Deals of the Year 2021 EMEA: The winners podium
Commercial banks, DFIs and ECAs are still doing the heavy lifting of financing transport and transition assets. A look at 2021's Proximo Award winners in EMEA.
Despite the advances that non-bank lenders have made in the European infrastructure market, commercial banks have consistently made the case that for complex projects, new technologies and challenging markets they offer the best hope of getting to grips with tougher credits. Even in the more established markets, DFIs and ECAs can also be vital sources of liquidity.
None of 2021's Proximo Award winners in Europe, the Middle East and Africa took the easy option. The list of winners includes the first true project financing of EV infrastructure, an offshore wind farm with a merchant tale, a return to Turkey for international lenders, and PPP debuts for both Czechia and Latvia. Most were financed with commercial bank debt, augmented where necessary with debt or cover from public institutions.
The European transactions were announced and presented at the end of the first day of Proximo's European Renewables and Infrastructure event in Lisbon on 8 June. Sponsors that accepted their awards included Vinci, Kalyon and Binders. With Europe making a definitive, if somewhat shaky recovery from the pandemic, Proximo was honoured that so many industry players came out to salute the winners.
Europe
Awards to firms
Europe Sponsor of the Year - Meridiam
In addition to its involvement in two winning deals in the region, Meridiam also had a key role in the creation of the New Suez water operator
Europe Bank of the Year - Crédit Agricole CIB
Crédit Agricole combined a strong franchise in France with headline transactions in UK infrastructure, the waste sector, and no less than three big-ticket broadband deals.
Europe Law Firm of the Year - Linklaters
Another strong spread of transactions, covering everything from waste, to roads to conventional power, and no less than two deals in each of offshore wind and EV charging
Deals of the Year
Europe Offshore Wind Deal of the Year: Courseulles-sur-mer
Europe Solar Deal of the Year: Karapinar
Europe Emerging Energy Deal of the Year: Allego Carrefour
Europe Roads Deal of the Year: D4
Europe PPP Deal of the Year: Kekava Bypass
Europe Digital Infrastructure Deal of the Year: Unsere Grüne Glasfaser
Middle East & Africa
Awards to firms
Middle East & Africa Sponsor – Aramco
Middle East Africa Bank – Standard Chartered
Middle East Legal: Allen & Overy
Deals of the Year
Middle East & Africa Utilities Deal of the Year – Red Sea Multi–Utilities
Middle East & Africa Oil & Gas Deal of the Year – Jazan IGCC
Middle East & Africa Solar Deal of the Year – Sudair PV
Middle East & Africa WTE Deal of the Year – Dubai WTE
Middle East & Africa DFI Deal of the Year – Kinguele Aval
