Allan Baker

Allan has worked at Societe Generale for eight years and has been involved in the power sector for more than 30 years, initially as an engineer and then in finance. During his career he has advised on and/or financed power projects in Europe, MENA, the US and Asia, and in sectors ranging from green-field renewable energy, through gas and coal, to the acquisition of large international power portfolios.

Allan has extensive experience in the clean energy sector, including recently taking a leading role in the offshore wind sector. Most recently he has acted as Financial Advisor to a floating wind project, Dudgeon (400MW) and London Array (630MW) in the UK and the successful Borssele III&IV bid (700MW) in the Netherlands. He also advised an Asian client on the successful acquisition of an equity stake in a 900MW offshore wind development in Europe. In addition to his advisory assignments, Allan has been involved in arranging debt for several EUR1bn+ offshore wind projects in Europe.

In the wider clean energy sector, Allan has also played a leading role in carbon capture & storage field having advised on White Rose, Teesside Industrial CCS and Donn Valley projects in the UK, as well as serving on the UK Government’s original CCS Forum and leading the commercial section of the CCS Cost Reduction Task Force.

Allan has a BSc (Hons) in Mechanical Engineering, an MBA, is a Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers and a Chartered Engineer.

Session Overview

Wednesday, 5 November

12:45

Hydrogen Conference Room A 12:45 - 13:05

Hydrogen project financing: bridging risk, returns and market dynamics

Securing long-term financing for hydrogen projects remains one of the sector’s most pressing challenges. Innovative financial mechanisms like blended finance and green bonds are needed to help balance the associated capital and technological risks. Returns can be enhanced by securing long-term offtake agreements, leveraging government incentives and optimising project locations to reduce costs. This is especially true for high-demand sectors like refineries, where hydrogen has the potential to replace traditional feedstocks, given stable supply and competitive pricing. Market dynamics will be influenced by policy frameworks, such as those in Europe and the U.S., making projects more bankable by reducing uncertainty and increasing demand. Creative deal structures and institutional investments can further align investor expectations with hydrogen project realities, while collaboration between lenders, developers and investors to efficiently and effectively navigate challenges will help unlock market potential and accelerate progress.

Attendee insights:

Discover how real-world financing models and practical solutions can create viable pathways for the expansion of hydrogen’s investment landscape.

Tuesday, 5 November

13:45

Hydrogen Conference ICC Hall B 13:45 - 14:15

View Session

Unlocking finance for low-carbon hydrogen at scale

Financial institutions are advocating for a robust policy framework of incentives, grants, and loan guarantees to enhance the economic viability of hydrogen projects. Green bonds, dedicated hydrogen investment funds, and other specialised financial instruments will be crucial in facilitating the scale-up of low-carbon hydrogen initiatives. Additionally, the establishment of public-private partnerships and project insurance schemes could play a pivotal role in mitigating investment risks and attracting private sector capital. What is required to ensure integrated financial strategies, supportive regulatory environments, banks and financial entities, all combine to unlock the substantial capital flow essential for hydrogen’s growth and integration into the global energy mix?

Attendee insights:

Gain a better understanding of the innovative financing mechanisms, risk mitigation strategies, and policy interventions that can unlock investment in hydrogen projects as well as the challenges in enabling them.