Financing Renewable Energy Transactions
Note: The course can be attended as a stand-alone session or as part of a combination of courses during Green Power Week.
Course Objective
For those interested in developing projects in the renewable energy sector, the challenges of obtaining financing can be particularly daunting – new technology and dynamic legislative environments can make financiers wary; and the credit crunch has posed its own problems. This interactive course introduces the various types of financing available for renewable energy projects, the opportunities (and risks) that arise, and ensures that your project development is fully prepared to best obtain financing.
This course has been specifically designed for Green Power Academy by Colbha Consulting, a legal and business consultancy with more than ten years’ experience advising on project development and financing energy sector transactions throughout Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
Style
Please note that this course will be run in an informal manner which allows and encourages time for discussion and questions. An important part of the course is an interactive case study which allows attendees to put into practice the principles discussed.
Timing
Course begins: 09:00
Course ends: 17:00
Green Power Academy
The Green Power Academy has been established to provide the quality, impartial, informative and enjoyable training needed to increase and distribute knowledge and skills to green energy industry professionals. www.greenpoweracademy.com
Colbha Consulting was established by Mary Walsh, a lawyer with ten years experience advising on the development and financing of energy projects throughout the world. Mary has previously worked for a leading US law firm in their Energy, Infrastructure and Project Finance team and as senior counsel for a FTSE 100 energy company. She has an extensive knowledge of project development challenges, the requirements of financial institutions and an astute commercial appreciation of the issues involved.
Colbha Consulting advises companies operating the renewable energy and low carbon sectors, providing clear, concise and commercial advice to those entering this dynamic market. www.colbhaconsulting.com
Agenda Details
Introduction and Background:
- An introduction to the renewable energy landscape
- The legislative background and political challenges
- An outline of the various types of financing available for renewable energy projects
- The anatomy of a financing transaction
- How to prepare
- What to expect at each stage
- Recent examples of how renewable projects have overcome challenges
Key Issues for Renewable Energy Transactions:
- Risks: identifying, understanding and managing them
- The different perspectives on risk: financiers vs. project developers
- Dealing with political upheavals and changing legislation
- Managing contractual risks
- Technology risk – making a convincing case
- Completion – whose responsibility?
- Practical issues
- Planning, supplies and resources
- Building a team
- Building your company structure
- Effective negotiations, including land agreements, construction contracts and PPAs
Financing Documentation
- Introducing key financing documents
- Key terms and conditions
- Managing the process
- Involving the key players
Theory in Practice – INTERACTIVE CASE STUDY
- Introduction of “Renew Co Wind Farm Financing”
- An interactive case study based on recent, real transactions in the market
- Applying the information in the previous sessions to a set of facts
- Identifying key issues from a financier’s perspective and how best to deal with these
- Illustrating how unexpected changes in law, contracts, technologies or other factors can be dealt with
New days, new challenges
- Trends and developments
- Looking to the future – what to expect, how to be prepared