Energy Infrastructure Partners: Coordinating Development in Emerging Markets
In the shadow of the world’s megacities, 1.4 billion people still live without reliable electricity access, a stark reminder of the persistent divide between energy haves and have-nots (Jiao & Tan, 2024).
This energy poverty creates a cascade of challenges, from stunted economic growth to deepening gender inequality, as women in developing nations bear the heaviest burden of limited power access (Li et al., 2024).
This is mission critical… Our mission here is to say we need everybody… It’s not about us, it’s about those who are not here and we must listen and hear and make sure this is an action-driven summit… We can’t do Mickey Mouse business… We can’t have a situation where Africa does not have enough electricity.
Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina, President of AfDB, speaking at the recent Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit
The complexity of delivering power infrastructure in emerging markets demands a new approach: one where energy infrastructure partners collaborate to bridge technical expertise with local knowledge.
From the bustling markets of West Africa to the rapidly industrializing corridors of Southeast Asia, the hunger for electricity grows exponentially. Yet transforming this surging demand into functioning power infrastructure remains a formidable challenge, with financing gaps presenting the most significant hurdle (Calcaterra et al., 2024, pp. 1241–1251).
Recent studies underscore the complexity of energy access. Beyond funding, success requires carefully crafted strategies that embrace local communities through participatory planning and targeted support mechanisms (Jiao & Tan, 2024). At Global Infrastructure Advisors (GIA), we have witnessed firsthand how strategic energy infrastructure partnerships can bridge this gap. Operating from hubs in the UK and Morocco, our team has help secure over $2 billion in funding for power projects across emerging markets.
The research points to a clear need: addressing both the prohibitive upfront costs of renewable infrastructure and the policy frameworks that enable their adoption requires unprecedented levels of international collaboration and innovative financing solutions between energy infrastructure partners (Jiao & Tan, 2024).
With global investment in clean energy infrastructure projected to reach $4.2 trillion by 2030, the role of experienced partners in navigating these complex waters has never been more critical.
The Role of Energy Infrastructure Partners in Global Development
The development of sustainable energy infrastructure requires more than innovative technology—it demands strategic collaboration among diverse partners who bring specialized expertise to each project. The recent financial close on the 360 MW CCGT project in Senegal exemplifies the transformative power of well-orchestrated partnerships.
The Cap-de-Biches project’s success hinged on seamless coordination across multiple partners. Environmental specialists conducted the ESIA to protect local communities and ecosystems. Legal teams drafted the PPA and concession agreements to ensure long-term project viability. Financial institutions provided essential risk mitigation instruments and capital support. Engineering and construction partners delivered technically sound solutions backed by comprehensive studies.
As the lead financial advisor, GIA supported these partnerships to prevent delays and facilitate efficient project completion.
An advisors’ role extends far beyond off-the-shelf services—we create connections that transform ambitious infrastructure plans into operational reality.
This focus proves particularly valuable in emerging markets, where the need for energy infrastructure continues to grow.
GIA bridges critical gaps by structuring bankable projects that attract international investors, developing market-specific financing solutions and implementing sustainable frameworks for project success. Our focus remains on delivering both strong economic returns and meaningful social impact. The foundation of these returns in infrastructure development lies in selecting the right partners.
Whether working with development banks, private equity funds, EPC contractors, or government agencies, GIA selects the right partners to align with project requirements.
Trends and Market Dynamics – Shifting Energy Infrastructure
The global energy landscape is experiencing its most dramatic transformation since the industrial revolution.
In 2024, a watershed moment approaches as clean energy investments are poised to dominate the sector, with global energy investments expected to surge past USD 3 trillion. Of this, an unprecedented USD 2 trillion is earmarked specifically for clean energy technologies and infrastructure (Cao & Zhang, 2024; Ibrić et al., 2024).
This investment surge marks a historic turning point: for the first time, spending on renewable energy technologies – from solar arrays to wind farms and advanced storage systems – will outstrip investments in traditional fossil fuel infrastructure (Cao & Zhang, 2024; Ibrić et al., 2024). The implications extend far beyond environmental benefits. In Canada, comprehensive panel data analysis reveals that renewable energy investments are becoming a powerful engine for job creation across multiple sectors (Cao & Zhang, 2024). Meanwhile, the green bond market has exploded in Europe, reaching USD 341 billion in 2023 – more than half the global total (Ibrić et al., 2024).
Technology as Enabler
A few key example technological innovations accelerating this transformation:
Smart Grids
Smart grid technology is revolutionizing electricity distribution through sophisticated digital communication and control systems. These intelligent networks provide real-time monitoring of energy flows, enhancing grid resilience and enabling seamless integration of renewable energy sources (Meng, 2023; Nzeanorue & Okpala, 2024). The impact is particularly striking in emerging markets, where smart grids are helping leapfrog traditional infrastructure limitations.
Storage Solutions
Energy storage technology is rapidly advancing, with innovations in lithium-ion and flow batteries addressing renewable energy’s inherent variability (He et al., 2024; Rakhimov et al., 2024). Industry projections paint an ambitious picture: by 2050, the demand for long-duration energy storage systems is expected to reach 1.25 TW and 5 TWh (Guarnieri, 2024) – enough capacity to power entire regions through renewable energy alone.
The Move to Electrification
A massive shift toward electrification is underway, encompassing everything from personal vehicles to industrial processes (Cao & Zhang, 2024; Ibrić et al., 2024). This transformation is complemented by advances in carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) technologies, offering new hope for hard-to-decarbonize sectors.
The synergy between electrification and renewable energy is particularly powerful in developing nations, where decentralized renewable solutions have achieved remarkable results: improving energy access rates by over 80% while reducing household energy costs by more than 30% (Jiao & Tan, 2024).
Efficiency, Assurance and Savings – What Energy Infrastructure Partners Bring To a Project
Collaborating with energy infrastructure partners offers several key benefits that can significantly enhance the development and implementation of energy projects:
Specialised expertise
Energy projects involve challenges like navigating regulations, ensuring technical feasibility and securing funding. For instance, in a 2022 solar energy project in Morocco, legal advisors ensured compliance with renewable energy laws, helping the project avoid delays caused by permit issues (IRENA, 2022). EPC contractors introduced prefabricated solar assemblies, reducing installation time by 20% (World Bank, 2023).
Foresight in risk management
Collaborating with energy infrastructure partners is critical for mitigating risks such as regulatory changes, market volatility and unexpected project challenges. For example, partnerships with financial institutions often include hedging strategies that reduce exposure to currency fluctuations, a common issue in cross-border energy projects (IEA, 2021).
Improved efficiency and quality-cost-balanced delivery
Collaboration streamlines energy project delivery. For instance, a rural electrification initiative in Sub-Saharan Africa used local EPC contractors specializing in modular microgrids. This approach reduced installation time by six months and saved $1.2M in operational costs (IRENA, 2022). In another case, working with development banks allowed clients to secure low-interest financing, reallocating resources to expand project reach (World Bank, 2023).
Energy Infrastructure Partners – Challenges and Solutions
Energy infrastructure projects, particularly in emerging markets, often encounter several challenges that require strategic solutions:
Regulatory uncertainties
One of the main obstacles in energy infrastructure projects is dealing with frequent changes in policies and regulations, which create uncertainty and can deter investment. In regions where policy frameworks are unclear, delays in permitting and approvals for renewable energy projects often occur. For example, studies show that inconsistent regulatory environments in emerging markets have led to costly setbacks, making it harder for clean energy investments to progress smoothly (World Economic Forum, 2021)
Complex stakeholder requirements
Another significant challenge is balancing the interests of various stakeholders, including governments, local communities and investors.
This can lead to delays, cost overruns and conflicts. In many cases, local opposition arises due to concerns about environmental impact, forcing project developers to invest time in engaging communities and negotiating solutions. Research shows that projects with effective stakeholder engagement strategies are 25% more likely to succeed (Global Infrastructure Hub, 2020).
Technical implementation
Implementing advanced technologies, such as renewable energy systems, in regions with limited existing infrastructure is another major challenge.
For example, integrating solar or wind energy into aging power grids often requires significant investments in modern grid technologies like energy storage and smart grid systems to ensure stability. Without these upgrades, the variability of renewable inputs can cause power interruptions and efficiency issues, making it difficult to maintain reliable electricity supply (S&P Global, 2022).
According to the Global Infrastructure Hub (2021), much of the investment required will come from emerging markets, which face significant gaps in capital that could widen unless more innovative financing solutions—like green bonds or blended finance—are widely adopted.
Innovative solutions
Finding better ways to build energy projects means thinking differently about how we work together and fund these vital initiatives:
Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) – Intricate but powerful
When public and private sectors join forces, great things happen. Research from the African Development Bank shows that projects with strong advisory support are much more likely to succeed (World Economic Forum, 2024).
Blending different types of funding
Just as a healthy investment portfolio includes different types of investments, successful energy projects often need various funding sources. Modeling the capital structure is often the only way to understand which route to follow.
Your options might include traditional bank loans, support from development organizations, private investors, guarantees and green bonds. A blended approach has helped launch clean energy projects in many developing countries.
A typical capital structure for a power infrastructure project.
Through years of experience, GIA has refined its approach to managing complex energy infrastructure projects. It begins with early partner identification, bringing together local communities, international investors and key decision-makers from the outset.
This proactive collaboration enables us to identify and address potential challenges before they impact project timelines or budgets.
Development Banks and Financial Institutions
How development banks raise standards
Development banks and financial institutions represent important partners in major energy infrastructure projects, providing significant capital support and helping transform plans into reality.
Their contribution extends beyond direct funding – they help attract private investors with high international standards while working to ensure projects deliver benefits to local communities.
Morocco’s solar revolution
Consider Morocco’s Noor Ouarzazate Solar Complex, one of the world’s largest solar power facilities. The African Development Bank (AfDB) helped launch this groundbreaking project with €100 million from its resources and secured an additional $100 million through the Clean Technology Fund (AfDB, 2024).
This support did more than just fund construction – it gave private investors the confidence to get involved.
Modern financing tools
Energy projects combine different types of funding to derisk and move them forward. This includes project finance based on expected earnings, special loans with favorable terms for development, guarantees to reduce investment risk and grants to help with planning and implementation.
Building a sustainable future
Development institutions are leading the charge toward cleaner energy solutions. The World Bank’s Energy Sector Management Assistance Program, for instance, helps countries adopt renewable energy, improve energy efficiency and develop innovative funding approaches (World Bank Group, 2024).
Specialized organizations are also making a difference. The African Guarantee Fund offers green guarantees to support small and medium businesses investing in clean technology (AGF, 2024). Meanwhile, Africa GreenCo is working to make renewable energy more affordable and available across southern Africa by serving as a trusted energy trader (Africa GreenCo, 2024).
How GIA Supports Energy Infrastructure Projects
GIA is working hard to establish itself as a force in energy infrastructure development through its hubs in London and Casablanca.
GIA’s specialized focus on emerging markets sets it apart. The firm combines deep sector expertise in energy and infrastructure with comprehensive end-to-end solutions, ensuring that each project not only reaches completion but delivers lasting impact. This approach has proven particularly effective in markets where traditional development models often fall short, driving both sustainable economic growth and meaningful societal advancement.
Comprehensive services
GIA offers support for energy infrastructure projects through a range of specialized services:
Project Development
GIA assists clients from the pre-feasibility stage to financial close, including:
GIA works with technical partners to conduct comprehensive technical and financial assessments – held to the highest standards such as the IFC Performance Standards – to build trust and inform decision-making.
Making Infrastructure Happen – Our Case Studies
Powering Senegal
The work on Senegal’s 360 MW Combined Cycle Gas Turbine project showcases an ability to handle complex power generation initiatives. Developing precise financial models, managing power purchase agreements and keeping all stakeholders aligned – each partner helped bring this vital project to financial close.
Energizing Togo
The team are providing comprehensive financial advisory for a 125 MW power project in Togo. We have developed tailored project finance models that consider multiple scenarios, structure essential project documentation and create procurement strategies that align with local needs and project goals. Alongside the modeling work, power advisory has helped shape the technical solution provided by the EPC and delivered first-fire in an energy poor region.
Global Expertise, Local Sponsors
We work closely with leading contractors worldwide while understanding local needs. This approach helps us serve clients effectively:
Project developers seeking to expand their reach
International organizations working to improve infrastructure
Government agencies planning vital developments
Financial institutions funding critical projects
With offices in regions we serve, we aim to bridge the gap between global expertise and local knowledge, particularly across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The unique positioning helps us understand both international best practices and local realities.
A New Collaborative Chapter to Energy Infrastructure
The path to sustainable energy infrastructure (and away from President Adesina’s anxieties over Mickey Mouse business) represents one of this decade’s most crucial challenges – and opportunities.
The evidence is clear: energy infrastructure partners who combine deep technical knowledge with local expertise are transforming how projects move from concept to reality. Their collaborative approach has proven essential in an era where energy access and sustainability can no longer be treated as separate goals.
A landscape of success stories across emerging markets tells a clear narrative. When international expertise meets local knowledge, when capital aligns with community needs and when technical capability joins forces with market understanding, previously insurmountable barriers fall away. This pattern of success through partnership offers a clear roadmap for the future of energy infrastructure development.
For stakeholders navigating this complex landscape – whether project developers, investors, or institutions – the message is unambiguous: strategic partnerships represent the most reliable path to sustainable, successful projects.
Through experienced advisors and partners like GIA, these stakeholders can fulfill a dual mandate: delivering reliable energy infrastructure while advancing both economic growth and environmental sustainability in emerging markets.
Africa GreenCo. (2022) Africa Green Regional Energy: Efficient, New and Creditworthy Offtaker.
Cao, H., & Zhang, C. J. (2024). How investments in clean energy affect job creation in Canada: Panel data analysis. Advances in Economics, Management and Political Sciences.
Guarnieri, M. (2024). Advancements in flow batteries for long duration energy storage. ECS Meeting Abstracts.
He, Y., Zhang, W., & Li, B. (2024). Research on energy-saving transformation of rural residential building envelope structures and heating modes in Northeast China. Energies.
Ibrić, N., & Kovačević, M. (2024). The role of renewable energy in achieving sustainable development goals. International Journal of Engineering Research Updates.
Jiao, Y., & Tan, Y. (2024). Power system decarbonization assessment: A case study from Taiwan. Energies.
Li, Y., Wang, X., & Zhang, L. (2024). Gender inequality in energy access: A review of the literature. International Journal of Current Science Research and Review.
Meng, Q. (2023). Smart grid technology: Innovations and challenges. Journal of Petroleum Technology.
Nzeanorue, A., & Okpala, C. (2024). Smart grid technology: Enhancing energy efficiency and reliability. Energies.
Rakhimov, A., & Makhmudov, A. (2024). Energy storage technology: Current trends and future prospects. Energies.
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