Edward W Zaelke

Practice Areas

Partner Edward (Ed) Zaelke is the global co-head of the Energy & Project Finance Practice. He focuses his practice on project finance and private equity in renewable energy transactional matters. With more than 30 years of experience, he advises clients on all elements of alternative energy development and finance, including equity and debt financing, merger and acquisition transactions, equipment purchase and sale agreements, power purchase agreements, siting and other real property issues, governmental approvals, and engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contracts.

A prominent leader in his practice, Ed has served as lead counsel on many of the largest and most significant transactions in the renewable industry. He also authors and speaks prolifically about various topics in the renewable energy industry. Ed is the former president of the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) and was a board member of AWEA for 12 consecutive years. He is also a founding board member of the Wind Solar Alliance. Ed also serves as an adjunct lecturer teaching “Renewable Energy Project Finance” at University of California, Los Angeles, School of Law.

View more on Ed's profile here: https://www.mwe.com/people/zaelke-edward/

Career

Prior to joining McDermott, Ed was the former head of his firm’s project finance practice.

A prominent leader in his practice, Ed has served as lead counsel on many of the largest and most significant transactions in the renewable industry.

Professional Memberships

Ed is the former president of the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) and was a board member of AWEA for 12 consecutive years. He is also a founding board member of the Wind Solar Alliance.

Publications

Ed authors and speaks prolifically about various topics in the renewable energy industry.

Work Highlights

Represented Quinbrook Infrastructure Fund, its subsidiary, Scout Clean Energy, and certain of its affiliates in the debt and tax equity financing of the Ranchero Wind farm in Texas*

Represented Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), as co-counsel, in connection with its acquisition of the renewable energy business and renewable energy assets of NRG, together with NRG’s interest in NRG Yield*

Represented Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority (ADWEA) and its affiliates in structuring and implementing a long-term offtake and shareholder arrangement with third-party financing through a combination of competitive bid processes and negotiations for what currently will be the world’s largest solar energy facility*

*Matter handled prior to joining McDermott.