The purely DFI-backed 462MW Azito gas-fired power plant expansion in Cote d’Ivoire and its successor – the 390MW Atinkou CCGT plant - proves DFI financing firepower is still the only weapon in project sponsors’ financial arsenal to get such large-scale IPPs across the line. But when will ECAs and banks join the funding mix?

What does being a modern ECA mean? Peter Gisler, CEO of SERV has strong views on the Swiss ECA’s ability to be proactive, flexible and to think outside the proverbial box of options available. Nonetheless, it isn’t always an easy path. Gisler shares his thoughts with TXF.

Andreas Back, senior manager, financial services at Wartsila goes in depth with TXF to discuss financing sustainable power in a market that still needs backups when the sun is not shining and the wind is not blowing, his competition, his dealings with ECAs and DFIs and also the changes in marine finance. How does it work when your niche is being niche?

Indonesia’s state-owned power utility PLN has yet to close a single power project financing in 2019 amid a year of economic slowdown and elections. However, Teguh Harsono, vice president of funding at PLN says 2020 will be a very different story.

Following the recent financial close on GNA 1, and the Sergipe project the previous year, is the Brazilian LNG-to-power sector ready for commercially banked deals with little or no DFI and ECA support? Some DFIs believe so, but GNA 2 will be the real test.