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A Build-Lease-Operate-Transfer Agreement (B.L.O.T) is a project delivery model where a private party builds a facility, leases it to the project owner or authority, operates it for a specified term, and finally transfers it back at the end of the concession period. This structure is widely recognized as a hybrid of B.O.T. and B.O.O.T. models and is particularly valuable for cash-strapped owners who cannot fund construction upfront.

Purpose and Financing Role

Build-Lease-Operate-Transfer Agreements are often used as a financing solution when the project owner has no available budget to build the project. The private developer finances construction, assumes construction risk, and earns revenue through lease payments and operational income. These payments allow the developer to recover its investment while ensuring the facility remains functional and properly maintained.

Key Phases in B.L.O.T.

• Build: The developer designs and constructs the project according to agreed specifications.
• Lease: The completed facility is leased to the owner or an anchor tenant, generating predictable lease revenue.
• Operate: The developer manages and operates the facility, ensuring service quality and compliance with performance standards.
• Transfer: At the end of the lease/concession period, the project is transferred to the owner in good working order, free of liens.

Where B.L.O.T. is Used

BLOT Agreements are commonly seen in:

• Real Estate & Commercial Infrastructure – airports, ports, and logistics parks, where public authorities prefer leasing instead of immediate purchase.
• Energy & Utilities – power plants, water treatment facilities, where lease fees and operational revenues fund repayment.
• Industrial Facilities – manufacturing hubs or warehouses developed under long-term lease-to-transfer arrangements.

Advantages of B.L.O.T.

• Ownership Assurance: Guarantees eventual transfer of the asset to the owner.
• Financing Flexibility: Allows owners to defer large capital expenditures.
• Risk Transfer: Shifts construction and operational risk to the developer.
• Predictable Cash Flow: Lease payments create a stable income stream for investors.

BLOT Model in Infrastructure Development

A B.L.O.T model extends the B.L.T. approach by adding an operational phase before ownership transfer. In this structure, the private company leases the asset to the end user while also managing daily operations and maintenance. As a result, the company ensures professional management throughout the lease period and reduces inefficiencies before the transition occurs.

Moreover, transport hubs, energy facilities, and public service projects often adopt B.L.O.T agreements to balance financial risks with operational stability. Because of the leasing phase, the recipient can integrate the asset into long-term plans without facing early-stage operational challenges. In addition, a gradual transition allows stakeholders to assess performance and refine processes before ownership changes hands.

Therefore, B.O.T variations, including B.L.O.T., provide flexibility in structuring agreements according to financial capacity, operational needs, and risk tolerance. When governments and investors carefully assess funding sources, expected revenue streams, and ownership goals, they select the most effective model. By shifting financial and operational responsibilities to align with project objectives, stakeholders create sustainable and scalable infrastructure solutions.

Note: You may also check out other models such as Build-Operate-Transfer Agreement (B.O.T), Build-Own-Operate Agreement (B.O.O), and Build-Own-Operate-Transfer Agreement (B.O.O.T), which share similarities with B.L.O.T Agreement but differ in ownership and transfer structures. These alternatives offer governments and private investors additional flexibility in structuring infrastructure partnerships.

References:

1. Public‑Private Infrastructure Advisory Facility (PPIAF) — “PPP Modalities” toolkit, which distinguishes different procurement/delivery models such as Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) and Build-Lease-Transfer (BLT).
2. Investopedia — “Build-Operate-Transfer (B.O.T) Contract: Definition, Risks, and How It Works”. Although it doesn’t cover exactly B.L.O.T. by name, it provides a clear breakdown of the build-operate-transfer model, which you can map across to build-lease-operate-transfer.