Firms To Watch: Projects and energy: PRC firms

Fangda Partners has a largely Hong Kong based practice which serves clients working on projects in southern China. This includes both multinational companies and PRC state-funded organisations.
Grandall Law Firm actively advises on the sale and purchase of numerous energy projects and represent some of China’s largest power companies. Weidong Wang is the key name to note.
The energy practice at Hiways Law Firm represents both nuclear and renewable energy producers. The team is led by the experienced Yubin Fu.
Tahota Law Firm‘s Guangzhou-based team has a particular focus on the LNG sector, where it assists clients in the development of projects, and also provides ongoing advice to clients involved in the mineral and coal sectors. Zhang Lv is a key name to note.

Projects and energy: PRC firms in China

Global Law Office

Global Law Office‘s array of experienced partners represent a number of PRC gas giants, trans-national mining companies and municipal governments. Zhongcheng Wang has extensive experience of the projects and energy field and has notably been consulted on the Xiong’an New Area sustainable development. This government project aims to set the trend for environmentally friendly urban development in China. Other leading figures of the practice include Miller Wang, Shifang Guo and energy investment and financing specialist Xin Zhang. Liya Peng of the Chengdu office is building a strong reputation working with large clients in the pharmaceutical and electronics manufacturing industries and has developed the firm’s presence in western China.

Practice head(s):

Zhongcheng Wang; Miller Wang; Yue Wang; Xin Zhang; Shifang Guo; Xiaofeng Tang

Other key lawyers:

Minghao Xu; Liya Peng

Key clients

Jiangxi Copper Company Limited

Huaxia Financial Leasing Co., Ltd.

Beijing Capital Heat Co., Ltd

Beijing Shouchuang Thermal Power Co., Ltd

Chengdu Gas Group Corporation Ltd.

Huarun Gas Investment (China) Co., Ltd.

Chengdu Huarun Gas Engineering Co. Ltd

Jiaxin International Resources Investment Ltd.

Glencore International AG

City Development & Investment Co., Ltd of China Xiong’an Group

The People’s Government of Beijing Municipality

Beijing BII Traffic Development Co., Ltd.

SK Hynix System Ic Inc.

RK Properties

Beijing Infrastructure Investment Co., Ltd.

Beijing Maglev Transportation Development Co., Ltd.

Beijing BII City Utility Tube Investment Co., Ltd.

Work highlights

  • Advised Jiangxi Copper on the indirect acquisition of approximately 124 million shares (18.015% of the issued shares) of First Quantum Minerals Ltd., a Canadian listed company, for a total consideration of approximately USD 1.1159 billion.
  • Advised Beijing Maglev Transportation Development Co., Ltd. on the construction of the S1 Line in Beijing. The valuation of this project is around RMB 6.8 billion.
  • Advised on nearly 20 financial leasing transactions of Huaxia Financial Leasing Co., Ltd for photovoltaic or wind power assets. The valuation of this project is more than 6 billion RMB in total.

JunHe LLP

Among the larger teams for this practice area, JunHe LLP assists clients on diverse infrastructure projects in China and abroad. Transport, gas and other heavy industries are sectors of specialist expertise. Bill Qin has extensive international exposure during a career that included his employment with China’s CITIC Group. Jianan Yuan has over 20 years of experience in infrastructure investment and finance transactions together with advising on related tendering and bidding, mergers and acquisitions. Fang Yi has a background in advising state-owned enterprises. Elvis Zhou is highly recommended for ‘finding creative solutions and understanding how a dispute will unfold‘.

Practice head(s):

QIN, Yu (Bill); YUAN, Jianan; YI, Fang; HUA, xiaojun; ZHOU, Xianfeng (Elvis)

Testimonials

‘Very strong china outbound construction disputes team within a leading PRC law firm; quality of legal thinking and analysis continues to strengthen and mature given their substantial experience and the leadership of Elvis Zhou; massive international experience and industry experience. They retain their previous strength in working well with international counsel; great with PRC clients.’

‘Elvis Zhou: an extremely gifted construction disputes lawyer with real experience as well as string technical legal and engineering skills; very good at finding creative solutions and understanding how a dispute will unfold; invests heavily in training his juniors.’

‘JunHe LLP’s Projects and energy team irons its image in the circle thanks to their rich experiences in relevant industry sectors and high-quality legal services.’

‘Ms. Fei Zheng is highly professional – based on her proficiency in industry practice and legal service with high relevance to the client.’

Key clients

China Railway Construction Heavy Industry Group Co., Ltd

Guoxin Ronghui Equity Investment Fund Management Co., Ltd

China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC)

Daqo New Energy Corp.

Anhui Transportation Holding Group Co., Ltd.

Shanxi Road and Bridge Construction Group

Xinjiang Xintai Natural Gas Co., Ltd.

IBIC International Holdings

Henan Railway Construction Investment Group

Shanghai Gas

Beijing Kingfore HV & Energy Conservation Technology Corp., Ltd.

PICC Capital Equity Investment

Guoxin JianXin Equity Investment Fund and Guoxin ZhongXin Equity Investment Fund

Qingdao Metro Group Co., Ltd.

Jingjiang Port Group Co., Ltd.

Huzhou New City Investment Development Group Co., Ltd.

Tai’an Urban Development and Investment Co., Ltd.

Green Fund

Work highlights

  • Assists China Railway Construction in the Spin-off of CRCC Heavy Industry and its Listing on the Science and Technology Innovation Board.
  • Advised Investors in the Largest Ever Equity Financing in the Domestic New Energy and Power Sector: the Capital Increase of CGN Wind Power Corporation.
  • Assisted China National Nuclear Corporation in its Successful Issuance of Carbon Neutral Green Bonds on the Shanghai Stock Exchange.

King & Wood Mallesons

Vast in scope, covering financing and development work, King & Wood Mallesons continue to rank among the best. The practice caters to new renewable energy clients, oil and gas titans, nuclear energy producers and mining and metallurgical firms. Xiao Yong is the head of the team, having joined from Dechert LLP. He is supported by a number of highly qualified partners including Wenjing Tian, LV Yinghao and Jin Xiong, who also has experience in M&A and foreign direct investment matters. Zhizhi Liu is another name to note. She focusses on cross-border investments, international construction and engineering projects, international technology licensing and cross-border sales.

Practice head(s):

Xiao Yong

Other key lawyers:

Wenjing Tian; Zhizhi Liu; Jin Xiong; LV Yinghao

Key clients

China Longyuan Power Group Corporation Limited

State Grid China Electric Electricity Equipment and Technology Co., Ltd

Shenzhen Energy Gas Investment Holding Co., Ltd

Huadian Fuxin Energy Development Co., Ltd.

Guodian Ningbo Wind Power Development Co., Ltd.

The Wharf Holdings Limited

Tishman Speyer

Sino Ocean Capital

SF Real Estate Investment Trust

Yuexiu Real Estate Investment Trust (Yuexiu REIT) (00405.HK)

Macquarie Group

AEW

CapitaLand China Trust (SGX: CLCT) (former name: CapitaLand Retail China Trust (CRCT))

Ascott Residence Trust

Work highlights

  • Advised China Zhongyuan Engineering Corporation on a transaction structure and legal risks; reviewing and revising the project agreements and attending a number of rounds of on-site negotiations.
  • Provided Huadian Fuxin Energy Development Co Ltd with comprehensive legal service for the project. The scope of service involves various fields such as preliminary preparation, legal due diligence investigation, deal scheme design, drafting transaction documents, participating in commercial negotiations.
  • Advised Shenzhen Energy Gas Investment Holding Co. Ltd on complex negotiation of transactions with the inclusion of an ‘exit’ clause on occurrence of certain events.

Zhong Lun Law Firm

Zhong Lun Law Firm offers a tailored practice, complete with a mining focussed division led by Zhenhua Wang. Mining, metallurgy and gas are among the firm’s key areas of industry expertise. However, all major forms of energy production including renewables also fall within the scope of the practice. The firm offers services including due diligence, compliance management, project M&A, financing, construction and sales of mining and natural resources products. Jihong Wang serves as an adviser to both the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Ecology and Environment as well as her role at the firm, demonstrating her extensive expertise and knowledge in this field. Juan Miao has a growing practice in energy project financing, investment and mergers and acquisitions and is another key name to note.

Practice head(s):

Jihong Wang; Jun Cheng; Li Hao; Zhenhua Wang

Other key lawyers:

Juan Miao; Maoyuan Zhu

Key clients

GD Power Development Co., LTD.

Inner Mongolia Pingzhuang Energy Co., Ltd.

Sinohydro Foundation Engineering Co.,Ltd

Sinohydro Bureau 3 Co., Ltd.

Sinomine Resource Group Co., Ltd.

TBEA Shenyang Transformer Group Co., Ltd.

Chengxin Lithium Group Co., Ltd.

Chengtun Mining Group Co., Ltd.

Hunan International Cooperation Fund Management Co., Ltd.

Beijing United Rongbang New Energy Technology Co., Ltd.

China Energy Engineering Group Guangdong Electric Power Design Institute Co., Ltd.

GLP New Energy (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.

China Power Hefei Energy Co., Ltd.

Xinte Energy Co., Ltd.

Zhejiang Energy Natural Gas Group Co., Ltd.

Zheneng Equity Investment Fund Management Co., Ltd.; Zhejiang Zheneng Green Energy Equity Investment Fund Partnership (Limited Partnership)

China Energy Engineering Group Northeast No.1 Electric Power Construction Co., Ltd.

China Resources Power Investment Co., Ltd.

Anhui Huainan Pingwei Power Generation Co., Ltd.

TBEA Xinjiang Sunoasis Co., Ltd

Minmetals Land Limited

Tebian Electric Apparatus Stock Co. Ltd.

China Petroleum Pipeline Engineering Co., Ltd.

China Aluminum International Engineering Corporation Limited (“CHALIECO”)

Shanghai Electric Power Co., Ltd.

Xinhua Electricity Development Investment Limited

SouthGobi Resources, a company listed on HK and Toronto stock exchanges

Synertec Corporation Limited, a multi-disciplined engineering consulting firm in Australia, which is listed on ASX

State Grid Overseas Investment Co. Ltd.

Work highlights

  • Advised GD Power Development Co., LTD. on its asset replacement with China Energy Investment Group Co., LTD..
  • Advised Inner Mongolia Pingzhuang Energy Co., Ltd. on The Merger, the Assets Disposal and the Purchase through Cash with Longyuan Power.
  • Advised China Energy Investment Corporation. LTD on Bankruptcy Reorganization of Qinghai Huaxin Hydro Power Development Co., Ltd.(“Huaxin”) (and its Maerdang Hydropower Station)

Dentons

At Dentons China, Guisheng Yang leads the energy, natural resources and environment practice, supported by mining specialist Guanshan Yang. The firm has an extensive roster of clients including railways, mining companies, petroleum producers and renewable energy setups. Major electricity, petroleum and natural gas player Shenergy Group is among the most notable. The practice offers services in mergers and acquisitions, equity transactions, due diligence and all aspects of project implementation. Nancy Sun has a specialism in carbon trading and carbon reduction projects work for major oil companies, while Jenny Si is another key name.

Practice head(s):

Huazhi Yuan; Guisheng Yang

Other key lawyers:

Guanshan Yang; Nancy Sun; Jenny Si

Key clients

China Railway Guizhou Tourism Culture Development Co., Ltd.

China Railway Culture and Tourism Investment Group Co., Ltd.

BASF (China) Co., Ltd.

Vitol (China) Energy Co., Ltd.

Shell (China) Co., Ltd.

Copenhagen Infrastructure New Markets Fund I K/S

Shenergy New Energy (Inner Mongolia) Co., Ltd.

Shanghai Shenergy New Energy Investment Co., Ltd.

Rudong Xiexin Offshore Wind Power Co., Ltd. |Rudong Zhixin Offshore Wind Power Co., Ltd.

Shanghai Shenergy Power Sales Co., Ltd.

State Grid Integrated Energy Service Group Co., Ltd.

Jiangsu Daqin New Energy Technology Co., Ltd.

Shanghai Electric Group

Shanghai Yuxiong Machinery Equipment Co., Ltd.

Zhongrui Hengfeng (Shanghai) New Energy Development Co., Ltd.

PowerChina Henan Engineering Co., Ltd.

Zhaoyuan Municipal Non-coal Mine Management Headquarter Office

Work highlights

  • Assisted BASF with its acquisition of Shanshan Energy.
  • Assisted Shanghai Shenergy New Energy Investment Co., Ltd. in the due diligence and equity transactions involving nearly 30 wind power project asset packages with a total installed capacity of more than 2GW, including offshore wind power projects, onshore centralized wind power projects and decentralized wind power projects.
  • Advised China Railway Guizhou Tourism Culture Development Co., Ltd on conducting an in-depth  legal feasibility study on the whole project and conducted detailed analysis on more than 10 major feasibility issues.

Guantao Law Firm

Guantao Law Firm‘s projects and energy team work on both overseas investments and regional development projects within China. Of the latter, the firm  services a number of clients working in Xi’an, the historic former Tang Dynasty capital in western China. The practice has particularly stood out for its handling of acquisitions of portfolios of energy assets. Wei Jiang has extensive experience advising on major infrastructure projects while Zi Wang is appreciated by energy clients for her blend of M&A, capital market and private equity cross border expertise.  Ling Xu is another integral name at the practice; notable for her work in mining and metallurgical M&A and for advising environmental technology companies.

Practice head(s):

Pengpeng Yan; Wei Jiang

Other key lawyers:

Ling Xu; Zi Wang; Hongming Xiao

Key clients

China Power Construction Engineering Consulting Co., Ltd (“CPCEC”)

China Export & Credit Insurance Corporation (“SINOSURE”)

Tianhe Guozi Holding Group Co., Ltd.

Xi’an Changning New District Management Committee

Xi’an Chanba Silk Road International Culture and Art Center Co., Ltd.

China Energy Engineering Group Northwest Power

Construction Engineering Co., Ltd

China Energy Engineering Investment Corporation Limited (CEEIC)

China Jingu International Trust Co.,Ltd.

China Fortune International Trust Co., Ltd

Work highlights

  • Advised Xi’an Chanba Silk Road International Culture and Art Center Co., Ltd on a PPP project with a total estimated investment of RMB 1,382,437,800.
  • Advised Xi’an Xingfu LindaiConstruction&Investment Co., Ltd on a PPP project with a total estimated investment of RMB 12,201,530,300.
  • Advised China Energy Engineering Group Northwest Power Construction Engineering CO., Ltd on the infrastructure construction project of Nanba New Town, Xuanhan County, Dazhou City, Sichuan Province (Phase I) with a total estimated investment of RMB 1,289,058.500

Jincheng Tongda & Neal

Jincheng Tongda & Neal provides advice on M&A and infrastructure projects in the energy sector. Overseas investments, debt financing and large construction projects characterised the practice. Xiaodong Zheng represents a range of state backed and private industrial clients. He leads the practice jointly with Guohua Wu, a corporate lawyer with expertise in fund formation and who demonstrates expertise in industries including aviation and automotive as well as energy. Yonggao Wu is notable for his experience working for the Ministry of Land and Resources, making him well placed to provide clients with valued advice on land use regulations and rights. Xiaoqing Chu is a further key name and an accomplished arbitrator.

Practice head(s):

Guohua Wu; Xiaodong Zheng

Other key lawyers:

Yonggao Wu; Xiaoqing Chu

Key clients

China Energy

Shanghai Jinshan New Town Construction and

Development Co., Ltd.

Jiangsu Huadian Energy Co., Ltd.

Yingkou Port

Shagang Investment

State Development & Investment Corp., Ltd.

PICC Capital Insurance Asset Management CO.,LTD.

Sichuan New Energy Power Company Limited

Work highlights

  • Acted as lead counsel to China Energy in connection with its proposed shale gas investment in the United States.
  • Acted for Jinshan District, Shanghai and helped to sign the Investment Cooperation Agreement with Fosun International Limited to build Jinshan Coastal International Cultural Tourism Resort.
  • Advised Jiangsu Huadian Energy Co., Ltd. and helped to successfully issue total non-financial corporate debt financing instruments of RMB 14.6 billion.

Sunshine Law Firm

Energy is a specialism for Sunshine Law Firm, particularly for its work in renewable energies. The team provides services supporting the development, construction, investment and financing, mergers and acquisitions, and operation and maintenance of numerous green energy projects. The firm notably represents several large Chinese energy companies including China Three Gorges Corporation. The team also works on a number of wind energy projects. Leading lights of the firm Zhen Chen and Angie Zhou are well regarded for their expertise in green energy project financing. Zhijian Ge is a professor of environmental resources and energy law alongside his role as a partner at the firm. Song Shen departed for Jingtian & Gongcheng.

Practice head(s):

Angie Zhou; Jianlai Zhang; Zhijian Ge

Other key lawyers:

Zhen Chen

Key clients

Huarun Electric Power Investment Co., Ltd

Sembcorp Industries Ltd

State Power Investment Corporation Limited Jiangxi

Electric Power Co., LTD. New Energy generation Branch

Global Logistic Properties Investment Management (China) Co., Ltd.

China Three Gorges Corporation

China Power International New Energy Hainan Co., Ltd.

CLP Holdings Limited

China International Engineering Consulting Corporation

China National Petroleum BP Co., Lt

Work highlights

  • Advised Sembcorp Industries (Shanghai) Co., Ltd on acquisition of 658MW of wind, solar assets in China.
  • Advised China Three Gorges Corporation (600905) on acquisition of PV and wind power new energy series with asset package of RMB 15 billion.
  • Advised CLP Holdings Limited (00002) on Integrated Centralized Cooling and Heating Energy Project.

Tian Yuan Law Firm

Gas, wind, coal and hydropower all fall within the scope of Tian Yuan Law Firm‘s energy practice. The firm specialises in fund formation and acquisitions in the energy field,  regularly acting on significant M&A transactions. Jie Chai and Xiaodong Zhu jointly lead the practice from Beijing. Both are involved in major project financing matters and together they offer their considerable experience acting as counsel for major energy enterprises, both domestic and international. Advising Chinese projects overseas is a key strength of the firm. Liang Xu and Song Shuang are further names to note.

Practice head(s):

Jie Chai; Xiaodong Zhu

Other key lawyers:

Liang Xu; Shuang Song

Work highlights

  • Advising on the investment and financing, engineering construction, operation and maintenance and cross-border electricity sales projects of a 600MW coal-fired power station.
  • Advised China Yangtze Power on the launch of a compulsory tender offer project for Luz del Sur S.A.A, a Peruvian listed company through its overseas subsidiaries.

Commerce & Finance Law Offices

Commerce & Finance Law Offices advises both state-backed and private companies in the energy field. Xinggao Pan is the key practitioner, representing the State Grid, among other large power corporations. Energy financing and transactional work is one of the core strengths of the practice. The firm’s overseeing of the acquisition of several photovoltaic project companies constitutes some notable work. Wei Chen advises on mergers and acquisitions in the energy field as part of her broader corporate practice.

Practice head(s):

WU Gang; KONG Xin; ZHANG Xinyang; ZHANG Xiaoman; PAN Xinggao; LI Hongji ; DUAN Jieyun; CHEN Wei; CHENG Yiqun; JIANG Haitao; LIU Tao

Other key lawyers:

Shang Juan

Testimonials

‘The team has extensive experience in the energy sector, particularly in new energy, and is a good match for our company’s development needs. The team cooperated positively with our work requirements and arrived at the project site quickly, with experienced and sufficient numbers of personnel.’

‘The team is very familiar with the policies and workflow related to new energy investments, and they carry out and complete their work efficiently, with results that meet the requirements of decision making and a very high level of cooperation.’

‘The team was highly rated by their peers. Their service attitude is excellent and their work is very competent, and the partner, Ms. Shang Juan, personally leads the team in the field work and pays attention to the quality control of the work.’

Key clients

Yixing hexin energy co., Ltd.

Jiangsu Hesheng New Energy Co., Ltd.

STATE GRID

Gezhouba Group Stock Company Limited

State Grid International Development Limited

China International Capital Corporation Limited

China Energy Reserve and Chemicals Group Company

Guochu Huijin Capital Management Ltd.

Morgan Stanley & Co., International PLC

Bestway Marine & Energy Technology Co., Ltd.

Wuhu Power Generation Co., Ltd.

China National Offshore Oil Corporation

Shanxi Tian Jian Hua Xia Business Trading Ltd.

Shanxi Jin Bang Energy Technology Group Limited

Mari Mundi III Limited.

Xinjiang Silk Road Qian Yuan Energy Co., Ltd.

China Power International Development Limited

CPIC Xinjiang Energy & Chemical Group Turpan Co., Ltd.

China Power Investment Xinjiang Energy and Chemical

Group Aksu Co., Ltd.

Yingli Energy (China) Co., Ltd.

State Power Investment Group Hainan New Energy

Investment Co., Ltd.

China National Offshore Oil Corporation

CNOOC Investment Holdings Ltd.

CNOOC Finance Co., Ltd.

CPI New Energy Chemical Group Mulei New Energy Co., Ltd.

Tower Energy Co., Ltd.

China Electrical Equipment Group

DaHui Lawyers

DaHui Lawyers is a growing projects and energy practice led by Richard Ma. The firm covers a range of services for its clients including fund formation and arbitration. Serving the ‘new economy’ is part of the team’s philosophy; it acts for zero emissions innovators Ideanomics, while Tesla is another notable client. Jie Tong and Owen Yang are some of the key names to note in this practice.

Practice head(s):

Richard Ma

Other key lawyers:

Jie Tong; Owen Yang

Jingtian & Gongcheng

Jingtian & Gongcheng represents large state-owned mining and engineering companies and financing organisations from across China. Yanmei Long specialises in the mining industry. She is a fluent French speaker and assists Chinese clients with major projects in the DR Congo and Guinea; jurisdictions of which she has detailed knowledge. Linming Jin leads the Guangzhou branch of the practice, advising on infrastructure projects for construction and engineering companies alongside his real estate practice.

Practice head(s):

Yanmei Long; Linming Jin

Key clients

China Power International Holding Limited

China Three Gorges International Limited

China Gezhouba Group Corporation Overseas Investment Co., Ltd

China Machinery Engineering Corporation

China Export and Credit Insurance Corporation

China Energy Engineering Investment Corporation Limited

Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt Co., Ltd.

China Molybdenum Co., Ltd.

China Nonferrous Mining Corporation Limited

Xinjiang Joinworld Co., Ltd.

Hongkong Excellen Mining Investment Co., Ltd.

West International Holding Limited

CNMC Huachin Mabende Mining S.A.

Kambove Mining S.A.S

Deziwa Mining S.A.S

China 15th Metallurgical Construction Group Co., Ltd.

Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt Co., Ltd.

China Molybdenum Co., Ltd.

China Nonferrous Mining Corporation Limited

Xinjiang Joinworld Co., Ltd.

Hongkong Excellen Mining Investment Co., Ltd.

West International Holding Limited

CNMC Huachin Mabende Mining S.A.

Kambove Mining S.A.S

Deziwa Mining S.A.S

China 15th Metallurgical Construction Group Co., Ltd.

WUHAN ZHONGJIANWUDI DEVELOPMENT & CONSTRUCTION Co., LTD.

TRANSPORT BUREAU OF KAIPING CITY

QINGZHI ENGINEERING CONSULTING (SHENZHEN) CO., LTD.

CHINA CONSTRUCTION FOURTH ENGINEERING DIVISION CO., LTD.

GUANGZHOU NANSHA URBAN CONSTRUCTION & INVESTMENT CO., LTD

FOSHAN RAIL TRANSIT BUREAU

Hyder Consulting (Shanghai) Ltd.

Work highlights

  • Assited Huayou Cobalt’s acquisition in Zimbabwe.