Africa has historically relied on fossil fuels as its primary source of energy – with concerns about climate change and sustainability firmly on the agenda, the pressure is mounting to expand into renewable sources.

The demand for energy access has led to continued interest by project developers in energy generation and transmission development projects. In addition, various specialist funds and other financial investors are actively investing or exploring investments in energy projects across Africa.

With increased concerns around transparency and environmental social and governance (ESA) issues, governments, regulators and policy makers are increasingly revisiting their regulatory and policy frameworks for energy development and access. In this dynamic and challenging regulatory and operating environment, project developers and investors need a legal advisor with on-the ground expertise and experience and productive working relationships with regional regulators and policy makers in the energy sector.

ALN’s energy teams remain at the forefront of assisting developers and operators of energy projects in structuring equity and debt arrangements, negotiating key project agreements, related construction contracts, negotiating financing and government support measures.

ALN lawyers also assist clients in navigating the local land laws and tax complexities associated with energy project development.

We are also actively involved in advising on emerging and innovative energy production and storage solutions, including several battery storage projects in the region. In addition to our best-in-class legal expertise many of our clients find our understanding and insight into local regulatory policy and tax dynamics indispensable when developing or investing in an energy project in Africa.

Representative transactions include advising:

 

 

  1. Chinese Engineering Transmission

    In connection with a USD 2 billion power transmission and distribution project with the Ethiopian Government on a PPP basis

  2. Actis, Africa Infrastructure Investment Managers, General Electric, Craftskills Wind Energy International, and the International Finance Corporation

    Sponsors of this project in Kipeto, Kajiado County, Kenya, which is the second largest wind project in Kenya

  3. China Development Bank

    In connection with the USD 830 million financing granted to Amaria Hydraulic & Electrical Development Corporation SAU in order to facilitate a 300WM hydropower station project

  4. Export-Import Bank of China

    In connection with the development and project financing of the Souapiti and Kaleta hydropower projects in Guinea

  5. DI Frontier I and DI Frontier II (Frontier Energy)

    On the Kenyan law aspects of the financing of the 40MW Radiant Solar PV Project and the 40MW Eldosol Solar PV Project

  6. ib vogt GmbH

    In connection with the development of a solar project in Mamou, Guinea

  1. ResponsAbility Renewable Energy Holding

    In connection with the development of several renewables transactions in Kenya, Uganda and Zambia, including advising on a solar PV power project  in Kenya; 10MW Emerging Power solar project in Maguye, Uganda; the acquisition of the entire share capital of Emerging Power Uganda by repsonsAbility Renewable Energy Holdings form ZT Energy and its affiliates; acquisition of interests from CPSC Development regarding two hydropower projects in Uganda; on the development of a hydropower project in Simu, Uganda; and advising repsonsAbility Renewable Energy Holdings, Norfund and REH Energy on the development of several hydropower projects in Zambia that are being developed under the Get-Fit programme

  2. Government of Tanzania and the Tanzanian parastatal electricity-provider, TANESCO

    In connection with the proposed Ruhudji Hydropower project

  3. Triumph Power Generating Company

    In connection with the development and financing of an 83MW thermal power plant in Kenya

  4. Ossiomo Power and Infrastructure Company

    In connection with the USD 100 million design of an independent electricity generation facility and the sale of 55MW of electricity to Benin Electricity Distribution

  5. SN Power Invest Netherlands

    In connection with a refinancing to Bujagali Energy in relation to its acquisition of a 49.75% stake in Bujagali Energy, the largest hydropower generating company in Uganda that owns and operates Bujagali power station, the largest hydropower plant in Uganda

  6. A leading international natural resource company

    In connection with the supply of power to its frontier mine from a Zambian power utility company.

The sponsors of the 300MW Turkana wind power project

The largest power generation project in Kenya and designed to provide at least 17% of the country’s power demand, in connection with all legal matters of the project, including structuring,…

The sponsors of the 300MW Turkana wind power project

Chinese Engineering Transmission

In connection with a USD 2 billion power transmission and distribution project with the Ethiopian Government on a PPP basis.

Chinese Engineering Transmission

Berkeley Energy

A renewable energy fund manager investing in Asian and African emerging markets, in connection with its first ever transaction in Madagascar which involved the acquisition of a significant portfolio of…

Berkeley Energy

The Government of Tanzania and the Tanzanian parastatal electricity-provider, TANESCO

In connection with the proposed Ruhudji Hydropower project.

The Government of Tanzania and the Tanzanian parastatal electricity-provider, TANESCO

Export-Import Bank of China

In connection with the development and project financing of the Souapiti and Kaleta hydropower projects in Guinea.

Export-Import Bank of China

ResponsAbility

In connection with the development of several renewables transactions in Kenya, Uganda and Zambia, including advising on a solar PV power project in Kenya; 10MW Emerging Power solar project in…

ResponsAbility

China Development Bank

In connection with the USD 830 million financing granted to Amaria Hydraulic & Electrical Development Corporation SAU in order to facilitate a 300WM hydropower station project.

China Development Bank

ib vogt GmbH

In connection with the development of a solar project in Mamou, Guinea.

ib vogt GmbH

Quantum Power; Ormat, Transcentury and Symbion Power; and Sosian Energy

The sponsors of three separate 35MW each geothermal power projects in Menengai in the Great Rift Valley, Kenya.

Quantum Power; Ormat, Transcentury and Symbion Power; and Sosian Energy

SN Power Invest Netherlands

In connection with a refinancing to Bujagali Energy in relation to its acquisition of a 49.75% stake in Bujagali Energy, the largest hydropower generating company in Uganda that owns and…

SN Power Invest Netherlands