The projects and energy team at Herbert Smith Freehills regularly advises large Chinese infrastructure and construction companies, focusing on project finance while supporting clients through the life cycle of their project. The team in Hong Kong offers specialist greenfield project investment advice and maintains a strong reputation across sectors, primarily in oil & gas, nuclear energy, as well as shipping and aviation projects. Practice head, Hilary Lau, is noted for his enduring connections with both international and Chinese clients across the energy sector, offering multi-jurisdictional advice and regularly speaking on topics related to China’s Belt & Road initiative. The team is frequently engaged to advise on market entry, acquisition and divestments and restructurings of energy and natural resource assets.

Linklaters has developed a unique focus on renewable energy projects and green project financing to align with current market trends across the APAC region. The firm is a key contact for clients developing offshore wind deals in areas such as Taiwan, a current hotspot for offshore wind farms, as well as engaging with both lenders and investors on high-value project development. The team is supported by a strong corporate finance offering and has the capacity to advise on a wide range of issues arising in this area, including M&A, bidding trees, seed capital and restructurings. Practice head, James McLaren, and newly recruited partner, Ying Fu, ‘are key people when it comes to the financing of renewable energy in Asia’ and have continued to strengthen the firm’s energy and infrastructure offering.

King & Wood Mallesons has a strong project development focus and carries significant weight when advising on public and private partnership deals (PPPs) within Hong Kong. The team, led by Sam Farrands and new arrival Xiao Yong from Dechert, has acted for several government authorities with specific emphasis on infrastructure and energy development, such as Hong Kong’s first off-shore wind project, as well as advising conventional energy companies across all streams of development. The firm’s project strength is consolidated by its financing expertise as well as the strong multi-lingual capacity of its practitioners.

The multi-disciplinary energy and infrastructure team at Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner comprises practitioners across projects, infrastructure, corporate finance, construction and dispute resolution. The team has gained specific experience in renewables and is expanding its expertise in this area with increasing focus on renewable energy and power generation project developments including solar, wind, and biomass, as well as advising on distribution networks and supply management.  The team, led by Ilan Freiman, is also instructed by traditional oil and gas clients on M&A, joint venture and capital markets transactions.

Gibson Dunn  is regularly instructed on projects with a focus across Asia Pacific regional markets, including the Philippines, Indonesia and Vietnam. The firm advises on a variety of infrastructure and energy work in sectors such as transport, specifically rail systems, and power. Team head and key leading partner, Patricia Tan Openshaw, is respected for her experience in project development, combining her knowledge of energy and infrastructure assets with M&A and finance matters.