Independent power projects (IPPs) are electricity generation projects that are usually tied to private investment and often based on a contract with a utility, guaranteeing that the utility will purchase power over a span of decades. Since private investment of this size is risky in emerging markets, IPPs are often protected through an explicit or implicit financial guarantee from the government. IPPs are important because they facilitate the flow of private capital to the energy sector, which is a critical part of satisfying unmet demand for power and expanding clean energy in emerging economies.

A power purchase agreement (PPA) is a long-term contract between the power generator and the power customer (usually a utility). It determines the flow of revenue between buyer and seller and provides the terms by which potential investors allocate risk.

In emerging markets, development of IPPs requires a PPA; without a PPA, the project cannot be financed.

We should be concerned about both! PPA disclosure is one vital piece of necessary procurement reform. Competitive procurement methods — such as auctions — have been shown to drive down prices, accelerate project execution, and enhance transparency (when designed and executed well). But competitive processes without transparency won’t solve the problem, and in fact can add to public distrust and market volatility (e.g., South Africa Karpowership). And in the many countries still using unsolicited, non-competitive methods, PPA disclosure is a zero-cost way to enhance transparency and accountability.

The official reason is that PPAs contain commercially confidential information. This has also been claimed for sovereign loans, oil contracts, and other government procurement. But in reality, contracts include very little that might require some form of privacy. That’s why contract disclosure should be the norm, but some information could be redacted (blacked out) if absolutely necessary. And the public should know what and how much is being deliberately kept secret. In practice, secrecy usually benefits a specific party; that party is never the public.

In emerging economies where project risk is higher, many PPAs are guaranteed (either explicitly or implicitly) by the government. For example, in some countries, the government provides a sovereign guarantee to the project, assuring developers that it will step in to cover potential risks such as non-payment by the utility. In other cases, the utility is a state-owned entity and relies on subsidies from the government. When the utility owes money to power producers, that burden ultimately falls on the government and, indirectly, on citizens. In instances where utilities have become heavily indebted to IPPs and cannot cover their costs, the general public suffers because electricity service declines and/or electricity bills go up.

For the launch of PPA Watch, we have scored an initial set of countries here. If your country is not listed, data collection may be in process, or get in touch here.

Abundant, affordable electricity matters to everyone. A good first step is just learning more about what’s happening in your own country and whether a lack of transparency is a problem or not. Anyone can start here. Or try these links if you are a journalist, government official, project developer, investor, social advocate, or a regular citizen.