Project finance and its limitations in terms of difficult political and structural horizons - the case of electricity generation

Illustrations are given of the kinds of difficulties attendant on the project financing of electricity generation in some developing countries and former socialist countries of Eastern Europe. There are risks due to the instability of the legal framework because of political considerations and also because the organization and regulation of the electricity supply industry is still being developed. Problems may arise because of the gap between the relatively short term of the repayable debt (10 to 12 years) and the lifetime of a typical project (of the order of 30 years). Project investment is usually entrusted to an independent body which often relies on the local electricity company to operate the power station. In this situation, the two bodies involved cannot mutually insure the risks. Exchange rates generate problems associated with convertibility on the one hand and fluctuations on the other. The particular problems which occur in the project financing of power station restoration are discussed. (UK)