Green Energy & Infrastructure

Recent Developments

Infrastructure projects are usually very large, complex and capital-intensive projects and transactions involving the financing of new infrastructure projects (greenfield) or the purchase/sale or implementation of renewal/growth programmes for existing infrastructure facilities (brownfield). In addition, particularly in the case of new technologies, capital raising is used to realise the first expansion stage of a major project.

The successful advancement of project plans, from conceptual designs to detailed implementation steps through to successful realisation, forms the basis of a successful infrastructure project.

Our financing objective is to combine the characteristic features of infrastructure financing, such as stable cash flows and attractive risk-return premiums with relatively low default rates and strong ESG characteristics with long-term maturities and high resilience to GDP fluctuations, and to successfully raise debt, hybrid and equity tranches (commercial/non-commercial) and structure and implement them into viable financing solutions.

Success factors here are, in particular, excellent knowledge of the market availability and characteristics of debt, hybrid and equity instruments, a high level of structuring expertise with many years of financing experience and, in particular, a strong European and global network of investors, capital and financing partners and other stakeholders.

Infrastructure and green energy projects are large-scale, complex and very capital-intensive. The areas are diverse and cover many industries and econ…

Infrastructure and green energy projects are large-scale, complex and very capital-intensive. The areas are diverse and cover many industries and economic sectors, whereby each individual project is characterised by great complexity, a large number of parties involved, many risk factors and long time cycles.

We provide support in the preparation and realisation of transactions in a wide variety of areas. In addition to advising on the purchase/sale of existing infrastructure assets (brownfield transactions), we also place a strong focus on new projects, so-called greenfield projects, where we provide you with efficient advice on the preparation, acquisition and implementation of financing/capital instruments and actively support you from the first expansion stage through to industrial expansion.

A special structural feature of project financing is that it is linked to a single, specific project - for example, the construction of a solar park, …

A special structural feature of project financing is that it is linked to a single, specific project - for example, the construction of a solar park, wind farm or the construction of a production/industrial plant for green hydrogen, green steel, etc.. This means that only the income and cash flows generated from the project can be used to service the interest/debt service and the return claims of the equity investors. Essentially, the financed project must be self-sustaining through the income/cash flow generated later.

The in-depth analysis and evaluation of projects and risks as well as corresponding marketable financing options play a key role in project financing …

The in-depth analysis and evaluation of projects and risks as well as corresponding marketable financing options play a key role in project financing - in addition to the many technical challenges and assessment of the competitive/procurement/sales markets, for example for offtake agreements. The projects have a very long-term planning and realisation period. Our role is to advise and act as a reliable long-term partner with a combination of financing expertise, market knowledge and a European and global network of contacts.

Trends

In the coming years, significant investments are expected in economic infrastructure facilities in Europe and worldwide, such as in energy, water, transport, communication, data centres and the decarbonisation of entire industries (especially steel, cement and aviation).

The economic challenges in the energy sector are characterised along the entire value chain by numerous green energy projects (wind, PV, hydropower, hydrogen) for energy production including transport, distribution and storage as well as the very high efforts to reduce the carbon footprint of the entire industry, a mammoth task for society, politics and the economy.

Important global megatrends can be highlighted for infrastructure projects, including capital consolidation, ESG, availability of private capital to close the financing gap and global growth beyond the industrialised countries and the emergence of new regional markets. Another megatrend with an impact on the infrastructure sector is digital infrastructure, for example as part of the development from Industry 3.0 (automated production steps using robots) to Industry 4.0 (autonomous systems using smart factories and the Internet of Things), which results in a significant need for digital infrastructure - for example in the form of fibre optic networks, data centres and mobile phone masts.

Projects in these areas are generally characterised by high to very high risks, the use of new technologies, the partial lack of market prices in submarkets, for example in the case of new CO2-neutral products, through to geopolitical global risks for demand and supply chains, planning uncertainties and high capital requirements.

We are happy to support you in the planning and implementation of your green energy & infrastructure projects, starting with the initial analysis, structuring, preparation and approaching of capital/financing partners with the aim of raising and securing the capital structure and financing instruments (equity/hybrid & debt capital; commercial & non-commercial).