The energy and infrastructure group at Clifford Chance draws on the firm’s international scope to advise on complex global project financings, portfolio and holding company financings and refinancings. The team is well versed in energy transition projects and combines the expertise of its project finance, project development, construction and commercial contracting teams to assist clients. The global financial markets team is led by Hein Tonnaer who leads on renewable energy-related project financings as well as on digital infrastructure finance matters. Corporate team lead Liesbeth Buiter handles a mix of renewable energy and infrastructure projects for utility companies, lenders, sponsors and project companies. Nanette Rutgers is noted for her expertise in company financings as well as onshore and offshore wind, solar and battery storage asset classes. Mike Niekoop is another key name in the practice.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Clifford Chance is a big law firm that excels in doing large deals. They are lenders' counsel for our project, and due to a big waiver request, we have worked more extensively together. I would recommend to use Clifford Chance for very big and complex projects.’
‘Niels Kuil is a junior associate but we are extremely impressed by the way he managed this process. It was a complicated process and Niels was both very fast in understanding all agreements and matters and managed the process with the lenders also exceptional.’
‘Really capable counsel for project financings and guarantee structures.’
‘Philip Walsh and Hein Tonnaer are stand-out partners. Excellent customer-centricity.'
‘Responsive, knowledgeable, kind and practical.’
Key clients
- EdgeConneX
- Rabobank
- SkyNRG BV
- CEE Group
- EnBW Energie Baden-Württemberg AG
- TotalEnergies
- Shell
- Energie Beheer Nederland
- Gasunie
- SMBC
Work highlights
Advised the export credit agencies (ECAs) and lenders on the $3.7bn project financing of the construction and operation of the 1,022MW Hai Long offshore wind farm project in Taiwan.
Advised underwriters and senior lenders on the sustainbility-linked €2.4bn porfolio (re)financing of European data centres owned and operated by EdgeConneX.
Advised LBBW on PowerField's circa €500m structure equity and portfolio project financing.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Hein Tonnaer
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Liesbeth Buiter
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Mike Niekoop
Practice head
Hein Tonnaer; Liesbeth Buiter
Other key lawyers
Nanette Rutgers; Mike Niekoop; Philip Walsh; Niels Kuil; Jaap Koster