Energy in Egypt

Al Kamel Law Firm

Al Kamel Law Firm operates at the apex of the Egyptian energy market and regularly advises leading oil and gas companies on a wide array of complex issues, from exploration and pipeline facilities to corporate transactions and disputes. The practice has also established a strong reputation for project finance work, having assisted clients on the Feed-in-Tariff Program for renewable projects. Mohamed Kamel and Rasheed Kamel lead the team and continue to cultivate strong relationships with leading international law firms such as Slaughter & May. Shahira Khaled is also a key contact, having recently handled high value petrochemical project financing.

Practice head(s):

Mohamed Kamel; Rasheed Kamel


Other key lawyers:

Shahira Khaled


Key clients

Infinity Group


Export-Import Bank of the United States, UK Export Finance and Overseas Private Investment Corporation


DEG-Deutsche Investitions Bank


Bayerische Landesbank


Nordea Bank Abp


Oesterreichische Entwicklungsbank AG


International Finance Corporation


Helmy, Hamza & Partners (member firm of Baker & McKenzie International)

A leading firm in the Egyptian energy market, Helmy, Hamza & Partners (member firm of Baker & McKenzie International) offers extensive expertise across the spectrum of areas including renewables, clean technologies, oil and gas and petrochemicals. Managing partner Mohamed Ghannam leads the banking and projects group, overseeing a practice that has experience in complex renewable projects related to wind, solar, biomass and waste-to-energy. Co-head Lamyaa Gadelhak was promoted to principal in July 2023 and is highly knowledgeable in issues related to climate change and carbon storage. Mohamed Elharmy is a key contact for project finance matters, Ghada El Ghairb was also promoted to counsel in July 2023.

Practice head(s):

Mohamed Ghannam; Lamyaa Gadelhak


Other key lawyers:

Mohamed Elharmy; Ghada El Gharib


Testimonials

‘The team really worked closely with our company and truly acted as a member of the owners’ team while presenting in front of the Egyptian sponsors.’

‘They are quite familiar with the Egyptian context and are able to bring in industry experts from international offices.’

Key clients

ACWA Power


African Development Bank


African Export-Import Bank (Afrexim Bank)


Ahli United Bank (UK) Plc


Alsubh Solar Power S.A.E


AMEA Power LLC


Arab African International Bank (AAIB)


Arab Banking Corporation


Arab International Bank


Attijariwafa Bank


Bank Of America Merrill Lynch


Banque Du Caire


Banque Misr


Baraka For Trade & Investment


BayWa R.E. Solar Projects Gmbh


Bechtel Egypt S.A.E.


Bechtel Limited


BLOM Bank SAL


Branch Of NJSC Naftogaz Of Ukraine


British American Tobacco Co., Egypt


Egypt Hydrocarbon Corporation S.A.E


Egypt Kuwait Holding Co., S.A.E


Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company (EETC)


HSBC Bank


Hutchison Ports Europe Ltd


International Finance Corporation (IFC)


Marakez Delta For Real Estate Projects


Mashreq Bank


MUFG Bank


National Bank Of Egypt


National Egyptian Railway Industries Company (NERIC)


National Service Projects Organization (NSPO)


New Renewable Energy Authority (NREA)


Orascom Development Egypt (ODE)


Rand Merchant Bank


Rawasy For Urban Development S.A.E


Rising Sun Energy S.A.E


Russian Industries Overseas Egypt Rio LLC


Sunrise Energy


The Egyptian Ministry Of Finance


The Sovereign Fund Of Egypt


Work highlights


  • Advised AMEA Power on its partnership with the Sovereign Fund of Egypt, the Egyptian Electricity Transmission, the New and Renewable Energy Authority and the Suez Canal Economic Zone to develop a 1,000 MW green hydrogen project.
  • Acted as legal counsel to the Egyptian Government, acting through the Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company (EETC), the New and Renewable Energy Authority (NREA) as well as the Ministry of Finance of Egypt, on a landmark power purchase agreement signed with Saudi power and renewable energy company, ACWA Power.
  • Acted as the Egyptian legal counsel to AMEA Power on the development and financing of a 500 MW wind farm located at Ras Ghareb, Gulf of Suez with a total investment cost of $709m.

Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy

Working in conjunction with the firm’s corporate and M&A and dispute resolution teams, Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy assists clients with projects, transactions and disputes related to oil and gas and renewables. Managing partner Mahmoud S. Bassiouny leads the project finance offering and offers extensive energy and infrastructure experience, having regularly acted for international commercial banks and major energy companies. Counsel Nadia Abdallah continues to strengthen her reputation for investments in renewables and upstream and downstream oil and gas.

Practice head(s):

Mahmoud S. Bassiouny


Other key lawyers:

Nadia Abdallah


Key clients

TSFE Infrastructure & Utilities Sub Fund


Red Sea Wind Energy S.A.E.


Groupe SEB


Lekela Egypt Wind Power BOO S.A.E.


Dragon Oil


Actis


Work highlights


  • Acted as the legal counsel to the TSFE Infrastructure & Utilities Sub Fund in connection with the negotiation of framework agreements with more than 15 developers to develop facilities for renewable energy, green hydrogen/green ammonia manufacturing and storage.
  • Represented Red Sea Wind Energy S.A.E., a consortium comprising Engie, Toyota Tsusho and Orascom Construction, in connection with the development, design, construction, financing, operations and maintenance of a 500 MW wind power plant project located at the Gulf of Suez.
  • Represented Groupe SEB in connection with the negotiation of a power purchase agreement and related usufruct agreement with Infinity Power for the construction, operation and maintenance by Infinity Power of a rooftop solar power plant facility at Groupe SEB’s factory premises.

MHR & Partners in association with White & Case LLP

MHR & Partners in association with White & Case LLP offers in-depth regional and international experience and is regularly involved in the most complex and high value energy projects. The practice boasts a particularly varied client roster, consisting of major corporates, financial institutions and government bodies. Project finance specialist Ziad Gadalla commands a strong reputation for his energy and infrastructure expertise, while Sherief Rashed regularly acts for energy powerhouses across the Gulf. Focusing on upstream, midstream and downstream energy transactions, Bryan Cory is also highly knowledgeable on project development, corporate and construction matters. Tarek Mohanna is also a key contact, especially for the financing and development of petrochemical projects.

Practice head(s):

Ziad Gadalla; Tarek Mohanna; Sherief Rashed


Other key lawyers:

Bryan Cory


Key clients

Zakher Marine International


ADES Group


Carbon Holdings


Tahrir Petrochemicals Company


Egypt Hydrocarbon Corporation (EHC)


Sixth of October for Real Estate and Development (Sodic)


Egyptian Ethylene and Derivatives Company (Ethydco)


TCI Sanmar


African Export Import Bank (Afreximbank)


Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank


CI Capital


NI Capital


EFG Hermes


HSBC


Commercial International Bank


Banque Misr


European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)


Arab Petroleum Investments Cooperation


Arab African International Bank


Mediterranean Energy Partners


Work highlights


  • Advised ZMI Holdings, an owner and operator of self-propelled jack-up barges and a provider of offshore support vessels with operations in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and China, in its sale by Hassan El Ali to ADNOC, the Abu Dhabi government’s energy and petrochemicals holding company.
  • Advised ZMI Group, a major oil & gas services vessel operator/charterer, in connection with up to $500m multi-tiered senior secured financing.
  • Represented ADES Group in connection with the $1.6bn hybrid (conventional and Islamic) financing granted to ADES Arabia Holding JSC and ADES Saudi Limited Company for the refinancing of existing debt and financing recent major acquisitions.

Zaki Hashem & Partners, Attorneys at Law

Zaki Hashem & Partners, Attorneys at Law offers a pre-eminent energy practice in Egypt’s legal market, consistently handling major oil and gas, petrochemical, mining, electricity and renewables projects and transactions. Sameh Khodeir leads the practice, drawing on a strong track record settling oil and gas disputes, and on considerable expertise in arbitrations concerning petroleum exploration and production. He is provided substantial support by Sameh Kamal, especially in regards to complex and large scale infrastructure projects in the electricity and power sectors.

Practice head(s):

Sameh Khodeir


Other key lawyers:

Sameh Kamal


Testimonials

‘Deep knowledge and experience, a demonstrable track record of success and an excellent professional reputation.’

Key clients

Abdel Warith Consulting Engineers


Al Babtain Group


Andritz


Arabian Capital Investment and Finance Co.


Arabian International Company (AIC)


Ayady Group


Beltone Capital Red Sea Venture for Solar Energy


China State Construction Engineering Corporation Ltd. (CSCEC)


Commercial International Bank Egypt (CIB)


Edisson International


Egyptian Drilling Oil Services (EDOS)


Egyptian Kuwait Holding Co.


El Sewedy Capital Holding


El Sewedy Electric


IEOC


Infinity-e


INVAP Argentina


MHP Investments (Mauritius Fund)


Neptune Energy Egypt B.V. (Previously Engie)


NI Capital


Petrojet


Rapiscan Systems (Division of OSI Systems Group)


Ras Ghareb Wind Energy


RATP Dev SA


SMG Group


Solariz Egypt


The World Bank


Tharwa Petroleum Company


Work highlights


  • Advising Fortescue Future Industries (FFI) in a green hydrogen project that could generate up to 7,600 MW of renewable energy in Egypt.
  • Advised OCI in relation to an e-methanol green bunkering operation.

Riad & Riad

The ‘dedicated and experienced’ energy and project finance team at Riad & Riad is ‘highly knowledgeable’ in both local and cross-border finance transactions, having regularly acted for various clients across the renewable, oil and gas, and infrastructure sectors. Fatma Salah and Mohamed Riad are leading figures within the practice and offer extensive experience resolving energy-related disputes for local and international corporations. The team has also established a strong reputation for advising developers on solar and waste-to-energy projects.

Practice head(s):

Fatma Salah; Mohamed Riad


Testimonials

‘Fatma Salah is an extremely well prepared and skilled lawyer.’

‘We have worked with Riad & Riad on upstream matters. They are responsive and offer market and legal knowledge.’

‘Our primary contact is Fatma Salah. She is an impressive lawyer with quick turnaround times.’

‘Riad & Riad have a dedicated and experienced team that are highly knowledgeable and a pleasure to work with.’

Key clients

NERIC (National Egyptian Railway Industries Company)


GOPA Infra


ENAP Sipetrol Egypt


EBRD – European Bank for Reconstruction and Development


Al-Hokair Group


Eni, S.P.A


ECS (Energy and Contracting Solutions)


FAS Energy


British Petroleum (BP)


ExxonMobil


Maersk Drilling


GS E&C


Assystem for Engineering Services


Bombardier Alstom


Taisei


AVIC International


Saraya


CMS Law Firm


NORINCO International Cooperation Ltd


Work highlights


  • Advising Kuwait Energy Egypt in relation to the indirect assignment of Abu Sennan concession agreement with EGPC.
  • Advising Exxon Mobil in relation to a Master LNG Sales and Purchase Agreements with an Egyptian counterparty.
  • Advising the buyer, SPIC Huanghe Hydropower Development Co., Ltd, in a potential acquisition of a majority shares in a target company that holds the development rights of 500 MW PV project in Egypt.
  • Advising HiiROC, an equipment supplier and technology developer headquartered in the United Kingdom, in its potential hydrogen project in Egypt.
  • Providing legal advice about the procurement methods that are available under Egyptian law in relation to the project “Energy Efficiency – Accompanying Measures in Egyptian Universities” for the Supreme Council of Universities (SCU) in its capacity as the Project Executing Agency.

Shahid Law Firm

Shahid Law Firm is notable for its strength in oil and gas and mineral resources work, advising on a broad range of mandates which include drafting agreements, project financings and regulatory advice. Energy disputes specialist Girgis Abd El-Shahid leads the practice, servicing a broad range of clients, such as international exploration and production companies, civil engineering firms, transportation services and ministries.

Practice head(s):

Girgis Abd El-Shahid


Key clients

EDF International Networks


Globeleq Africa Limited


New & Renewable Energy Authority


PTT Energy Resources Company Limited (‘PTTER’)


Varel Egypt


Work highlights


  • Representing EDF in the negotiations with Egypt’s state-run New Administrative Capital Company for Urban Development (ACUD) for the entry into a joint venture for electricity distribution in the new capital.

Sharkawy & Sarhan Law Firm

Sharkawy & Sarhan Law Firm provides ‘a very reliable and good service’ and regularly acts for key players in the projects, infrastructure and renewable energy space. Mohamed Nabil Hazzaa heads the power and renewables department and brings expertise to advising on regulatory aspects of power and utilities projects, while oil and gas head Heba Anwar Raslan draws on a proven track record in big-ticket mining transactions.

Practice head(s):

Mohamed Nabil Hazzaa; Heba Anwar Raslan


Testimonials

‘We have used Sharkawy for many years on energy and natural resources work and they provide a very reliable and good service.’

‘I really like the S&S team in Cairo. Young, dynamic, commercial, inclusive and proudly Egyptian. All of them speak and work fluently in English, with foreign qualifications and experience.’

Key clients

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)


International Finance Corporation (IFC)


Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)


The OPEC Fund for International Development (OPEC Fund)


The African Development Bank (AfDB)


Vodafone Egypt for Telecommunications


TransGlobe Energy


Ieoc Production, a unit of ENI


Neptune Energy Group Limited


NOMAC Nile Energy


NOMAC Egypt Energy


Nomac Benban for Solar Energy


Kuwait Foreign Petroleum Exploration Company (KUFPEC)


Qatar Energy (QP)


Work highlights


  • Advising the International Finance Corporation (IFC), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and FMO to the financing of a solar power project on a Build-Own-Operate (BOO) scheme in Egypt.
  • Advising a number of banks and international financial institutions including the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the OPEC Fund for International Development (the OPEC Fund) and the African Development Bank (AfDB) on the financing of a 200 MW solar power plant on a BOO scheme located in Kom Ombo Aswan and developed by Acwa Power.

ADSERO-Ragy Soliman & Partners

A local law firm with strong knowledge of the market and local environment’, ADSERO-Ragy Soliman & Partners brings strength to matters involving the laws and regulations of waste management. In recent times, the practice has seen an increase in the number of mandates representing private sector companies in the mining sector. Malak Khalil, who was promoted to partner in October 2023, heads the practice, offering a broad range of expertise that spans renewables, oil and gas and energy infrastructure.

Practice head(s):

Malak Khalil


Testimonials

‘Reliable and very professional.’

‘Highly knowledgable of regulations relevant to the field of waste management.’

‘Extremely dedicated individuals. Malak Khalil is a superstar in her field, and her cadence and client management skills are beyond expectations.’

‘Smart, knowledgeable and keen on the matters they are working on.’

Work highlights


  • Acted as external local counsel to EBRD in signing their latest green project with Abou Ghaly Motors (AGM) to expand AGM’s fleet of electric London cab vehicles.