Energy Project Finance

Our approach

Successful financing of large-scale energy infrastructure projects requires careful coordination of resources, talent and access to information and capital resources.

Our internationally recognized project finance attorneys have closed finance transactions for projects small and large, many exceeding $15 billion. Aggressive and efficient as needed, we use strategic planning, creative thinking and practical advice to fulfill project finance requirements effectively and spot future capital opportunities.

We anticipate shifting business and regulatory landscapes, resolving issues creatively to propel projects forward. We address the risks and ensure our client’s projects are ultimately financeable.

As the nation’s preeminent firm in structuring and closing investments in tax credit transactions, we help developers, national syndicators, lenders and investors to structure renewable energy tax credits into project financing—ranging from solar to wind and biomass.

We advise a variety of clients in connection with energy tax credits, grants and loan guarantees from the Department of Energy, U.S. Department of Agriculture and multiple state programs. Adept in capital market transactions, lease transactions, sale-leaseback structures and equity fund formation, we also handle transactions involving debt from more traditional project finance lenders.

We work with

Buyers and sellers
Debt issuers
Energy marketers and other energy enterprises
Independent power producers
Large corporations
Large financial institutions
Lenders and borrowers
Municipalities
Private equity funds
Project developers and participants
Sponsors and equity and tax equity investors

Media Clips

GREEN Act would bolster tax credits for renewables, introduce storage ITC

Power Finance & Risk | February 11, 2021

This article on the reintroduction of the GREEN Act in the House of Representatives quotes New York City Project Finance & Public Finance partner Ellen Friedman on the viability of the Act’s 85% refundable credit to make it through the Senate and her outlook on the 30% investment tax credit for standalone energy storage.

The Impact of New York's Renewable Energy Permitting Program, PFAS Regulation

Bloomberg Law | October 26, 2020

The following Bloomberg Law article comprises a two-part, contributed series on the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s transformative regulatory changes on climate change, renewable energy, and emerging contaminants. The articles are written by Albany partner Pete Trimarchi and associate Dana Stanton, and Rochester associate Sarah Lobe, all of the Environmental and Land Use team.

Rising Stars

The Bond Buyer | October 19, 2020

This article features Rochester Project Finance & Public Finance partner Barry Carrigan for being named as one of The Bond Buyer’s “Rising Stars,” a top accolade in the public finance industry. The article also quotes Project Finance & Public Finance practice group leader and New York partner Ken Lind on Barry’s ground-breaking financing for clients such as BNY Mellon Capital Markets, LLC.

Solar Power Access: A Matter of Justice

Washington Lawyer | March 01, 2020

This in-depth profile of New Partners Community Solar features Nixon Peabody’s role in the project and quotes Washington, DC, Community Development Finance senior counsel Jeff Lesk and senior counsel Herb Stevens.

Can DC meet its ambitious solar energy goals?

Washington City Paper | February 24, 2020

This article quotes Washington, DC, Community Development Finance partner Jeff Lesk discussing the social impact of NP Community Solar, which was the first project to join Washington’s community solar program and has expanded to several commercial rooftops throughout the district.

Deals & Dealmakers: Ugly buildings offer greatest rewards, says Brookfield’s Ric Clark

Real Estate Weekly | February 19, 2020

This article mentions Nixon Peabody in connection with New Partners Community Solar’s collaboration with Brookfield Properties to install solar panels on downtown rooftops in Washington, DC, and convert the energy generated into utility bill credits for low-income families.

Could ‘beautiful clean coal’ be the next big thing in tax equity?

Power Finance & Risk | July 03, 2019

This story features New York City Project Finance and Public Finance partner Ellen Friedman discussing the view within the tax equity community about alternative investment structures for tax credits resulting from carbon capture activity.

D.C. CRE leaders on the lending environment, architecture trends, PropTech and more

Bisnow | September 30, 2018

Washington DC Office Managing Partner Colette Dafoe and Community Development Finance partner Jeff Lesk are mentioned in this story about the DCSolar project, which began on Nixon Peabody’s rooftop and has expanded throughout the District.

IREC announces 2018 3iAward recipients at Intersolar

Solar Power World | July 10, 2018

Washington DC partner Jeff Lesk and senior counsel Herb Stevens, both of the Community Development Finance Group, are mentioned in this story after NPSolar was named Community/Shared Renewables Project of the Year by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council.

How a DC law firm installed solar panels to help low-income people save on utilities

Washington Post | May 10, 2018

Nixon Peabody’s pro bono solar panel project is featured in this article. Washington DC tax credit finance and syndication partner Jeff Lesk and senior counsel Herb Stevens are quoted throughout this feature which highlights how this first-of-its-kind project benefits low-income residents in the DC community.

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Ideas