FEATURE / Renewable Energy
It is no secret that almost all GCC states are either implementing or seriously considering a restructuring of their energy generation and distribution regimes , resulting in brand new offtaker corporate vehicles or substantially rebalanced purchasers of power whose aggregate credit profile is well below their historic predecessors .” the question of risk vs reward should be self-policing – in other words , the developers and their financiers are not concluding these deals under duress ; they can say no .
While in the long run , that may be true , there may be inherent risks in the short to medium term . Invariably , in an environment where price is king , the sole focus of developers and contractors is on capex reduction . This might very well occur at the expense of technical quality . Solar panel modules and wind turbines are aggressively being selected on cost basis , with potentially decreasing focus on long term functionality and performance . Operation and maintenance budgets are being slashed , with construction contractors being negotiated to the bone , leaving absolutely no margin for error or risk . And consultants , including legal counsel , are being asked to sign off on positions which would ( just five years ago ) be categorised as unworkable .
Ironically , with all the cost saving going on , with one record breaking tariff after another , the future may well be more costly . The common saying , you get what you pay for , may well come true . Pursuing lowest costs will have to , at some point , result in reduction in quality . When that occurs ( if it hasn ’ t already ), the risk allocation regime governing the relevant deal ( s ) might well become the graveyard of overenthusiastic stakeholders who had departed from risk allocation fundamentals . In short , the bubble bursts , with potentially devastating effects on the market as a whole .
WHAT TO DO It is precisely when everyone is heading in the same direction that vigilance should be of paramount importance . We ( as lawyers ) cannot influence the technology or procurement quality . What we can influence , however , is the terms under which the deals are struck and to what extent risks are shared or absorbed . This might sound self-serving , but rigorous legal review and appreciation for regional IPP models is more important than ever , particularly as everyone begins to talk about “ cookie cutter ” and “ rinse and repeat ” deals . This is precisely when risks are unfairly absorbed and then incrementally compounded in subsequent deals
However , there are several key points that we frequently advise our clients to follow , because appreciating these fundamentals will usually be the difference between informed commercial decisions and blind faith :
» The long-term credibility of the offtaker is important . Consider credit default mitigants , but do cut through the noise and understand your counterparty . » IPP risk allocation is routed in insurance . It ’ s a fair distribution of risk , which has worked for decades . Departing from this principal is both unnecessary and unreasonable . » Procurers are usually far more prepared to negotiate than they may appear . Although there is a fine line between being uncommercial and legally astute , rebranding sloppy legal work and negotiations for “ commercial ” is dangerous . » Don ’ t just consider redlines of project documents against precedent deals . Instead , understand the underlying risks and consider your ability to absorb or mitigate those risks . What a lot of developers take for granted is that the risk allocation regime in precedent transactions isn ’ t always neatly contained in a project document , such as the PPA . Frequently , specific risk shortcomings are cured by the parties “ offline ” through ( for example ) side letters or “ interpretation provisions ” in direct agreements which ultimately amend the underlying documents . These type of changes do not reflect in redlines . » Use good lawyers ! Again , may sound self-serving , but legal counsels are the architects of your deal . What is the use of spending a billion Dollars on a house only for it to be unliveable due to bad design . Similarly in the context of IPPs , it definitely pays to buy quality legal advice .
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Text by : 1 . ANDREJ KORMUTH , partner , Bracewell 2 . SHAYAN NAJIB , associate , Bracewell
16 ISSUE 104 • JULY - AUGUST 2021