Brief |
IN BRIEF – AMERICAS |
* Agbar’s Chilean subsidiary Aguas Andinas is to start work within the next few weeks on its long-planned Los Nogales plant, which will complete the provision of wastewater treatment to metropolitan Santiago. |
IN BRIEF – MIDDLE EAST |
* Despite completing an international roadshow on 13 November, the Dubai and Electricity Water Authority (DEWA) opted not to proceed with its US$ Sukuk. |
IN BRIEF – ASIA |
* Suez CEO Gérard Mestrallet was in China at the end of November, where he signed a pair of strategic environmental partnerships. |
IN BRIEF – EUROPE |
* Spanish government plans to triple the reuse of regenerated wastewater to 1,200hm3/yr by 2015 received a boost in early December with the approval of legislation establishing a legal framework and quality parameters for the use of recycled water. |
Need to know |
PRIVATE MOVES |
* The EBRD has taken a 10% stake in Veolia Voda - the French company’s central and eastern European subsidiary. |
NEW TRENDS |
* The next big thing in the American water sector seems to be long-distance private water pipelines. |
UPSIDE IN THE CRUNCH |
* The IPO postponements may create an interesting opportunity for private equity. |
CHOPPY MARKETS |
* Market conditions continue to take their toll on water fundraisings. |
Market insight |
The ostriches of Europe |
Few nations have adequately prepared cost estimates for the impact of the WFD. With implementation costs now estimated at €200 billion, things are getting tight. |
General |
New Federal pact to protect Colorado River |
Kathy Shandling reports on a new multi-state pact which could revolutionise the way water from the Colorado River is allocated. |
How green is your alley? |
An innovative groundwater recharge scheme in Chicago will save taxpayers money and reduce flooding. Kathy Shandling investigates. |
Death warrant for private water in Bolivia |
The country’s water sector is in disarray after the sacking of the water minister in late November. President Morales’ re-nationalisation plans can only hurt it further. |
“Corrupt” Conagua under pressure to reform |
Mexico’s national water commission is attracting increasing levels of criticism. It may be time to re-think the way the country’s water sector is managed. |
Veolia ousts Suez from Milwaukee |
United Water has failed to retain its Milwaukee wastewater contract, after Veolia pipped it to the post with a 0 million bid. The projected savings for customers are only a fifth of what they were previously. |
The West’s new gold rush for water rights |
Fast-growing cities in America’s West are driving the value of water rights to new highs, attracting investor interest. What are the dynamics of this emerging market? |
Kronenberg broadens his portfolio with Tahal |
After 20 years with IDE, Gustavo Kronenberg jumped ship for Tahal Group in October this year. GWI finds out what prompted the big move. |
Mekorot eyes foreign investments |
The Israeli bulk water supplier wants to commit equity to desalination projects beyond its home shores. Investors will be able to share in the spoils. |
Degrémont builds on Egyptian success |
Degrémont has built on its past experience to win an extension to Africa’s largest wastewater treatment plant. |
Fujairah 2 reaches financial close |
International Power and Marubeni have taken ADWEA’s latest IWPP to financial close on schedule. |
Doosan bid favoured at Shuwaikh |
Doosan’s patience has finally paid off. Kuwait has approved the Korean desalter’s KWD88 million (1 million) bid for the country’s largest SWRO plant, a year after the project was retendered. |
“It’s UU!” says Emaar |
United Utilities and Dubai real estate giant Emaar have formed a JV to manage utility services for Emaar properties in Dubai. |
Desal on the double quick for Jubail |
Three consortia are queuing up to build a 75,000m3/d desalination plant for Marafiq in less than five months. Is it the start of an impatient trend? |
Unlocking the value of sale-and-leaseback |
Welsh Water’s latest round of financing means that close to one third of its funding is derived from sale-and-leaseback transactions. What advantages does this particular asset class offer? |
Water divides Spain’s political factions |
The water debate in Spain is not simply a case of water transfers versus desalination and reuse. It is creating divisions within Spain’s main political parties ahead of next March’s election. |
Christ finds itself in the wilderness |
Christ Water Technology’s stock has been in decline since mid-November. A rushed capital increase and a set of results which fell short of expectations have not helped. |
Aussie miner strikes wastewater treatment deal |
An Australian mining company has agreed to purchase treated wastewater for use in ore transportation. The pipeline and treatment plant will be tendered shortly. |
Sydney boosts its recycled water credentials |
A new BOO contract for the supply of treated wastewater to Australian industry is one step closer to reality. It will help meet the new government’s recycled water target. |
From stalemate to Czech-mate |
A resolution has been reached in the battle to source EU funding for Czech water projects. Not all players are planning to back down. |
UU seen as vulnerable after £1.5 billion payout |
A larger than planned special dividend could mean United Utilities is the next UK water plc to disappear from the stock exchange. |
Controlling China’s water resources |
China needs to attract foreign investors to help fund large-scale water control projects. Ensuring an attractive off-take risk profile will be a key part of the initiative. |
Competition in other places |
The latest round of criticism to be directed at Ofwat has come from the Lords’ Committee on Regulators. Ofwat’s public response shows how seriously it takes the issue. |
A growth platform built on trust |
A new business trust will allow Hyflux to recycle its capital more efficiently. CEO Saud Siddique explains his vision for growth. |
Wabag’s Indian reunion |
The fusion of Wabag Austria and Wabag India is now complete. With financial support from India’s largest private bank, management has big ideas for the expanded group. |
Kelda joins the private equity party |
The unsuccessful Southern Water bidders have bagged a bigger prize – with no rivals to unseat them this time. |
UK interims overshadowed by M&A activity |
While the impact of the floods dented Severn Trent’s profits, the results season at the quoted UK water plcs was for the most part dominated by takeover activity. |
Solving Russia’s drink problem |
Veolia Voda has brought in the EBRD as a strategic equity investor. It is hoping to use the bank’s expertise to capitalise on opportunities in the Russian water market. |