Project Finance Modelling for Renewable Energy

This 5-day programme develops practical skills in project finance modelling for renewable energy, with a focus on Sub-Saharan Africa, ESG, sustainable finance, and real-world case studies.

This intensive 5-day programme equips participants with the technical and strategic skills required to design, build, and evaluate project finance models for renewable energy projects. With a focus on Sub-Saharan Africa, the course integrates green and blue finance instruments, ESG principles, and regional case studies. Participants will gain the tools to develop bankable models and confidently present investment opportunities to stakeholders and financiers.

This training course will feature:

• Practical, hands-on financial modelling in Excel tailored to renewable energy
• projects
• Step-by-step guidance on structuring debt, equity, and blended finance
• arrangements
• Real-world case studies from Sub-Saharan Africa to highlight regional challenges
• and opportunities
• Integration of ESG and impact assessment indicators into financial models
• A team-based capstone project culminating in an investment pitch to a mock panel

• Financial and investment analysis
• Infrastructure and energy project development
• Government and public sector planning
• Commercial and development banking
• ESG and sustainability roles
• Technical consulting and engineering

Instructor-led delivery:

Expert facilitators with deep experience in renewable energy finance will guide participants throughout the programme.

Blended learning methods:

A mix of lectures, interactive discussions, case studies, and group exercises to ensure maximum engagement.

Hands-on practice:

Around 70% of the course is dedicated to practical Excel-modelling exercises.

Team collaboration:

Participants will work in groups on a capstone project to simulate real-world
investment decision-making.

By the end of this training course, participants will be able to:

• Build complete project finance models for renewable energy projects in Excel
• Analyse financial viability using key metrics such as IRR, DSCR, and gearing
• ratios
• Apply scenario and sensitivity analysis to assess project risks and resilience
• Incorporate ESG indicators and impact metrics into financial models
• Confidently prepare and present an investment pitch supported by a robust
• financial model

Day One:
Core Concepts of Project Finance & Renewable Energy

• Introduction to project finance and non-recourse structures
• Infrastructure challenges and opportunities in Sub-Saharan Africa
• Renewable energy economics: solar, wind, hydro, biomass
• Principles of green finance and accessing sustainable capital
• Blue finance: hydropower, coastal resilience, marine renewables

Day TWO:
Foundations of Financial Modelling

• Structuring Excel models for renewable energy projects
• Inputs: assumptions, revenues, opex, capex, depreciation
• Financing structures: debt, equity, grants, blended finance
• Calculating gearing ratios, IRR, and DSCR

Day THREE:
Advanced Modelling & Risk Testing

• Scenario and sensitivity analysis (tariff volatility, inflation, variability)
• Designing model switches, dashboards, and waterfall charts
• Understanding contracts: PPA, EPC, O&M agreements
• Political and credit risk mitigation (insurance, guarantees, instruments)

Day FOUR:
ESG Integration & Regional Applications

• Incorporating ESG indicators into models (carbon offsets, job creation, gender equity, energy access)
• Case studies: South Africa (REIPPPP), Kenya, Nigeria, Mozambique
• Policy and incentives: national strategies, carbon taxes, AfDB and Africa50 initiatives

Day FIVE:
Capstone Project & Investment Pitch

• Team-based financial model build (inputs, outputs, risk matrix, sensitivity dashboards)
• Preparation of investment brief and project pitch
• Presentations to instructors / mock investment panel
• Peer review and facilitator feedback
• Wrap-up session and awarding of Certificates of Completion visit