European Report
European Report 2007
Rays of expensive hope: Renewable energy is now one of Europe’s busiest project financing sectors. Wind may have been a driving force in recent years but solar is now coming under the spotlight.
Winds of opportunity
A gust of lucrative wind projects is blowing financiers in Europe eastwards, towards Greece, Turkey and Bulgaria and Romania. By Greg Roumeliotis.
Gust of honour
Wind power may have been presented as a saviour against carbon emissions, but will the renewable source be able to reach its full potential in key second-tier markets such as Italy? By Antony Collins.
Tirme for a change
Jose Maria Arana, head of project finance RBS Iberia, and Gabriel Saro, director, loan markets, RBS, explain the innovative and pioneering Tirme project financing.
Nickel and dimes
Talvivaaran Mining Company Ltd (Talvivaara) is an exploration and development company focused on the development and commercial exploitation of two polymetallic deposits, Kuusilampi and Kolmisoppi, in Sotkamo, Eastern Finland through 80% owned project company Talvivaara Project Ltd.
Route 1 – In the fast lane
The Tel Aviv Fast Lane project will be based on an innovative and unique dynamic toll system, designed to manage vehicle traffic demand on an ongoing basis. By Daniel Zinger, founding partner, TASC Strategic Consulting.
Path to Maliakos Kleidi
The €1.1bn Maliakos to Kleidi PPP is one of Greece’s top motorway schemes and represents one of the largest road deals to be successfully financed this year in Europe. Jeremy Brittenden, partner, and Christopher Healy, senior associate, from Lovells discuss the project.
Turkish port deals ahoy
The US$755m privatisation of Mersin Port is only one of the deals coming up as result of the country’s privatisation plan. By Greg Roumeliotis.
The final chapter, hopefully
The late Sir Alastair Morton always said Eurotunnel would become a profitable cash cow. Well yes, but perhaps albeit a little later than he envisaged. The company's debt has now been restructured in one of the biggest infra deals of the year. By Rod Morrison.
Model council BSF signed in
Sheffield BSF reached financial close on July 31 2007, the 10th BSF scheme to close since this government initiative was launched. By Laughlan Waterston and Theodore Rohou, Infrastructure and PPP, SMBC, with input from Andrew Percival, Taylor Woodrow, Geoff Quaife, HSBC, and Laurence Jones, Sheffield City Council.
The infra market in CEE
Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) mainly comprises countries that were governed by the COMECON regime until around 1990. It includes Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Bulgaria and several Balkan States (Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia). By Stefan Eder, partner and EMEA Head of Finance & Projects Group at DLA Piper.
