutique investment bank.
Jun 22, 2011

REFF-Wall Street: Push Made For MLP Renewables

The geothermal, hydro, solar and wind industries are lobbying Congress to allow master limited partnerships to invest in renewables projects, said Keith Martin, Chadbourne & Parke partner, on the sidelines of the REFF-Wall Street conference in New York City hosted by the American Council on Renewable Energy and Euromoney Energy Events.
Jun 21, 2011 -- by Brian Eckhouse

EverPower Looks To Finance Merchant Wind

EverPower is targeting roughly $45 million in debt to support two merchant wind farms it is developing
Jun 22, 2011

Chinese Co. Eyes Solar PV Financing

ENN Group North America, an affiliate of Chinese solar manufacturer ENN Solar, is looking to finance 20 MW of solar photovoltaic projects in New Jersey by year-end to qualify for the U.S.

Platt's Global Power Markets Conference

Apr 12, 2011 -- by Holly Fletcher

The Vegas Line: Tenaska Tracks Ill. Legislation

Tenaska is monitoring whether a bill in the Illinois legislature will put its $3.5 billion, 600 MW Taylorville integrated gasification combined cycle project back on track.
Apr 14, 2011 -- by Holly Fletcher

The Vegas Line: Safety Concerns, Costs Cut Nuke Push

The nuclear renaissance that was taking hold in the U.S. is expected to be stopped in its tracks—at least temporarily—as a result of the ongoing crisis at Tokyo Electric Power Co.’s earthquake and tsunami-battered Fukushima nuclear plant.
Apr 15, 2011 -- by Holly Fletcher

The Vegas Line: NRG Scopes Solar Securitization

NRG Energy is in the early stages of an initiative to securitize portions of the revenue from its solar portfolio as a way to diversify its access to capital.
Apr 14, 2011 -- by Holly Fletcher

The Vegas Line: New Gas Build Take Backseat To M&A

New natural gas-fired projects will continue to take a backseat to asset M&A as low power demand and pricing signal that new build is not yet required.
Apr 13, 2011 -- by Holly Fletcher

The Vegas Line: Guatemalan Cos Prep RFP

Empresa Electrica de Guatemala, a distribution company based in Guatemala City, is teaming up with two other local distribution companies on an 800 MW request for proposals that will bring in 480 MW of renewable power.
Apr 11, 2011

The Vegas Line: CPV Finds Bank Hunger For Sentinel

Competitive Power Ventures expects to finalize the $400 million financing backing its 850 MW Sentinel combined-cycle facility in the middle of next month.
Apr 15, 2011

The Vegas Line: Coal To Creep Into M&A, Financing

Coal-fired plants are expected to trickle into the financing and M&A markets as developers get more clarity on regulations from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Infocast's Solar Power & Investment Summit

Mar 23, 2011

Conference Coverage: RPS, Technology Hurdles Remain For Solar

Solar generation is in growth mode, but technology and a lack of federal renewable portfolio standards continue to dog the sector, according to panelists at Infocast’s Solar Power Finance & Investment Summit 2011 in San Diego, Calif.
Mar 25, 2011

Conference Coverage: Overseas Arrivals Seek North American Solar Debt

A new raft of international developers are seeking financing for $600-830 million of North American solar projects.
Mar 24, 2011 -- by Brian Eckhouse

Conference Coverage: MetLife Takes Stake In BP Solar Project

MetLife has bought in to BP Solar’s 32 MW Long Island Solar Farm as an investor and partner, said Jim Shandalov, BP senior director of solar development in San Francisco, on the sidelines of Infocast’s Solar Power Finance & Investment Summit 2011.
Mar 24, 2011

Conference Coverage: Financiers Divide On DOE Guarantee Impact

Financiers at Infocast’s Solar Power Finance & Investment Summit 2011 are split over the merits of the U.S. Department of Energy’s loan guarantee program for commercial-ready technologies.
Mar 25, 2011

EDF Targets May For Ontario Solar Debt

EDF Energies Nouvelles aims to wrap a financing backing its roughly $48 million St. Isidore B solar plant in May.
Mar 25, 2011

DOE To Process 25 More Loan Guarantees

The U.S. Department of Energy is expected to process at least 25 more applications in the queue for federal loan guarantees.
Mar 24, 2011 -- by Brian Eckhouse

Conference Coverage: Citi Readies Two Solar Thermal Deals

Financiers at Infocast’s Solar Power Finance & Investment Summit 2011 are split over the merits of the U.S. Department of Energy’s loan guarantee program for commercial-ready technologies.

Geothermal Energy Association's Geothermal Energy Finance Forum 2011

Feb 11, 2011

Republicans Target Loan Guarantee Cuts

Republicans in the House of Representatives are proposing to slash $1.4 billion from the U.S. Department of Energy’s loan guarantee program as part of a plan to cut billions from this year’s federal budget.
Feb 11, 2011 -- by Brian Eckhouse

Raymond James Preps Geo Financing

Raymond James is readying a $184 million bond issue backing a geothermal plant in North America, said Jimmy Leung, a Toronto-based managing director at the Geothermal Energy Association’s Geothermal Energy Finance Forum 2011 in New York.
Feb 11, 2011

Icelandic JV Preps Advisory Shop

Hannon Armstrong Capital of Annapolis, Md., and Glacier Geothermal and Seafood Corp., a New York-based subsidiary of Icelandic bank Islandsbanki, have launched GeoBanc, a joint venture to advise geothermal sponsors on development and financing.
Feb 11, 2011

Drilling Risks Loom Large For Geo Financing

Geothermal financing is available, but investors remain wary of drilling risks, said multiple financiers, advisors and developers.
Feb 11, 2011

Congress Unlikely To Extend Grant Beyond 2011

Congress is unlikely to extend the U.S. Department of Treasury cash grant beyond its scheduled expiration of Dec. 31, attorneys and lobbyists said Feb. 9 at the Geothermal Energy Association’s Geothermal Energy Finance Forum in New York.

SNL Exnet's Power & Utilities M&A Symposium

Jan 26, 2011

TransCo. Sees Utility Status As Development Driver

Clean Line Energy Partners is applying for utility status make it easier to recover costs on its transmission projects and access rights to the land.
Jan 24, 2011

New Power Investors On The Horizon

Auto manufacturers and tech companies, like Cisco Systems and Google, are being tipped as likely power investors that move their products into the realm of energy efficiency or balancing.
Jan 26, 2011

Google Maps Pre-Construction Renewables Prowl

Google will consider making investments in pre-construction stage wind, solar or geothermal projects.
Jan 28, 2011

Direct Energy Eyes NatGas Buys In Northeast

Direct Energy is on the prowl for natural-gas fired generation acquisitions in the Northeast to support its demand requirements in the region.

Euromoney's 2nd Annual Canadian Power Financing Conference

Jan 21, 2011

SkyPower Targets $700M PV Funds

SkyPower will look to the project finance market for up to $720 million to support roughly one-fifth of its 1.2 GW solar photovoltaic pipeline in Ontario this year.
Jan 21, 2011

Solar Industry Cooperates For OPA Reqs

Developers, lenders and solar manufacturers are working together to meet local content requirements under the Ontario Power Authority's feed in tariff program and to ensure financing for projects.
Jan 21, 2011

Sea Breeze Takes Next Step On DOE Guarantee

Sea Breeze Power has filed the second part of its loan guarantee application with the U.S. Department of Energy.
Jan 21, 2011

OPA Preps NatGas Call

The Ontario Power Authority is planning to kick off a new request for proposals to ink power purchase agreements for up to 500 MW of generation.
Jan 21, 2011

Ontario Seeks Private Developers For Transmission

The Ontario Energy Board is inviting private companies to compete for the right to build a roughly $550 million transmission line.
Jan 21, 2011

Finavera Circles Equity

Finavera Renewables is close to locking in equity via a partner for a portion of its $800 million wind pipeline before targeting a debt financing.
Jan 19, 2011

Canada Loan Mart To Feel U.S. Demand

Canadian sponsors are not likely to find cheaper pricing this year because U.S. developers will be looking north of the border for lenders to finance a slew of projects, bankers said on a panel at Euromoney's 2nd Annual Canadian Power Finance conference in Toronto.