Practical issues in selecting a joint venture partner

Some general issues regarding joint ventures and how they come about were discussed. The first section of the presentation identified potential joint venture candidates as being gas suppliers, project developers, steam hosts, financiers, facility owners, fuel managers and non-regulated utility affiliates. An explanation of the joint venture process and the motives driving it was then presented. There are many sources of potential conflicts of interest in a cogeneration venture. These include changes in either deregulation, prices markets, competitive environment or financial position of participants. Another section of this paper discussed some of the lessons learned from forced cogeneration restructuring and buyouts. Three examples of cogeneration projects which did not survive the challenges of partnership were presented. These included the New York cogeneration project at a manufacturing plant, the Pacific Northwest cogeneration project at a refinery, and the Quebec City cogeneration project at a pulp and paper mill. The last section of this paper discussed the pros and cons of joint venture and other types of deals