About

Since beginning operations in 2008 by establishing a 600MW combined cycle gas power plant in Peru, Andes Mining & Energy has expanded dramatically across the region, currently operating over 4000MW of energy projects in Chile and Peru, with 3200MW worth of gas and renewable projects in Chile alone. Such dramatic growth would not have been possible without its highly capable, tight-knit team of legal professionals, which is there to help the company deal with its various legal and compliance challenges. One recent example of the team’s contribution came in January 2017, when the team allowed the company to deal with a major setback in one of its main projects. ‘The environmental permit was revoked by the Supreme Court due to an indigenous consultation that, in the court’s opinion, was inadequately concluded,’ articulates Hernán Felipe Velasco, a legal counsel in the team. ‘That event was very serious for our company but, after hard and dedicated work, we have been able to recover, and currently be stronger and [more] prepared than before to deal with the changes that the energy market of Chile is experiencing’. Over the last two years, the team led by legal development projects head Sarah Birrell has also contributed to the completion of several important energy projects in Chile, including the development of innovative technologies (Project Octopus, Project Chacao, Santiago Solar Project, Puelche Project, among others). The team has also been key to several project financing processes which, in total, correspond to approximately $1.5bn. The team is comprised of three exceptional legal professionals Sarah Birrell, Emma Denehy and Hernán Felipe Velasco, who have all individually made a strong impression during this year’s research process.