Projects & Energy: Power | Global

A&O Shearman is home to a renowned project finance practice which frequently advises major regional and international development finance institutions (DFIs) and banks on syndicated finance transactions in Africa. The team is notably active on the financing of mining and oil and gas projects, with extensive project development experience, including the negotiation of EPC contracts. A formidable presence in power projects with considerable experience acting for lenders, sponsors and developers, the firm holds additional expertise in infrastructure, wind, hydro and thermal.

A leader in the African projects and energy market, Clifford Chance demonstrates top-drawer capability in power, oil and gas, infrastructure and mining. The group is highly adept in supporting sponsors and lenders through the design, building, financing and operation of projects across the continent. Its lawyers possess notable expertise in novel IPP and power mandates across the full array of renewable energy areas, from hydropower to wind, solar and geothermal. The department is also frequently mandated on corporate matters, commercial agreements and international disputes, including significant matters handled on behalf of major mining houses. With key strengths in its Paris and London offices, the firm has a clientele that includes lenders, sponsors, development finance institutions and major global corporations.

Gide Loyrette Nouel is a leading French law firm with an enviable presence in francophone Africa. An established name in the representation of state-owned companies, the group is also sought after for its representation of private sponsors and developers in energy projects and infrastructure developments concerning ports and municipal services. It is regularly instructed on high-profile renewable energy projects, including wind and hydroelectric power matters. Its lawyers also adeptly handle instructions from national governments.

Herbert Smith Freehills operates a formidable projects and energy group with eminent expertise in mining and infrastructure mandates. The group applies its profound knowledge to such matters as joint venture projects, acting for sponsors as well as investors. Further esteemed for its work in the power sector, and notably advising on high-profile renewable energy projects, the team has expertise that extends to knowledge of upstream and midstream oil and gas developments. The firm harnesses the Africa expertise in its Paris office to provide a distinguished francophone offering which is enhanced through its presence on the ground via its office in Johannesburg, as well as through the depth of its projects group in London.

White & Case operates a prominent energy and projects group with impressive capabilities across Africa. The firm applies its extensive energy expertise to the financing and development of significant mining projects, frequently acting as counsel to lenders and sponsors. It is further sought after for its experience advising on high-profile oil and gas matters, covering complex finance and commercial issues particularly in the LNG space. Regularly instructed on infrastructure and power projects, the team frequently assists with various commercial advisory and transactional issues stemming from such work, including private equity investments. Key hubs for the firm's African projects team include London and Johannesburg.

Covington & Burling possesses strength in both sponsor and developer-side work in the renewable energy sector, advising on the development, financing and construction of wind farms, thermal power projects, hydropower stations and solar projects. The firm also offers expertise in infrastructure projects in the water, mining and transport sectors, and is active on a number of gas and coal power plant developments, with notable involvement in South Africa's IPP procurement programmes. The Africa projects team principally operates out of its Johannesburg and London offices.

Hogan Lovells is a well-recognised multinational law firm with a respected projects practice in Africa. It represents several clients in the oil and gas sector, offering advice on production-sharing contracts, entry into new African markets and various strategic investments. The team is also active assisting with the financing of, and investment in, significant solar and hydropower projects. The firm typically staffs African projects matters out of its London and Paris offices. The transactional team is well supported by the firm's disputes lawyers when it comes to contentious issues arising out of energy sector investments.