Herbert Smith Freehills' array of experienced partners represent a number of sponsors, utilities, governments, lenders, and contractors on some of the most diverse energy projects in Hong Kong and abroad. Hilary Lau heads the practice and has extensive experience of the projects and energy field, and has notably assisted the International Finance Corporation on its sustainability-linked investment. This project aims to set the stage for impactful ESG-driven investments in the waste management sector in emerging markets in Asia. Other leading figures of the practice include Calvin Ho, a veteran shipping and projects specialist, who has substantial experience in a range of cross-border transactions for some of the top energy and infrastructure companies in Hong Kong. Associate Yida Xu is also a key contact for international energy companies seeking to establish their presence in the APAC region.

Linklaters is at the forefront of renewable power projects, such as onshore and offshore wind, and low-carbon energies like hydrogen and solar. Working on its own, as well as ‘supplemented by access to one of the top global projects practices’, the group fields a multi-disciplinary projects team that collaborates frequently with its London office, providing expertise across various practice areas, including corporate M&A, finance, projects, capital markets, regulatory matters, and dispute resolution. In addition to supporting the development of major renewable energy projects in South Korea, Japan, and Vietnam, the firm continues to focus its expertise on Taiwan, advising lenders on solar and onshore wind portfolios, as well as other high-value M&A deals in the region. James McLaren co-heads the energy and infrastructure group and advises on transactions in emerging markets, with a particular focus on the financing of large-scale renewable energy projects in North Asia, while the ‘conscientious and dedicated’ Ying Fu specialises in advising on energy and natural resources M&A transactions.

With ‘in-depth knowledge’, the projects team at Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner regularly advises sponsors, lenders, developers, and procuring authorities on all aspects of development and investment in both regulated and unregulated markets. The firm’s offering is jointly chaired by Ilan Freiman, a power projects expert, and Andrew MacGeoch, who has over 30 years’ experience in handling energy and infrastructure projects, from power plants to stadia and exhibition centres. Working alongside them is New York-qualified Wayne Ma, noted for his real estate and project acquisition expertise, and particularly for renewables-related matters.

King & Wood Mallesons has a multi-disciplinary team that advises clients on a wide variety of transactions and disputes across the energy, infrastructure, and construction sectors. The practice assists with every stage of the lifecycle of a project, from front-end project development and construction drafting, to financing and corporate matters. Recent highlights for the team include advising West Kowloon Cultural District Authority on its 40 hectares project development. Sam Farrands is an expert in PPSs and infrastructure projects, and co-heads the practice with Wenjing Tian and Xiao Yong. Scott Gardiner has particular expertise in climate change, data, and energy mandates, and often advises on projects in these areas, while Jessica Zhou specialises in a range of loan financing work. Nicholas Molan, an energy sector specialist who acts for both private and public sector entities, is another key contact.

With a grasp of multi-jurisdictional energy projects in both a conventional and renewable context, Gibson Dunn‘s Hong Kong-based practice draws from its international network, handling mandates that span across the entire energy value chain, with a clientele featuring a variety of global energy companies and financial institutions. Heading the practice is Patricia Tan Openshaw with over 20 years’ experience acting primarily for Philippine and Southeast Asia-based clients on cross-border energy, M&A, and infrastructure transactions surrounding transportation, power, and telecoms sectors.