Contractual risk management: key considerations for renewable energy projects

As investments in renewable energy assets grow, few tasks are as critical to a project’s success as risk management. But it’s no longer as simple as purchasing an insurance product a single time. Sophisticated risk management increasingly requires thoughtful consideration and analysis of key risks throughout the life of a project or across a portfolio of assets.

When overseeing renewable energy projects, risk professionals should be mindful of several common challenges. Renewable energy industry leaders can differentiate themselves by working with experienced and knowledgeable brokers to address those challenges.

Managing multiple contracts

A renewable energy project will typically involve several contracts, each of which is negotiated separately and subject to varying insurance requirements. What’s more, these agreements are often established years before any associated insurance coverage is purchased.

To the stakeholders negotiating these contracts, the key objectives are cost and timing, with risk management typically being further down the list of priorities.

Lenders and lenders’ consultants

To ensure their interests are properly protected, lenders often engage independent consultants to develop or review the insurance requirements in agreements. These third-party consultants advise lenders as to what insurance requirements should be considered generally acceptable.

New technologies

A growing concern and continued area of focus for insurers is the use of prototypical technology. To prevent routine maintenance from becoming insured events, underwriters are likely to scrutinise:

• what warranties are in place
• what costs are embedded in contracts
• who could ultimately be liable for potential claims associated with new technologies.

Specialisation matters

Consider selecting brokers with renewable energy expertise and resources and strong relationships with insurers, lenders, and their consultants.

Specialised risk advisors who understand the industry and can anticipate the distinct challenges of renewable energy projects can make a significant difference. These experienced advisors can enable greater access to insurance coverage and financing — ultimately yielding better outcomes for your renewable energy portfolios.

How an experienced broker can help

Proactive owners know to engage their brokers early in the process. The right broker can act as a guide through the risk management and insurance purchasing processes, supporting stakeholders through:

• Proactive risk identification. An objective, analytics-based approach to quantifying and assessing critical risks is crucial to anticipating key challenges that may not be apparent at the outset. Early identification of risks may help to ease insurance requirements and procurement further down the road.
• Equitable risk allocation. Brokers, alongside legal counsel, can review agreements to ensure that risk is appropriately transferred between parties, and that contract provisions contemplate exposures that are relevant to a given project or technology.
• Reasonable insurance requirements in contracts. Insurance market conditions can change substantially between the time agreements are executed and when insurance is purchased. Brokers can work with a project owner and its legal counsel to ensure that required insurance is reasonable and commercially available, and to introduce wording that allows for greater flexibility in the face of market fluctuations over the life of the asset or contract.
• Standard terms and conditions for key contracts. Standardised language can help to improve efficiency while also limiting risk. Any proposed deviation from such terms and conditions should be carefully considered as it may constitute a significant alteration to the risk profile.

As the renewable energy industry continues to expand, and insurer underwriting standards tighten, it is all the more vital for asset owners to adopt sophisticated risk management tools and strategies to ensure the long-term success of their projects. A qualified broker and specialty risk advisor can be a cornerstone of these activities.

Need expert advice? Get in touch with our renewable energy experts.