Our energy specialists offer an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the Sub-Saharan Africa environment, having been involved in several of Africa’s ground-breaking energy projects. Our presence ‘on-the-ground’ and familiarity with the risks of investing in the sector is a key differentiator as is our experience with complex domestic and cross-border infrastructure projects on the continent.
We have a full understanding of the different energy markets across the region and the challenges to the development of the sector including policy uncertainty, procurement and execution risks, off-take/market risks, tariff regulation, social and environmental risks, and the project risks posed by scarce transportation logistics, pipeline and grid infrastructure.
Our power experience covers a wide range of renewable energy projects including geothermal, small hydro, solar photovoltaic, concentrated solar power, biomass, on-shore wind and other technologies, as well as power generation projects using piped natural gas, coal, diesel and heavy fuel oils.
Our transactional expertise covers the full spectrum of project and finance documentation including negotiation of agreements on power purchase/ supply, fuel and feedstock supply, construction, operation and maintenance, technical support, grid connection and use, land acquisition, wheeling services, as well as equity funding, shareholder and sponsor support and subordination, standby facilities, senior debt facilities, mezzanine funding, CPI debt, preference share financing, senior debt security, contractor security, lender direct agreements.
Within the secondary market for investments in the energy sector, our specialist energy lawyers team up with other in-house specialists (anti-trust, mergers and acquisitions, private equity, international and domestic tax) to provide our clients a comprehensive legal service.
We act for a wide range of clients including developers, sponsors, public utilities, funds, commercial banks and other financial institutions, and governments. As an independent law firm we are also able to partner with a range of international law firms where appropriate in relation to cross-border projects.
- Advised China National Offshore Oil Corporation on the acquisition of a one-third interest in three oil exploration blocks in Western Uganda.
- Advised the Export-Import Bank of China on the financing of the 600 MW Karuma Hydropower Project and its associated transmission infrastructure.
- Advised the Export-Import Bank of China in relation to financing for electricity transmission lines and converter stations for Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited.
- Advised Hatton National Bank PLC on the financing of the 10 MW Tororo Solar Power Project.
- Advised National Development Bank PLC and Bank of Ceylon on the financing of the 6.5 MW Timex Bukinda Hydropower Project.
- Advised Hatton National Bank PLC and Bank of Ceylon on the financing of the 6.5 MW Muvumbe Hydropower Project.
- Acted as Uganda counsel to FMO and other lenders in connection with financing for the Mpanga and Nyamwamba hydropower projects.
- Advised EleQtra on the acquisition of land and development of a solar park in Eastern Uganda.
- Currently advising NLS Waste Power Plant Limited on the development of a 35 MW Waste-to-Energy Plant.
- Advised Mustard Seed Foundation on the establishment of a biomass power plant and biomass fuel supply venture in Northern Uganda.
