Ramón Varela
About
Provided by Ramón Varela
Practice Areas
Mr. Varela is a Partner in the corporate law department and heads the Energy and Projects practices of the firm. Mr. Varela specializes in energy transactions and advisory work, in particular on mergers and acquisitions, financing and regulatory issues. He mainly advises clients involved in the generation, supply, transmission and distribution of energy; including hydro, wind, natural gas and solar projects.
His over 20 years of legal practice have given him considerable experience in major areas not only those related to the energy sector, but also infrastructure projects including transportation, ports, water and sewage. Additionally, he has extensive experience of assisting clients on disputes within the energy and infrastructure sector.
Professional Memberships
International Bar Association (IBA); Panamanian Association of Business Executives (APEDE, for its initials in Spanish).
Publications
- Chambers & Partners Alternative Energy & Power Guide 2019.
- Panama Seeks to Adopt a Framework Law for Public-Private Partnerships.
Work Highlights
Recent relevant experience includes among others:
Advising Generadora de Gatun, S.A., and AES Panama in connection with the financing of a new natural gas-fired power plant.
Advising Banco General, S.A., and Banistmo, S.A., as arrangers and underwriters in connection with the public offering and issuance by Fountain Hydro Power Corp. of corporate bonds for an amount of up to US$110 million.
Advising Seven Seas Water and a group of its subsidiaries, in a US$205,000,000.00 financing.
Advising Seven Seas Water Corporation in a US$163,000,000.00 financing.
Advising the original lenders in the refinancing and takeout of the original credit facility for the construction, operation and maintenance of the second phase of the Penonomé wind power project.
Advising Avanzalia, Spanish energy company, on the final stages of the development and commissioning of the Penonomé Power Plant, a photovoltaic power plant with an installed capacity of 120MW.
Advising International Finance Corporation, who will be advising Empresa de Transmisión Eléctrica, S.A. (“ETESA”) on the development and bidding of a project for the engineering design, procurement, construction, operation and maintenance of the fourth transmission line in the Republic of Panama.
Regular advice to The AES Corporation on regulatory, contractual, environmental and tax matters related to the hydroelectric, LNG and thermoelectric power plants owned and operated by the AES Corporation through AES PANAMA, S.R.L., AES CHANGUINOLA, S.R.L., and GAS NATURAL ATLANTICO, S. DE R.L.
Chambers Review
Latin America
Well-regarded partner Ramón Varela routinely furnishes advice for financial institutions involved in project finance mandates, as well as clients in the development and operational phases of energy projects. He comes highly recommended by a client, who reports: "Ramón Varela is one of the finest energy lawyers in Panama," adding: "He has a very strong client service, as well as the ability to handle highly sophisticated mandates."
Articles, highlights and press releases
15 items provided by Morgan & Morgan
Morgan & Morgan Legal advised Minera Panama, S.A., in negotiating a Refreshed Concession Agreement
Morgan & Morgan Legal advised Minera Panama, S.A., in negotiating a Refreshed Concession Agreement with the Government of Panama for the Cobre Panama Project, the largest private investment in the history of Panama.
Morgan & Morgan Legal advised Minera Panama, S.A., in negotiating a Refreshed Concession Agreement
Morgan & Morgan Legal advised Minera Panama, S.A., in negotiating a Refreshed Concession Agreement with the Government of Panama for the Cobre Panama Project, the largest private investment in the history of Panama.
Morgan & Morgan Legal advised MMG Bank in a financing to be granted to Daconan Star Solar
Morgan & Morgan Legal advised MMG Bank Corporation in connection with a financing to be granted in favor of Daconan Star Solar, S.A.
Morgan & Morgan Legal advised Banco General and Banistmo in a US$110 million public offering
Morgan & Morgan Legal advised Banco General, S.A., and Banistmo, S.A. in connection with the public offering and issuance by Fountain Hydro Power Corp. of corporate bonds for an amount of up to US$110 million.
Morgan & Morgan Legal advised Seven Seas Water in a US$205 million financing
Morgan & Morgan Legal advised Seven Seas Water and a group of its subsidiaries, in a US$205 million financing, which would be used to refinance a US$163 credit facility obtained by the company.
Morgan & Morgan achieved the highest number of rankings for Panama in Chambers Latin America.
Morgan & Morgan has achieved the highest number of rankings for Panama in Chambers Latin America Guide 2022, the key reference point of Latin American top law firms.
Morgan & Morgan advised Electron Investment, S.A. in a public offering of corporate bonds
Morgan & Morgan represented Panamanian company Electron Investment, S.A. in the public offering of corporate bonds for a sum of up to US$ 205,000,000 (the “Bonds”) in relation to Pando and Monte Lirio, two hydropower generating facilities that it owns and operates.
Panama Seeks to Adopt a Framework Law for Public-Private Partnerships
For the past few decades, Panama has established public-private partnerships (“PPPs”) in projects as diverse as toll roads, water treatment plants, ports, telecommunications networks and the generation and distribution of electricity.
Morgan & Morgan is nominated at the Latin American Energy and Infrastructure Awards
Morgan & Morgan and 3 lawyers of the firm are nominated in the first edition of the Latin American Energy and Infrastructure Awards, an event organized by the Iberian Legal Group and its publication The Latin American Lawyer.
Morgan & Morgan advised IDB Invest in connection with a loan facility to Global Bank Corporation
Morgan & Morgan advised IDB Invest, a worldwide financial institution with presence in Latin America and the Caribbean region, in connection with a loan facility granted to Global Bank Corporation for an amount of up to US$60,000,000.00 (with an option for further supplements).
Morgan & Morgan represented Electron Investment, S.A. in an arbitration process
Morgan & Morgan represented Electron Investment, S.A. in an arbitration process filed by Constructora Seli Panamá, S.A. before the International Chamber of Commerce
Morgan & Morgan advised Engie Solar in the sale of its ownership in PanamaSolar2, S.A.
Morgan & Morgan represented Engie Solar in the sale of its ownership in PanamaSolar2, S.A., to Latin Renewables Infrastructure Funds managed by Real Infrastructure Capital Partners.
Morgan & Morgan advised Thesan with respect to a US$11.5 million project finance
Morgan & Morgan continues to advise Thesan in on-going legal and regulatory matters of this project.
Morgan & Morgan advised Grupo CAABSA in connection with the asset purchase acquisition of Soho Mall
Morgan & Morgan acted as local counsel to Grupo CAABSA, in connection with the asset purchase acquisition of Soho Mall, by a consortium group comprised of Mexican companies, i.e. by Grupo CAABSA and Grupo Citelis. Our team dealt with important challenges in this landmark transaction.
Morgan & Morgan advised in connection with a joint venture of Cafetales and ENESA
Morgan & Morgan advised Cafetales, S.A. (Cafetales) and Energía Natural, S.A. (ENESA), in a joint venture in a special purpose vehicle, Emnadesa Holding, S.A., in favour of which ENESA transferred its ownership interest in Empresa Nacional de Energía, S.A., and Cafetales transferred its ownership in
Morgan & Morgan Legal advised Minera Panama, S.A., in negotiating a Refreshed Concession Agreement
Morgan & Morgan Legal advised Minera Panama, S.A., in negotiating a Refreshed Concession Agreement with the Government of Panama for the Cobre Panama Project, the largest private investment in the history of Panama.
Morgan & Morgan Legal advised Minera Panama, S.A., in negotiating a Refreshed Concession Agreement
Morgan & Morgan Legal advised Minera Panama, S.A., in negotiating a Refreshed Concession Agreement with the Government of Panama for the Cobre Panama Project, the largest private investment in the history of Panama.
Morgan & Morgan Legal advised MMG Bank in a financing to be granted to Daconan Star Solar
Morgan & Morgan Legal advised MMG Bank Corporation in connection with a financing to be granted in favor of Daconan Star Solar, S.A.
Morgan & Morgan Legal advised Banco General and Banistmo in a US$110 million public offering
Morgan & Morgan Legal advised Banco General, S.A., and Banistmo, S.A. in connection with the public offering and issuance by Fountain Hydro Power Corp. of corporate bonds for an amount of up to US$110 million.
Morgan & Morgan Legal advised Seven Seas Water in a US$205 million financing
Morgan & Morgan Legal advised Seven Seas Water and a group of its subsidiaries, in a US$205 million financing, which would be used to refinance a US$163 credit facility obtained by the company.
Morgan & Morgan achieved the highest number of rankings for Panama in Chambers Latin America.
Morgan & Morgan has achieved the highest number of rankings for Panama in Chambers Latin America Guide 2022, the key reference point of Latin American top law firms.
Morgan & Morgan advised Electron Investment, S.A. in a public offering of corporate bonds
Morgan & Morgan represented Panamanian company Electron Investment, S.A. in the public offering of corporate bonds for a sum of up to US$ 205,000,000 (the “Bonds”) in relation to Pando and Monte Lirio, two hydropower generating facilities that it owns and operates.
Panama Seeks to Adopt a Framework Law for Public-Private Partnerships
For the past few decades, Panama has established public-private partnerships (“PPPs”) in projects as diverse as toll roads, water treatment plants, ports, telecommunications networks and the generation and distribution of electricity.
Morgan & Morgan is nominated at the Latin American Energy and Infrastructure Awards
Morgan & Morgan and 3 lawyers of the firm are nominated in the first edition of the Latin American Energy and Infrastructure Awards, an event organized by the Iberian Legal Group and its publication The Latin American Lawyer.
Morgan & Morgan advised IDB Invest in connection with a loan facility to Global Bank Corporation
Morgan & Morgan advised IDB Invest, a worldwide financial institution with presence in Latin America and the Caribbean region, in connection with a loan facility granted to Global Bank Corporation for an amount of up to US$60,000,000.00 (with an option for further supplements).
Morgan & Morgan represented Electron Investment, S.A. in an arbitration process
Morgan & Morgan represented Electron Investment, S.A. in an arbitration process filed by Constructora Seli Panamá, S.A. before the International Chamber of Commerce
Morgan & Morgan advised Engie Solar in the sale of its ownership in PanamaSolar2, S.A.
Morgan & Morgan represented Engie Solar in the sale of its ownership in PanamaSolar2, S.A., to Latin Renewables Infrastructure Funds managed by Real Infrastructure Capital Partners.
Morgan & Morgan advised Thesan with respect to a US$11.5 million project finance
Morgan & Morgan continues to advise Thesan in on-going legal and regulatory matters of this project.
Morgan & Morgan advised Grupo CAABSA in connection with the asset purchase acquisition of Soho Mall
Morgan & Morgan acted as local counsel to Grupo CAABSA, in connection with the asset purchase acquisition of Soho Mall, by a consortium group comprised of Mexican companies, i.e. by Grupo CAABSA and Grupo Citelis. Our team dealt with important challenges in this landmark transaction.
Morgan & Morgan advised in connection with a joint venture of Cafetales and ENESA
Morgan & Morgan advised Cafetales, S.A. (Cafetales) and Energía Natural, S.A. (ENESA), in a joint venture in a special purpose vehicle, Emnadesa Holding, S.A., in favour of which ENESA transferred its ownership interest in Empresa Nacional de Energía, S.A., and Cafetales transferred its ownership in
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