Proximocast: Industry news

30 July - Davenport Diamond rail grade separation contract awarded

In the news:
Infrastructure Ontario and Metrolinx have awarded a $175 million Canadian fixed-price contract to design, build and finance the Davenport Diamond Rail Grade Separation project, part of Metrolinx's GO Rail Expansion program
Engie has been awarded a 25-year government contract to set up and operate a 29MW biomass heating plant in Pamplona, Spain
Argentinian energy company YPF Energia Electrica has issued $400 million in 7-year notes after receiving strong interest for its placement.

29 July - EU approves French offshore wind FiTs

In the news:
Greenko Energy Holdings, backed by sovereign wealth funds GIC Holdings and Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, has raised $950 million from the sale of certified green bonds.
The Namibian utility NamPower is planning to install 220MW of renewable capacity by 2023 to reduce the country's dependence on imported electricity.
The European Commission has found French support in the form of 20 year feed in tariffs for six offshore wind farms in French territorial waters to be in line with EU State aid rules.
 

25 July - Italy sets dates for seven renewables auctions

In today's news:
Argentine thermal and renewable energy producer Genneia SA has secured the financing for the 151MW Puerto Madryn II wind project, the second stage of the 222-MW Parque Eolico Madryn complex.
Law firm White & Case has added Armando Rivera Jacobo as a partner in its Global Project Development and Finance Practice in New York.
Italy has set the dates for seven renewable energy auctions as part of a €5.4 billion plan to meet EU-mandated renewable energy targets.
The Ecuadorian government is expecting to allocate 500MW of wind, solar and mini hydropower capacity in an auction at the end of July.

24 July - US Solar Fund makes first acquisition

In the news:
IFM Investors has joined for a bid for MIRA’s 51% controlling stake in Hobart Airport.
  The UK’s Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has released a wave of new energy-related policy proposals.
US Solar Fund (USF) is making its first acquisition – the 128MWdc Milford Solar Project in Utah from Longroad Energy Partners.

23 July - Falck buys into Sicilian solar project

In the news:
Sirius Minerals is starting a market campaign to raise its 500 million dollar bond in London this upcoming Friday July 26th, which will need to be completed by September 2019.
Innogy and financial adviser MUFG are said to be in initial talks with banks for financing for the 325MW Kaskasi offshore wind project in Germany.
Falck Renewables has signed a preliminary agreement with Canadian Solar Group for the purchase of a 70% stake in Big Fish SPV, the owner of a 195MW Sicilian solar development project.

22 July - Hann resigns from CIB after just 10 months

In today's news: 
Concesionaria Vial Unión del Sur – a consortium comprising Sacyr (60%) and Herdoiza Crespo (40%) – has reached financial close on the COP2.3 trillion ($740 million) 80 km Pasto-Rumichaca 4G toll road in Colombia.
Blackstone has reached final close on its inaugural fundraising phase for its first open-ended infrastructure fund – Blackstone Infrastructure Partners (BIP). Closing brings total commitments for BIP to $14 billion.
I Squared Capital, through its ISQ Global Infrastructure Fund II, has invested $460 million in convertible equities in Venture Global LNG.
Nicholas Hann confirms he has resigned from his role as head of investments at Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) after just 10 months in the job.

18 July - GE and BlackRock launch new solar and storage developer

In today's news:
General Electric and BlackRock Real Assets have launched a new solar and storage developer – Distributed Solar Development (DSD).
Two leading partners have departed London-based independent infrastructure fund manager Arcus Infrastructure Partners.
Aventron has signed a 5 year PPA with Statkraft for its 50MWp Bargas solar project in Spain from start of operations in July 2020.
Cameroon Railways (Camrail) has signed a $13 million US Exim-backed loan to finance the procurement of four diesel-electric locomotives from Wabtec Corporation.
 

17 July - Argentina announces 31 new renewables projects for 'RenoVar' programme

In today's news:
Bulgaria’s Transport Ministry selects surprise winners of the 35-year Sofia Airport concession.
Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners’ (CIP) is refinancing the 42MW Templeborough biomass project in the UK.
Argentina’s Secretariat of Energy has announced that 31 renewable energy projects have qualified for the Ronda 3 phase of its RenovAR programme.
Queensland Airports, operator of Gold Coast Airport raises green loan to fund redevelopment of the airport and double its terminal size.
New BNDES CEO Gustsavo Montezano announces sale of over $26bn worth of BNDES assets and that the bank will pay back BRL126 billion in debt to the Brazillian government by the end of 2019.