Financing Renewable Energy

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 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.

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
o How to prepare
o What to expect at each stage
o Recent examples of how renewable projects have overcome challenges

Key Issues for Renewable Energy Transactions:

* Risks: identifying, understanding and managing them
o The different perspectives on risk: financiers vs. project developers
o Dealing with political upheavals and changing legislation
o Managing contractual risks
o Technology risk - making a convincing case
o Completion - whose responsibility?
* Practical issues
o 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"
o An interactive case study based on recent, real transactions in the market
o Applying the information in the previous sessions to a set of facts
o Identifying key issues from a financier's perspective and how best to deal with these
o Illustrating how unexpected changes in law, contracts, technologies or other factors can be dealt with