What are the most significant cases or transactions that your legal team has recently been involved in?

The most significant case we were involved in concerns the closing of the deal with Xuan Thien Group, one of the main developers in Vietnam, for the acquisition of two operating solar PV projects totalling 255 MWp which are under a 20-year PPA at US$93.5/MWh. I was a member of the working team to provide legal support at local level. The deal was reached for a total consideration of US$284m and it is expected to be a first step in the establishment of a long-term relationship between Xuan Thien Group and EDPR to jointly explore additional opportunities in the region. With such transaction, EDPR doubled its operational capacity in Vietnam, strengthening its presence in the Asia Pacific region, a market where it entered in 2021.

Could you share an example of a time when you came up with an innovation that improved how your legal team works and did not come at a large expense?

As in-house counsel, our team receives many requests from many teams, from giving legal advice to reviewing legal documents and contracts. We share the legal team’s knowledge and practical experiences across the teams in ways that make people’s lives easier and more efficient.

We standardise templates for some typical types of agreements in order to streamline the contract drafting. We automate, systematise, and virtualise, wherever practical, the documentation and other repetitive tasks such as those related to corporate secretarial activities.

How do you see the general counsel role evolving in Vietnam over the next five-ten years?

In the next five to ten years, I believe the role of general counsel will be much more evolutive.

Possessing strong legal expertise is obviously the most crucial qualification for being a general counsel. However, given the challenges of the uncertainties and constantly changing business and legal framework in Vietnam, risk management is also an important area of focus for general counsel, where they are required to anticipate and identify potential risks and suggest effective risk mitigation approaches. General counsel will also be expected to play a more important role in providing insights on legal and regulatory matters relating to their industry and offering pragmatic business suggestion and guidance to management.

What are some of the main trends impacting your industry in Vietnam?

Renewable energy is an inevitable solution and trend of the energy sector today in the world. In the context of combating climate change and developing a green economy, this is a top priority for many countries around the world. Realising the importance of the renewable energy industry, over the past years, the Vietnamese Government has issued many mechanisms and policies to encourage the development of renewable energy sources. Vietnam’s renewable energy sector is one of the most vibrant in Southeast Asia presenting significant opportunities for both domestic and foreign investors.