The Legal 500 > Latin America > Argentina > Electricity

Estudio O'Farrell’s highly regarded team is comprised of ‘specialists with an integral vision and highly qualified knowledge in the different aspects of the market’, according to sources. The firm packs a punch in all key pillars of electricity law, with strong skill sets in regulatory, transactional and contentious matters. On the regulatory front, the multidisciplinary practice advises some of the country’s largest power companies (including YPF Energía Eléctrica, Pampa Energía and Transener) on regulatory compliance and administrative challenges. On the transactional side, the group is routinely engaged by energy companies seeking support on M&A, joint ventures and project finance. It also excels in complex litigation, where its ability to lean on the firm’s robust public law and economic regulation departments is a significant asset. Senior partner Uriel O’Farrell is a stand-out specialist in the power area, with premier sector expertise in M&A, privatisation transactions, regulation and dispute resolution. Other key contacts include economic regulation specialist Agustin Siboldi, who is highly regarded for his experience in regulatory and contentious matters, and Agustina Fanelli Evans, who is recommended for her strength in public law issues.

Beccar Varela’s power practice continues to increase its representation of renewable power companies looking to develop projects in Argentina, recently advising major multinational names such as Canadian Solar, Total Eren and Hive Energy. Aside from its blossoming projects practice, the group also advises on corporate and M&A deals, supply matters, finance transactions and regulatory issues — for a mix of energy companies, energy consumers, developers and financial institutions. Department head José Carlos Cueva’s broad practice spans all energy sectors, with a focus on renewable energy.

Bruchou, Fernández Madero & Lombardi finds favour for its ‘deep knowledge of the sector’ and its ‘interdisciplinary understanding’. The practice has been particularly active representing key players in the government’s RenovAr renewable energy programme of late, including Envision Energy and Canadian Solar. It also shines on the project finance side, where it plugs into the firm’s market-leading banking and finance practice to represent both banks and borrowers on major financings. Administrative law specialist Ignacio Minorini Lima co-heads the team and advises on power generation, transportation and distribution matters. Corporate and M&A specialist Mariano Luchetti co-leads the group. Administrative law-focused Eliana Hougassian is a capable associate.

A leader in oil and gas, Martínez de Hoz & Rueda is also becoming an increasingly relevant force in the electricity sphere. On the transactional front, the firm’s premier project finance practice translates into a steady stream of financing deals — where it acts for both borrowers and lenders — and it also advises energy companies on the sale and acquisition of projects. On the regulatory side, the firm provides ongoing advice to Parque Eólico Arauco SAPEM and Eoliasur. Pablo Rueda co-heads the wider energy group and has strong expertise in renewable energy. Jimena Vega Olmos is recommended for project finance, while associate Marcos Blanco provides capable support.

Arguably best known for its corporate strength, Marval O’Farrell Mairal’s power practice also deserves credit for its robust commercial and regulatory expertise. Most notably, the energy group is working alongside the firm’s banking and administrative law teams to advise China Gezhouba Group on regulatory power issues and contract negotiation related to the development of the largest hydroelectric project under construction in the country. Sebastián Iribarne leads the electricity practice and has strong transactional experience. Francisco Macías heads the overarching energy department and is recommended for regulatory and transactional matters. Public law associate Gonzalo Santamaria is a talented rising star.

The ‘always available’ team at Tavarone, Rovelli, Salim & Miani impresses with its ‘broad theoretical and practical knowledge’. The energy group combines with the firm’s effective banking practice to provide a strong offering in the project finance area, where it routinely acts for sponsors, lenders and service providers. Its transactional expertise also extends to public tenders and project acquisitions. Additionally, the firm houses a capable regulatory practice, which advises on the full electricity generation and supply chain. Department head Nicolás Eliaschev demonstrates ‘deep knowledge of the regulatory framework’. Senior associate Javier Constanzó provides ‘excellent results’.

Allende & Brea’s multidisciplinary electricity practice had a strong year; most notably, it continued to advise Nucleoeléctrica Argentina on its agreement with China National Nuclear Corporation for the construction of two nuclear power plants, worth $12bn. It also advises Wärtsilä Argentina and Siemens on Argentine power projects. Marcos Patrón Costas spearheads the power practice and specialises in transactional matters.

Bomchil’s power practice sits within its economic regulation and administrative law department and has a strong public law dimension. The group is also distinguished by its representation of electricity consumers on renewable energy supply matters, including recent work for the Four Seasons Hotel Buenos Aires and Metalsa. Key contact María Inés Corrá has an emphasis on energy regulation and disputes, including arbitration.

Mitrani Caballero & Ruiz Moreno Abogados’ practice encompasses the full spread of electricity matters, from regulatory and contractual issues, through to financing, transactions and dispute resolution. The group is comprised of interdisciplinary partners specialising in public law, corporate and M&A, and banking and finance, and is further supplemented by the wider firm’s offerings in tax and competition matters. Key contacts include administrative law partners Horacio Ruiz Moreno and Gustavo Cedrone.