Business breakfast event at CMS Vienna to shed light on renewables bankability

On 20 September 2023, CMS Vienna and the German Eastern Business Association are gathering experts and company representatives for a business breakfast titled Electricity from Renewable Sources: How to Make Projects Bankable?

Governments have set ambitious targets for renewable energy expansion. In addition, the war in Ukraine and the energy crisis have dramatically affected many, unveiling the consequences of fossil fuel dependence.

One would expect a renewable energy project boom. But when taking a closer look, it turns out that things are not that simple. The increase in construction costs is enormous while strong energy price volatility makes it harder to plan investments.

The lack of zoning plans is a substantial obstacle as well, together with the lengthy approval procedures. These factors altered the conditions necessary for the financial viability of renewable energy projects. Therefore, financing models need to be rethought.

The business breakfast will start with a presentation of the legal framework, followed by a panel discussion with a Q&A session

International law firm CMS Vienna and the German Eastern Business Association – Ost-Ausschuss der Deutschen Wirtschaft – are organizing an event on September 20, titled Electricity from Renewable Sources: How to Make Projects Bankable? The business breakfast will gather experts and company representatives to discuss power purchase agreements (PPAs), collateral for financing as well as pitfalls of the permitting process and its costs.

Ost-Ausschuss represents the interests of German companies in 29 countries of Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe, in the South Caucasus and Central Asia, and promotes economic relations.

The business breakfast will take place at the premises of CMS Vienna in Austria’s capital city. Its experts will provide insight into the legal framework and relevant novelties, after which a panel discussion with a Q&A session will be held.

The panelists are:

• Jens Böhlmann, Director of Green Transformation, German Eastern Business Association
• Natascha Blauensteiner, Financial Manager, Ventureal
• Simeon Sarafow, Country Manager for Poland and Bulgaria, wpd europe GmbH
• Simona Apostol-Siegl, Director of Specialized Lending CE&EE Project Finance, UniCredit Bank Austria
• Tomasz Nowosielski, Managing Director, BE Energy GmbH

Legal keynote presentations will be held by Thomas Hamerl, Marlene Wimmer-Nistelberger and Kai Ruckelshausen, partners at CMS Vienna. Attorney Marko Selenic from CMS Vienna will be the moderator.

Companies interested in attending the event can apply here.