Zimbabwe rail PPPs mooted
The National Railways of Zimbabwe is seeking private firms to engage in PPPs to upgrade its infrastructure. Around US$2bn is required in the long-term and US$400m upfront. The NRZ network stretches over 2,760kms and last year transported 3.7m tonnes of freight against a target of six million tonnes. Private firms have previously been selected to upgrade locomotives.
Top Stories
Virginia court ruling threatens P3
A surprise ruling on a major project under construction threatens the future of tolled projects not sanctioned by voters in one of the most active and advanced US P3 states. By Alison Healey.
A lukewarm response
Thailand’s Office of Energy Regulatory Commission has received nine bids in its latest IPP bidding exercise, six years since the last one. The response was good, but below expectations. By Minerva Lau.
German offshore slowly coming back
Three months after the signing of the last German offshore wind project finance deal – Butendiek – a number of sponsors are attempting to bring other projects back to life. But grid connection and risk issues continue to affect the market, and investors and banks are cautious. By Stefano Berra.
Features
FLNG projects gain momentum
The recent announcement that Woodside Petroleum and Shell are considering using the US$12bn floating LNG technology for their Browse gas field off the coast of Western Australia, rather than a US$35bn onshore facility, is a predictable sign of the times. By John Arbouw.
Contour goes where the Humboldt flows
In Peru, the wind blows along the country’s long Pacific Coast, creating a perfect spot for wind farms. There, the cold ocean flow, called the Humboldt Current, goes from the bottom of Chile to the top of Peru, creating the wind that would turn the turbines. Therefore, OPIC and ContourGlobal decided this was the perfect spot for two farms, called the Humboldt wind project. By Alan Gersten.
Global Infrastructure 2012
The Global Infrastructure financing market continues to present significant opportunities with new markets opening up all the time. One interesting example of the phenomena is in France and Canada. Now the large French rail deals have been awarded, Canada is upping its interest in the sector and starting to offer some new mega deals to the market. The lessons learned on the French deals is being utilised in Canada.
