Infrastructure debt

Head of private markets Cecile Retaureau explains how the UK life and pensions firm is building its exposure to infrastructure finance. It is also adding to its private credit team.

Infra debt is facing an uncertain time but the long-term trend to energy transition bodes well for the asset class

A challenging fundraising environment last year was felt by infrastructure debt GPs, resulting in some re-shuffling but also the emergence of new entrants.

Lenders are increasingly recognising that strong interconnectivity and business resilience strategies will be key to infra investment going forward, say Ropes & Gray partners Paul Armstrong and Emmanuel Mimin and counsel Sean Darling.

Those looking to shield their projects from the increasing politicisation of the energy transition may just need to stick out the tougher rhetoric – or look to Europe for new opportunities.

As financial incentives and policies emerge to reduce barriers to industrial decarbonisation through carbon capture or hydrogen, more bespoke finance solutions are being sought.

Bluefield Partners’ investment manager Manuel Ortiz-Olave on the unique challenges renewables present and how asset owners can best prepare to engage with new lender prospects.

The growing market for energy and power solutions is creating opportunities for lenders that can bridge the funding gap, says Don Dimitrievich, senior managing director and portfolio manager in the Energy Infrastructure Credit group at Nuveen.

A special report on how infra debt investors shield their projects from the politicisation of the energy transition; Plus, expert comment from Nuveen and Ropes & Gray.