Financing Renewable Energy Projects in a Post Credit Crunch Environment

The workshop will assist developers, investors and lenders in their understanding of how best to develop and implement renewable energy projects in such a way as to remove or avoid issues and risks which can adversely affect a project’s ability to secure debt and equity finance. The current economic situation has increased the challenges facing the financing of projects and with only the highest quality projects currently securing finance there are many ways in which projects can be technically and commercially improved and so increase the attractiveness of the project to investors and lenders. SgurrEnergy has provided invaluable advice on a number of high profile acquisitions, investment deals and project finance deals throughout 2008 and is therefore well placed to discuss actual issues affecting all parties involved in financing and delivering renewable energy projects against a backdrop of global economic challenges.

ABOUT YOUR WORKSHOP LEADER

Simon Luby holds a MEng degree in Mechanical Engineering from Strathclyde University , Glasgow , and is a Corporate Member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. His specialisation is in the technical and economic development and review of renewable power generation schemes. Simon’s most recent assignments include leading our lenders engineer teams for several different UK and European offshore and onshore wind farms including the high profile Havsnas transaction in Sweden and leading our offshore lenders engineer teams for Borkum West II, Lynn & Inner Dowsing and Thanet. Since joining SgurrEnergy in September 2007 he has led over 30 major lenders engineer and acquisition due diligence assignments. Prior to joining SgurrEnergy Simon led the lenders engineer team for the Thornton Bank offshore wind farm; only the second (and last) such project to gain project financing. He has considerable experience of leading and undertaking due diligence of renewable energy projects on behalf of lenders and investors, with particular expertise in design and contract reviews. Over half of his 12 year career has been spent on undertaking and leading major due diligence assignments on energy projects. Simon regularly provides advice and support to a wide range of clients on project development and financing risks, including presentations at major conferences such as REFF, EWEC and GWEC.