Hydrogen, one of the most abundant elements on Earth, can be produced from a diverse range of resources, including non-renewable resources such as fossil fuels, and cleaner, more sustainable resources such as wind, solar, geothermal or biomass. By Tom Fotheringham, partner, and Lisa Huynh, solicitor, both at DLA Piper.

After the signing of nine framework agreements at COP27, questions around the potential offtake and bankability of the projects involved are starting to be answered. By Gajendra Yadav, Synergy Consulting.

Unlocking the North Sea's potential as a clean energy hub and co-ordinating electricity transmission from its offshore generation assets will be key to meeting net-zero targets writes Bryony Theaker, a senior associate in Clifford Chance's energy and infrastructure team.

The massive increase in demand for EVs, together with the need to address intermittency issues associated with renewable energy, means that there is an unparalleled call for batteries. These processes require an unprecedented volume of lithium extraction, processing and battery manufacturing. As a consequence, the battery value chain is in the spotlight more than ever before. By partners Daniel Giemajner and Matt Hardwick in the projects, energy and transition practice at Akin Gump in London.

It still feels like Christmas morning for the US renewable energy industry, with so many presents scattered among the torn-off wrapping paper. Months after enactment, market participants have yet to fully appreciate all that was provided in the Inflation Reduction Act. By Paul Astolfi, Nadav Klugman and Eric Pogue, Mayer Brown.

LNG leaders met in Athens at the start of December at the World LNG conference to discuss the state of the industry. The event had a different outlook from 12 months ago. By David Ledesma​ of South-Court Ltd and distinguished research fellow, Oxford Institute for Energy Studies.

Transportation infrastructure growth faces an inflection point heading into 2023, with the recent years' stimulus and recovery-fuelled growth expected to slow dramatically against the economic backdrop of a looming recession. While a recession may slow the recovery to pre-pandemic volumes and revenues, infrastructure remains a very stable sector overall. By Gregory Remec, Fitch Ratings.

Dubai-based Yellow Door Energy has gone from raising seed funding rounds in 2015 to having a global solar pipeline currently worth US$1bn, attracting excited investors and confidently stepping into emerging markets. By Cristiana Sandeva.

A bank/bond financing backed the largest energy-related indigenous economic partnership to-date in North America. The transaction is being viewed as a possible template for more to come. By Alison Healey.

Canadian company Innergex went to Latin America to expand its footprint and used the project finance market to optimise the financial structure of its renewables portfolio. Similar deals are set to follow across the region. By Nic Stone.

The Inflation Reduction Act does not address a fundamental issue long facing energy infrastructure projects – the burdensome and unpredictable permitting process and myriad opportunities for project obstruction by environmental and other groups. By Brandon Tuck, counsel, and Simon Willis, associate, Vinson & Elkins’ Environmental and Natural Resources practice in Houston.

Developing innovative financing structures to mobilise liquidity towards the solar PV sector across the Taiwanese market is a significant step in the maturity of its renewable energy sector. Linklaters’ partner Ying Fu, Clifford Chance partners Nadia Kalic and Chad Bochan, as well as Standard Chartered’s Steve Mercieca, Anqi Gong and Benjamin Tan provide further insight on such innovative financing structures adopted for the 186MW and 82MW refinancings of solar PV assets across the Taiwan market for New Green Power and BlackRock Alternatives’ Climate Infrastructure business.

The Hin Kong power project is the first gas-fired project in Thailand procuring gas from an entity other than PTT that has been project-financed by international and domestic commercial banks. By Wanwisar Nakarat, partner, and Xylia Sim, counsel, Linklaters.

The NeuConnect interconnector is a landmark new energy project for Europe, creating the first direct link between the UK and Germany, and helping to connect two of Europe’s largest energy markets for the first time. By Sergio Rodriguez Casado, partner, and Olivier Bramaud-Grattau, partner, Meridiam; Arnaud Grévoz, CEO, NeuConnect; Yann Le Bot, director, Energy+, and Nicolas Pothier, vice-president, Energy+, Societe Generale.

Bouygues Telecom and Vauban Infrastructure Partners through its digital investment platform Vauban Infra Fibre joined forces to accelerate the rollout of fibre-optic in France. By Charlotte de Parseval, executive director, corporate and leveraged finance, telecoms, and Kevin Douard, director, real assets distribution, Crédit Agricole CIB.

South Africa started loosening energy regulations this year. Two landmark project financings closed under liberalised terms, showing that energy suppliers, energy consumers and project financiers are excited about deregulation stepping in to tackle the country’s decade-long energy crisis. By Cristiana Sandeva.