The year 2013 is expected to usher in a new wave of investment in the global electricity transmission industry. Rising demand for power, increasing use of intermittent renewable energy resources and greater attention to grid reliability and security of supply are driving investments in the development of new transmission infrastructure. While it is acknowledged that some of these needs can be met by deploying new technologies to improve ageing assets, new transmission infrastructure is still required to provide avenues for transport of power, and thus reduce congestion and increase competition.

Stringent regulations and high cost of capital have often been cited as the two major barriers to transmission expansion. However, the adoption of explicit regulatory and policy initiatives aimed at stimulating investment in many countries and the declining cost of capital in the financial markets now offer the potential to reshape the global transmission landscape. Traditional electricity utilities are developing focused transmission plans. Private equity investors are showing more interest in transmission businesses. Infrastructure and pension funds are beginning to target the transmission sector. International funding and development institutions are widening their scope to include transmission proposals. Joint ventures are being forged to develop large-scale projects. Independent transmission companies and merchant transmission developers are stepping in to provide the necessary impetus. New business strategies are being designed by both traditional and nontraditional players to invest in transmission expansion.

In this context, Global Transmission Research is organising its second conference on “Transmission Finance” on March 18-19, 2013, at Grosvenor House (a JW Marriot Hotel) in London, UK. The objective of the conference is to understand the requirements and challenges of the next wave of transmission development and evaluate the potential options and strategies to finance this infrastructure. The conference will feature several case studies from leading transmission system operators and utilities on recent financings in both developed and developing economies.

The conference will provide an opportunity to assess the needs and requirements of new transmission infrastructure and identify potential solutions to finance this expansion. It will also present a platform for advocating regulatory and market changes that can stimulate investment in the electricity transmission industry.

Global Transmission Research organised its first conference on “Transmission Finance” in March 2012 at Grosvenor House, London, UK. The conference was attended by over 60 senior-level executives from leading organisations across the world. The participating organisations included Alstom Grid, Amprion GmbH, Brattle Group, Bundesnetzagentur (Germany regulator), Columbia Wagner Asset Management, Credit Agricole, EirGrid, Energinet.dk, Elia Group, European Commission, European Consulting, Fitch Ratings, Frontier Economics, Frontier Power, FTI Consulting, Google, HSBC Bank, ISOLUX CORSAN, KETRACO (Kenya), Litgrid, London Economics International, Louvain School of Management, Macquarie Capital, MAVIR (Hungary), NERA Economic Consulting, Nkt Cables, Ofgem (Britain’s energy regulator), Parker Hannifin Europe, Parsons Brinckerhoff, Power Line Africa, Poyry Capital, Poyry Management Consulting, RTE, SBI Capital Markets, Siemens, Skadden, Sterlite Technologies (India), TANESCO (Tanzania), The Advisory House, Tractebel Engineering, Transmission Partners, UMS Group, Ventyx, White & Case, and Wits University (South Africa).

Key benefits to participants

The one-and-a-half-day conference will have focused sessions and discussions to:

  • Analyse the requirements of the global transmission industry
  • Ascertain what to expect from leading transmission players in 2013
  • Identify the regulatory and policy issues impacting transmission expansion
  • Understand the effects of cost allocation and pricing methods on transmission expansion and financing
  • Examine recent trends in transmission financings, and review traditional financing methods and emerging options
  • Learn from the experiences of transmission system operators in financing transmission projects
  • Understand lenders’ viewpoints on transmission financing
  • Gain insight into the transmission asset valuation process and practices
  • Discover innovative ways to finance cross-border transmission projects
  • Assess merchant transmission models as opportunities to overcome financing obstacles
  • Examine how renewable energy development impacts the associated transmission financing

March 18, 2013

Session Time Topics Key Questions to be Addressed
  8:00-9:00 Registration and tea/coffee
Introduction 9:00-9:05 Introduction to the conference
Needs and Requirements for Transmission Financing 9:05-9:30 Needs of and requirements for financing new electricity transmission How much investment is expected to be made in electricity transmission infrastructure across the globe over the next 10 years? How will this expansion be financed?
Regulatory and Policy Issues 9:30-10:30 Impact of changing regulatory and policy frameworks on transmission financing What are the implications of regulatory and policy decisions on transmission financing? What incentives can aid transmission project financing? What initiatives can expedite the approval process and lower costs? What does ownership and operational unbundling imply for transmission financing? How are newly restructured entities coping with financing challenges?
Cost allocation and transmission pricing issues How can contentious cost allocation issues be resolved? What are the efficient models of transmission pricing in a liberalising environment? What are the learnings for developing economies?
10:30-10:45 Q&A with the Panel
Break 10:45-11:00 Tea/Coffee break
Trends in Transmission Financings 11:00-11:30 Trends in transmission infrastructure financings What are the emerging sources of financing – IPOs, bonds, infrastructure funds, pension funds? What are the key factors in financing decisions?
Project showcase What are the learnings from a recently financed transmission project?
Financing New Transmission Infrastructure: TSOs’ Perspectives 11:30-12:45 TSO position and perspectives What has been the experience of, and issues faced by, TSOs in financing transmission projects? What are the learnings for new transmission system operators?
Case study (developed markets) What are the learnings from a recent transmission financing deal in a developed electricity market (for example, Europe, USA, Australia)?
Case study (developing markets) What are the learnings from a recent transmission financing deal in a developing market (for example, Africa, Asia)?
12:45-13:00 Q&A with the Panel
Break 13:00-14:00 Lunch
Financing New Transmission Infrastructure: Lenders’ Perspectives 14:00–15:30 Support from multilateral funding and development institutions What drives transmission financing by these agencies in Europe and in developing economies?
Private equity and commercial bankers’ perspectives What are the challenges perceived by private investors under the changing transmission sector structure? What are they looking for? What is their outlook on transmission financing?
Asset valuation for funding by private FIs What are the key parameters in transmission business valuation? What do lenders seek?
15:30-15:45 Q&A and Discussion with the Panel
Break 15:45-16:00 Tea/Coffee break
Financing Cross-border Transmission 16:00–17:15 Key issues and emerging options What are the key issues in funding cross-border and regional electricity interconnections? How can these be resolved? What financing options are available?
European Union’s initiatives in funding key interconnector projects What is the European Commission doing to aid the funding of key projects? What are the learnings for other countries?
Case study (Europe) What innovative ways are there to finance cross-border transmission infrastructure?
Case study (Africa) What is being done to enhance regional energy cooperation in emerging economies? How are cross-border projects being financed? What are the key challenges and how can these be overcome?
17:15-17:30 Q&A and Discussion with the Panel
  17:30 Close of Day 1
  17:30–19:00 Cocktails and Networking

Day 2

March 19, 2013

Session Time Topics Key Questions to be Addressed
  8:00-9:00 Networking and Tea/Coffee
Recap of Day 1 9:00-9:10 Recap of Day 1 and introduction to
Day 2 agenda
Relevance of Merchant Transmission 9:10–10:30 Relevance of merchant transmission under changing industry structures How relevant is the merchant transmission model for Europe and developing countries? Under what market structures will merchant transmission models work in these economies? What are the learnings for these economies?
Case study (USA)
Q&A with the Panel
Break 10:30–10:45 Tea/Coffee Break
Financing Transmission Expansion for Renewables 10:45–11:45 Integrating renewable resources and their impact on transmission financing How are renewables affecting transmission financing structures and costs? What needs to be done to enable financing of transmission infrastructure needed to grid-integrate intermittent wind and solar energy generation projects?
Case studies What are the learnings for other TSOs in emerging economies?
Financing Transmission for Offshore Renewables 11:45–12:45 Financing transmission for offshore renewables How is transmission infrastructure for grid-integration of offshore renewable energy projects being financed? What needs to be done to aid the development of transmission links for offshore renewable energy generation projects?
Case studies What are the learnings for other TSOs in emerging economies?
12:45–13:10 Q&A with the Panel
Break 13:10–14:00 Lunch
  14:00 Close of Day 2

The confirmed speakers include:

  • Dr Catharina Sikow-Magny, Head of Unit, European Commission, DG Energy
  • Michaelangelo CelozziM, Secretary General of Med TSO (led by Terna)
  • Otto Jager, Group Treasurer, TenneT
  • Dr Frank-Peter Hansen, Bundernetzagentur (BNetzA), Germany
  • Tara Davies, Managing Director, Maquarie Group
  • Rene Eschemann , Director of Regional Office, KfW
  • Katharine C. Baragona, Sr. Infrastructure Finance Specialist, The World Bank
  • Phil Proctor, Energy Technologies Institute, UK
  • Emmanouela Angelidake, Senior Manager, European Strategy, OFGEM
  • Lewis Dale, Regulatory Strategy Manager, NGT UK
  • Chris Veal, Managing Director, Transmission Investment LLP
  • Andy Clapp, Investment Director, Barclays Infrastructure Fund
  • Shawn Carraher, Managing Consultant, London Economics International
  • Dr Eckart Lindwedel, Senior Principal, Poyry Management Consulting

For speaking opportunities, please contact:

Jyoti Suri
Global Transmission Report
Email: jyoti.suri@globaltransmission.info
Tel: +27-82-8307274

Global Transmission Research is a leading provider of information and analysis on the global electricity transmission industry. We publish newsletters and reports. We also organise conferences on crucial issues and topical themes relevant for the transmission industry.

We publish the Global Transmission Report (a monthly newsletter) and Global Transmission Weekly (a weekly update). We also operate the website www.globaltransmission.info. These products and services provide information on all the key developments, trends and issues in the sector. They track major projects, contracts and investments. They profile leading transmission system operators and report on regulatory initiatives. They also provide the latest data and statistics on the sector.

We recently published a report titled Global Electricity Transmission Report, which profiles the electricity generation and transmission sectors of the top 101 countries. This report describes the existing state of, and the expected growth in, the electricity industries of these countries in terms of generation and transmission capacity. It briefly examines the major regulatory, technological and financing developments and trends over the past few years. It also analyses the key growth drivers and challenges, and assesses the outlook for the global transmission industry.

We have organised successful conferences in Brussels and London on several topical issues including Transmission Finance and Grid-Scale Energy Storage. These conferences received a strong response from speakers and delegates.

Our clients include leading organisations across the world such as EU GIG OU, ABB, Siemens, Alstom, GE Energy, Tractebel Engineering, ESB International, State Grid International Development, International Energy Agency, European Investment Bank, Nexans, Bechtel, Mott MacDonald, Balfour Beatty, Poyry, Nexant, SNC-Lavallin, MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company, Maxwell Technologies, Power Grid Corporation of India Limited, Red Electrica de Espana, Terna, Elia, Reliance Energy, KEC International, Swissgrid, Brookfield, Statnett, Boston Consulting Group, El Sewedy Cables, National Contracting Company, Energinet, Energostroynaladka, CTEEP, EdF, Hyosung, AltaLink, Suez-Tractebel, MWB Shanghai, Xcel, Teshmont, Vattenfall, Dow Chemicals, Alberta Electric System Operator, AIC-USA, Hubbel Power Systems, Efacec Energia, ISA Interconexion Electrica, Israel Electric Co., Trade Wind, Hythro Power, BHP Billiton, Eskom, EFACEC, UB Engineering, PJM Interconnection, BKW FMB Energie AG, Thomas & Betts Corp, Fraunhofer-Institut fur Umwelt-, Sicherheits- und Energietechnik UMSICHT, Cardiff University, ABEINSA, European Commission (Institute of Energy and Transport), KEMA, Volta River Authority, etc.

The conference is expected to draw participation from:

  • Transmission grid operators/companies
  • Investment bankers, private equity investors, bankers, venture capitalists and other financiers
  • Credit rating agencies
  • Regulators and policymakers
  • Renewable energy developers
  • Equipment manufacturers and technology vendors
  • Research and development organisations and individuals
  • Technical institutes
  • Industry consultants
  • Industry lawyers

DELEGATE FEES

Delegates Price
(inclusive of VAT)
One delegate €1,500 or $1,950 or £1,200
Two delegates €2,700 or $3,510 or £2,160
Three delegates €3,900 or $5,070 or £3,120
Four delegates €5,100 or $6,630 or £4,080

(Fee includes lunch, tea/coffee on both days of the conference and cocktails on first evening.)

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Payment Policy

  • Full payment must be received prior to the conference. Payment can be made in Euro (€) or US dollars ($) or GBP (£).


Cancellations

  • Cancellations received in writing 30 days (February 18, 2013) before the date of the conference will receive a full refund, minus a service charge/administration fee of €150.
    We regret that no refunds will be made for any cancellations received less than 30 days prior to the conference.
  • Substitutions/name changes are welcome at no extra charge. Please send these in writing at least two days prior to the conference.


Disclaimer

  • Global Transmission shall assume no liability whatsoever in case the event is postponed or cancelled due to a fortuitous event or unforeseen occurrence that renders the performance of this conference impracticable, illegal or impossible. For purpose of this clause, a fortuitous event shall include, but not be limited to: war, fire, labour strike, extreme weather or other emergency. Global Transmission’s responsibility is limited to return of the registration fee only and is not liable for any cost in relation to travel and accommodation.
  • Please note that it may become necessary for reasons beyond the control of the organisers to make alterations to the content and timing of the programme or speakers.

To register, click here or send an email to registration@globaltransmission.info

Sponsorship (Limited to four organisations)*

This conference will provide an excellent opportunity for organisations to showcase their products and services. The deliverables include:

  • Two delegate registrations (full conference)
  • Table space at the conference
  • Distribution of sponsor promotional material to each delegate
  • Logo presence at the conference
  • Acknowledgement on conference website
  • A hyperlink to the organisation’s website
  • Speaker slot (If relevant, subject to approval of organisers)

 

For further information, please contact:
Ms Yasmeen Chopra
Global Transmission Report
Email: yasmeen.chopra@globaltransmission.info
Mobile: +91-9555437913

* Available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Grosvenor House, A JW Marriott Hotel
Park Lane, London
W1K 7TN United Kingdom

Lidia Scieszka | Groups & Events Coordinator | Grosvenor House, A JW Marriott Hotel
Park Lane | London | W1K 7TN | UK
Tel: +44(0) 207 399 8011 | Fax: +44(0) 207 399 8306
Email:lidia.scieszka@marriotthotels.com | Web: www.londongrosvenorhouse.co.uk

For registration and sponsorship opportunities, please contact:
Ms Yasmeen Chopra
Global Transmission Report
Email: yasmeen.chopra@globaltransmission.info
Mobile: +91-9555437913

For speaking opportunities, please contact:

Jyoti Suri
Global Transmission Report
Email: jyoti.suri@globaltransmission.info
Tel: +27-82-8307274

To register, email us to: registration@globaltransmission.info or visit us at www.globaltransmission.info