Utility Financing of Energy Projects

Abstract

Proposals to deregulate the electric industry have created a tre-
mendous surge of activity. Utility planners are busy creating new and
exciting businesses for this competitive future. ''Value-added service"
is the catch phrase in most plans .
Many utilities are reeling under the impact of these proposals,
but a caution, they have yet to arrive! Some view the future with
excitement , others with trepidation, a few of our colleagues with gloom
as they look for a job.
The transformation that is about to happen in the utility industry
will happen regardless of regulatory influences. Customer s are already
demanding more services. Their expectations have been set.
Customers expect to be provided with the most competitive com-
binati on of energy sources and technologies for their business . New
companies are being formed daily to meet this need. Specializing in
helping the owners and operators of buildings to cost effectively man-
age energy consumption, energy service providers offer a wide portfolio
of services. These range from a relatively simple, or so it may seem,
commodity to very complex outsourcing deals. The mission is to win
and r etain customers .
Often these customers will not have to deal with kilowatt-hours
or therms. Services will be purchased as end uses like cooling and
lighting. Which bring us pretty much back to where it all started.
Thoma s Edison's original vision was for the supply of lighting, not
electricity.