The Decade: past
In the first part of our 10th anniversary special, industry thought leaders reflect on the changes that have taken place in infrastructure investment over the last 10 years
Stories of the Decade 2009: Chicago parking meters’ controversial decade
The consortium is on track to recoup its $1.15bn investment by 2021 – just 12 years after being awarded a 75-year lease to operate the city’s on-street meters. But it still can’t shake the stigma of a bad PPP.
A coming of age for the energy transition
FIRSTavenue’s Tavneet Bakshi and Chris Tehranian on the evolution of a new asset class.
Stories of the Decade 2010: Rise of the big PE houses
Blackstone’s modest $200m first close in 2010 was vastly overshadowed by the $14bn it raised for its relaunched vehicle in 2019. Now KKR, Carlyle and Apollo are also eyeing the asset class hungrily.
The rise and fall of PPPs
Patrick Mitchell and Matthew Job of Herbert Smith Freehills on what comes next for public-private partnerships in UK infrastructure.
Stories of the Decade 2011: ‘Social dynamite’
The former Allianz Capital Partners CEO’s prediction of growing public opposition to private ownership of infrastructure was spot on, though he might have been surprised at the extent to which he’d be proved right.
Stories of the Decade 2012: Leap of faith rewarded
CalSTRS’ $500m commitment to IFM Investors was 2012’s largest allocation to an infra vehicle and offered a taste of the fundraising heights to come.
The growing appetite for infrastructure
Infrastructure has come to play an indispensable role in investors’ portfolios, argues Campbell Lutyens’ James Wardlaw, and the asset class continues to evolve.
Stories of the Decade 2013: The government gives and the government takes away
The European renewables subsidy flip-flops earlier in the decade foreshadowed a market transition that is now playing out in full.
Lessons from a decade in infrastructure
Transparency, discipline and diversification are key, says Wim Blaasse, managing partner at DIF Capital Partners.
Stories of the Decade 2014: An open-and-shut case
Mexico’s 2014 energy reforms were historic, but the aftermath demonstrated the hand of politics in infrastructure.
Stories of the Decade 2015: Strength in numbers?
Having ‘emerged’ in 2015, infrastructure’s mid-market is now thriving. But this brings its own challenges.
Why biggest isn’t always best
The mid-market has become well established, says Tiger Infrastructure Partners’ CEO Emil Henry, with growth capital providing an exciting way to diversify risk.
Stories of the Decade 2016: Politicians play the national-security card
The Australian government’s decision to block two Chinese bids for Ausgrid drew a line in the sand for the land Down Under.
From nascent to mainstream
Alain Rauscher and Mark Crosbie of Antin Infrastructure Partners on the art of spotting new sectors.
Stories of the Decade 2017: The mega-funds arrive
GIP closed the largest-ever unlisted infrastructure vehicle on $15.8bn, thus foreshadowing the following year’s record fundraising.
Stories of the Decade 2018: The appeal of Asian renewables
Following a growth spurt in 2016-17, there are signs the market might be overheating. But demand is expected to remain strong as countries address the challenges.
The rise of infrastructure private equity
Lennart Blecher, Alex Darden and Matthias Fackler of EQT on the emergence of a distinct value-add asset class.
Stories of the Decade 2019: ESG takes centre stage
With ever-increasing scrutiny of corporate behaviour and calls for greater diversity, the industry is grappling with how to invest responsibly.
Redefining resilience
Infrastructure has always been about long-term, sustainable cashflows. But how you get there is changing, say InfraRed’s Harry Seekings and James Hall-Smith.