Green Buildings in Russia – is all still quiet on the Eastern Front?
The World Bank and IFC have recently reported that Russia’s current energy inefficiency is equal to the annual primary energy consumption of France. Indeed, the low local cost of energy, a mainly declarative legislation on environmental efficiency and little public interest have long kept Russia out of the global warming debate, and far away from the exotic issue of green buildings.
This trend is hopefully coming to an end with the recent enactment of a new law with compulsory requirements on energy saving and efficiency. This marks a clear ambition by Russian policymakers and will probably enhance the nascent interest in green buildings of the main players in the real estate industry, who were severely hit by the current crisis and seek new growth opportunities.
Gambling with Sand(s)
Offer my wife a diamond and you’ll see her eyes sparkle and a warm smile light up her face. I certainly wouldn’t take a gamble on offering her sand instead with a patient explanation that diamonds are actually compressed sand.
The worth of “sands” in Singapore has taken on added dimensions in recent years given the republic’s dependence on imported sand from its neighbours for its thriving construction needs. Much hullabaloo has similarly been generated on the newsfront with the phased opening of two casinos, one of which happens to share the namesake of Marina Bay Sands.
Singapore’s construction demand in 2010 is projected to reach between S$21 billion and $27 billion this year [...]
Liquidated Damages in PPP Transactions
One of the most interesting aspects of working in different jurisdictions is seeing how different regions approach the same issues in different ways – both legally and commercially. An example of this in the context of PPP transactions, is the differing approach taken in the UK and the Middle East in respect the inclusion of delay liquidated damages regimes in Project Agreements.
US$ 22 billion of upcoming expected investments in the Brazilian railway system
US$ 22 billion to be invested in these projects in the in the Brazilian railway system
Rule Changes for Expert Witnesses Ease Discovery Obligations
With reason, non-Americans tend to be wide-eyed at the extent to which U.S courts require affirmative disclosure of potentially relevant documents and facts – and at the cost these discovery procedures routinely entail. One change just announced, however, represents a bit of retrenchment that will make handling construction disputes in U.S. Federal courts a bit less challenging. Specifically, a party will no longer need to disclose all communications with its retained expert witnesses, along with the experts’ draft reports, per a rule change scheduled to take effect on December 1, 2010.
Under current Rule 26 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, all communications between legal cou [...]
Amended PRC Renewable Energy Law – Fresh Winds for Renewable Power Investment?
Throughout the ongoing financial crisis, and in spite of the glum news all around, I continued to receive fresh inquiries from prospective investors interested in the wind power industry in China. Small wonder, as this industry has doubled in size every year since 2006.
Last year, my observation on investment in the wind power industry was that the timing might be right, but investors should be patient and be prepared for challenges.
In fact, some international wind farm developers have pulled out under the pressure of continuing low returns on investment.
Some of the major causes of low returns are as follows:
(a) difficult grid connection – the grid enterprises managing the state monopo [...]
