#USA #New York #LatinFinance #Atlas Renewable Energy #Santander CIB

Record Crowd Gathers to Celebrate Infrastructure Excellence

On October 5, 2026, a significant event unfolded at The Pierre in New York City, where more than 300 sponsors, investors, lenders, and public officials convened for the LatinFinance 2026 Project & Infrastructure Finance Awards. This record turnout, marking the largest in the ceremony's 13-year history, underscores an increasing investor interest in energy and infrastructure projects across Latin America and the Caribbean.

The awards this year reflected a growing demand for innovative solutions and investments in infrastructure, featuring a diverse array of submissions spanning renewable energy, pipelines, airports, data centers, ports, and urban transit. The impressive lineup of projects highlighted the region's potential for sustainable growth and development.

Among the standout winners of the night, Atlas Renewable Energy was named Project Sponsor of the Year for the second consecutive year. The company received accolades for its noteworthy $3 billion refinancing of 11 solar and battery storage assets, strategically located across three countries. This achievement showcases the commitment to advancing renewable energy initiatives, aiding the transition to sustainable power sources throughout the region.

Furthermore, Santander CIB was honored with the title of Infrastructure Bank of the Year Latin America for the fourth year in a row, indicating its continuing influence and pivotal role in the financing landscape. The bank also received the award for its efforts in Mexico, particularly regarding its involvement in Cox's acquisition of Iberdrola México and the launch of Mexico City's Cablebús green bond.

Taimur Ahmad, the CEO of LatinFinance, highlighted that the key challenge facing the region is not necessarily the availability of capital for infrastructure, but rather the ability to transform projects into financially viable deals. He noted that this year’s winners exemplified the successful navigation of these complexities, paving the way for future projects.

The event followed a day filled with rich discussions at the LatinFinance 2026 LAC Energy, Infrastructure & Sustainable Finance Roundtable, featuring prominent speakers such as Nuevo León Governor Samuel García Sepúlveda, Luiz de Mendonça of Acelen, Nacho Moreno from Cox, and other influential figures in the industry. These discussions emphasized the growing demand for power and water, backed by nearshoring trends, and examined Brazil's energy transition financing alongside investor perspectives regarding the risks associated with Mexican projects. They illustrated a noteworthy collaboration between public and private capital as they work together to fund the next vital phase of infrastructure in Mexico.

Winners were chosen through a meticulous judging process by LatinFinance's editorial team, evaluating transactions completed within 12 months leading up to May 31, 2026. Comprehensive articles detailing each winner will be featured in the Q4 2026 edition of LatinFinance magazine, as well as on LatinFinance's awards page.

Winning Institutions and Transactions

Several notable deals and institutions were recognized during the awards ceremony:

• - Infrastructure Deal of the Year (Mexico): Cox’s $3.5 billion acquisition financing for Iberdrola Mexico assets.
• - Urban Transport Deal of the Year: A Mexico City green bond financing project valued at MXN 3 billion for the Cablebús.
• - Infrastructure Law Firm of the Year (Mexico): Galicia.
• - Infrastructure Deal of the Year (Central America): Panama's Metro Line 3 financing worth $1.33 billion.
• - Power Deal of the Year: Generadora Gatún’s debut with $1.05 billion in senior secured notes due in 2041.
• - Infrastructure Law Firm of the Year (Central America): ARIFA.

The awards continued across various sectors, including sustainable infrastructure, social housing financing in Ecuador, and innovative projects in Brazil. The evening's achievements illustrate not just the successes of the participants but also the potential for ongoing development within Latin America's infrastructure landscape.

With the event concluded, anticipation builds for future recognition opportunities, with sign-up available for those wishing to be informed when the 2026 nominations open. More details about the awards process can be found at LatinFinance's official page.

About LatinFinance

LatinFinance stands as the leading global platform dedicated to providing insights into the financial markets and economies of Latin America and the Caribbean. For nearly 40 years, its publications have successfully delivered valuable information to a worldwide audience, including companies, governments, and investors. LatinFinance's events continue to facilitate crucial networking opportunities among key stakeholders within these dynamic markets.