Contact

Projects & Energy

CDH has experience across a broad spectrum of project related matters. We have been extensively involved in infrastructure and project finance, public private partnerships and energy projects in Southern Africa and across the African continent.

Energy Sector Services

Our expertise has grown in tandem with the need for infrastructure improvements in Africa and the heightened global focus on the continent as an investment destination. Our services include:

  • Project financing.
  • Procurement.
  • Public-private partnerships.
  • Drafting and negotiating contractual documents.
  • Construction and engineering.
  • Oil and gas.
  • Energy.

Energy Sector Brochures

Projects & Energy
Projects & Energy

Services

Energy Sector Services

Our expertise has grown in tandem with the need for infrastructure improvements in Africa and the heightened global focus on the continent as an investment destination. Our services include:

  • Project financing.
  • Procurement.
  • Public-private partnerships.
  • Drafting and negotiating contractual documents.
  • Construction and engineering.
  • Oil and gas.
  • Energy.

Brochures

Energy Sector Brochures

Projects & Energy
Projects & Energy

Projects & Energy Lawyers

Our Projects & Energy team has substantial experience in diverse infrastructure projects, project finance, PPPs, energy and oil and gas sector assignments in Kenya, Sub-Saharan Africa and across the rest of the African continent.

Our Projects & Energy Lawyers
SECTOR HEADS
Andrew van Niekerk

Andrew van Niekerk

Director, Joint Sector Head +27 (0)21 481 6491andrew.vanniekerk@cdhlegal.com
Tessa Brewis

Tessa Brewis

Director, Joint Sector Head +27 (0)21 481 6324tessa.brewis@cdhlegal.com

Our Work

Featured

Our team is representing SAPP, the electrical energy co-operation in Southern Africa, under the auspices of the SADC
Projects & Energy

Our team is representing SAPP, the electrical energy co-operation in Southern Africa, under the auspices of the SADC

Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr is representing Southern African Power Pool (SAPP), the electrical energy co-operation in Southern Africa, under the auspices of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

All

Bookrunner/ JLMS

Local Currency Loan Deal of the Year in our capacity as Legal Adviser to the Bookrunner/ JLMS on the City of Cape Town ZAR 3.5 bn term loan.

AMEA Power

Power Finance Deal of the Year for our role as Legal Adviser to Issuer on the AMEA Power ZAR 2.09 bn financing of 120MW solar photovoltaic project.

Infinity Power / Lekela Power

M&A Deal of the Year in our capacity as Legal Adviser to the Bookrunner/ JLMS on the Infinity Power / Lekela Power matter.

Eco (Atlantic) Oil and Gas

CDH represented Eco (Atlantic) Oil and Gas, listed on Toronto Venture Exchange and London AIM.  Our South Africa-based projects & infrastructure team advised Eco (Atlantic) Oil and Gas on its acquisition of Azinam Group.  The acquisition resulted in the issuance to Azinam Holdings of, in aggregate, 40,170,474 common shares (the new issue), providing Azinam Holdings with 16.5 per cent of Eco's share capital as enlarged by such issue (enlarged share capital), providing for a cashless acquisition to become the sole owner of Azinam's entire African portfolio. 

The National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (NAMCOR)

Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr represented NAMCOR, the Namibia-based national oil company.   Our South Africa-based projects & infrastructure team advised on NAMCOR's acquisition of oil producing asset in Angola from Sonangol Pesquisa E Produção.  This was achieved through the incorporation of a UK SPV,  Sungara Energies (Sungara), which in turn entered into an agreement with Sonangol to purchase a 10 per cent participating interest in Block 15/06, 40 per cent participating interest in Block 23 (with operatorship), and 35 per cent participating interest in Block 27 (the Transaction).  

Newcastle Energy

CDH is representing Newcastle Energy, the leading Australia-based proprietary company.  Our South Africa-based projects & infrastructure team is advising Newcastle Energy, as IPP counsel, on a 100MW embedded generation gas power project whereby Newcastle Energy will sell energy to third-party offtakers.  

Eco (Atlantic) Oil and Gas; Azinam Limited; Ricocure (Pty) Ltd

Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr represented Eco (Atlantic) Oil and Gas (listed on TSXV and AIM), a leading Canada-based oil & gas exploration company; Ricocure, the leading South Africa-based oil and gas exploration company; and the current trustees of the Lunn Family Trust.  Our South Africa-based projects & energy team advised clients in relation to the acquisition by Eco (Atlantic) Oil and Gas (through wholly owned UK entity Azinam) of additional 6.25 per cent participating interest (PI) in the exploration right referenced 12/3/339 from the Lunn Family Trust, one of the shareholders of Ricocure (Proprietary) (Ricocure) (the Acquisition).

FATA

CDH is representing FATA, the leading Italy-based global company which operates in the field of plant engineering, procurement and construction.  Our South Africa-based projects & energy team is advising FATA as EPC counsel in respect of a renewable private sector IPP project being developed by Mulilo in South Africa. This is a critical and market-shaping project, as it will be one a of a handful of pioneering private sector independent power producer projects that would seek to create a lesser dependence on the purchase of power from Eskom and would seek to reduce the current grid and power load constraints affecting South Africa at large, thereby ensuring greater energy stability and security for South Africa.  

Broadreach

CDH represented Broadreach, the leading South Africa-based player in the energy sector and a portfolio company of private equity fund Metier Sustainable Capital Fund II.  Our South Africa-based projects & energy team advised Broadreach on its acquisition from Enertronica, the leading Italy-based company, of an indirect 35 per cent interest in Sertum Energy, which owns the 6MW Trekkopje Solar Plant in Namibia.  We also advised Broadreach in respect of the funding for the transaction and the refinancing of the Bank Windhoek funding.  

Puma Energy Tanzania; and Puma Energy South Africa

CDH is advising Puma Energy Tanzania, a subsidiary of Puma Energy, the leading Switzerland-based global mid- and downstream oil company.  Our South Africa-based projects & energy team is advising Puma Energy Tanzania on a matter relating to an agreement between Puma Energy and the Petroleum Bulk Procurement Agency of Tanzania (the Agency), which concluded an importation contract in compliance with Petroleum (Bulk Procurement) Regulations 2017 GN No. 198 of 2017 (Petroleum Regulations) and the Petroleum Act, 21 of 2015 (Petroleum Act) to import petroleum products into Tanzania.

Arcelor Mittal South Africa

CDH is representing Arcelor Mittal South Africa, the leading steel producer in Africa.  Our South Africa-based projects & infrastructure team is advising Arcelor Mittal South Africa as sponsor/developer counsel on the development of a 100MW embedded generation private sector photovoltaic power project, in the Gauteng of South Africa, and a 100MW embedded generation private sector wind project in the Western Cape of South Africa, which will supply electricity in accordance with a long-term power purchase agreement.  

Richard Bay Gas Power 2 Pty Ltd

Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr is representing Richard Bay Gas Power 2, the South Africa-based gas power plant.  Our South Africa-based projects & infrastructure team is advising Richards Bay Gas Power 2 (Richards Bay) on the judicial review application brought by Groundwork Trust and South Durban Community Environmental Alliance against the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment; the Chief Director: Integrated Environmental Authorisations Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment; and Richards Bay, for granting an environmental authorisation a gas facility with a maximum export capacity of 400MW to be developed by Richards Bay. The matter involves Groundwork seeking an order to set aside the decision by the Minister to grant an environmental authorisation to Richards Bay for the establishment of a Gas to Power Project.  

Our Work

Our team is representing SAPP, the electrical energy co-operation in Southern Africa, under the auspices of the SADC
Projects & Energy

Our team is representing SAPP, the electrical energy co-operation in Southern Africa, under the auspices of the SADC

Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr is representing Southern African Power Pool (SAPP), the electrical energy co-operation in Southern Africa, under the auspices of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

Bookrunner/ JLMS

Local Currency Loan Deal of the Year in our capacity as Legal Adviser to the Bookrunner/ JLMS on the City of Cape Town ZAR 3.5 bn term loan.

AMEA Power

Power Finance Deal of the Year for our role as Legal Adviser to Issuer on the AMEA Power ZAR 2.09 bn financing of 120MW solar photovoltaic project.

Infinity Power / Lekela Power

M&A Deal of the Year in our capacity as Legal Adviser to the Bookrunner/ JLMS on the Infinity Power / Lekela Power matter.

Eco (Atlantic) Oil and Gas

CDH represented Eco (Atlantic) Oil and Gas, listed on Toronto Venture Exchange and London AIM.  Our South Africa-based projects & infrastructure team advised Eco (Atlantic) Oil and Gas on its acquisition of Azinam Group.  The acquisition resulted in the issuance to Azinam Holdings of, in aggregate, 40,170,474 common shares (the new issue), providing Azinam Holdings with 16.5 per cent of Eco's share capital as enlarged by such issue (enlarged share capital), providing for a cashless acquisition to become the sole owner of Azinam's entire African portfolio. 

The National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (NAMCOR)

Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr represented NAMCOR, the Namibia-based national oil company.   Our South Africa-based projects & infrastructure team advised on NAMCOR's acquisition of oil producing asset in Angola from Sonangol Pesquisa E Produção.  This was achieved through the incorporation of a UK SPV,  Sungara Energies (Sungara), which in turn entered into an agreement with Sonangol to purchase a 10 per cent participating interest in Block 15/06, 40 per cent participating interest in Block 23 (with operatorship), and 35 per cent participating interest in Block 27 (the Transaction).  

Newcastle Energy

CDH is representing Newcastle Energy, the leading Australia-based proprietary company.  Our South Africa-based projects & infrastructure team is advising Newcastle Energy, as IPP counsel, on a 100MW embedded generation gas power project whereby Newcastle Energy will sell energy to third-party offtakers.  

Eco (Atlantic) Oil and Gas; Azinam Limited; Ricocure (Pty) Ltd

Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr represented Eco (Atlantic) Oil and Gas (listed on TSXV and AIM), a leading Canada-based oil & gas exploration company; Ricocure, the leading South Africa-based oil and gas exploration company; and the current trustees of the Lunn Family Trust.  Our South Africa-based projects & energy team advised clients in relation to the acquisition by Eco (Atlantic) Oil and Gas (through wholly owned UK entity Azinam) of additional 6.25 per cent participating interest (PI) in the exploration right referenced 12/3/339 from the Lunn Family Trust, one of the shareholders of Ricocure (Proprietary) (Ricocure) (the Acquisition).

FATA

CDH is representing FATA, the leading Italy-based global company which operates in the field of plant engineering, procurement and construction.  Our South Africa-based projects & energy team is advising FATA as EPC counsel in respect of a renewable private sector IPP project being developed by Mulilo in South Africa. This is a critical and market-shaping project, as it will be one a of a handful of pioneering private sector independent power producer projects that would seek to create a lesser dependence on the purchase of power from Eskom and would seek to reduce the current grid and power load constraints affecting South Africa at large, thereby ensuring greater energy stability and security for South Africa.  

Broadreach

CDH represented Broadreach, the leading South Africa-based player in the energy sector and a portfolio company of private equity fund Metier Sustainable Capital Fund II.  Our South Africa-based projects & energy team advised Broadreach on its acquisition from Enertronica, the leading Italy-based company, of an indirect 35 per cent interest in Sertum Energy, which owns the 6MW Trekkopje Solar Plant in Namibia.  We also advised Broadreach in respect of the funding for the transaction and the refinancing of the Bank Windhoek funding.  

Puma Energy Tanzania; and Puma Energy South Africa

CDH is advising Puma Energy Tanzania, a subsidiary of Puma Energy, the leading Switzerland-based global mid- and downstream oil company.  Our South Africa-based projects & energy team is advising Puma Energy Tanzania on a matter relating to an agreement between Puma Energy and the Petroleum Bulk Procurement Agency of Tanzania (the Agency), which concluded an importation contract in compliance with Petroleum (Bulk Procurement) Regulations 2017 GN No. 198 of 2017 (Petroleum Regulations) and the Petroleum Act, 21 of 2015 (Petroleum Act) to import petroleum products into Tanzania.

Arcelor Mittal South Africa

CDH is representing Arcelor Mittal South Africa, the leading steel producer in Africa.  Our South Africa-based projects & infrastructure team is advising Arcelor Mittal South Africa as sponsor/developer counsel on the development of a 100MW embedded generation private sector photovoltaic power project, in the Gauteng of South Africa, and a 100MW embedded generation private sector wind project in the Western Cape of South Africa, which will supply electricity in accordance with a long-term power purchase agreement.  

Richard Bay Gas Power 2 Pty Ltd

Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr is representing Richard Bay Gas Power 2, the South Africa-based gas power plant.  Our South Africa-based projects & infrastructure team is advising Richards Bay Gas Power 2 (Richards Bay) on the judicial review application brought by Groundwork Trust and South Durban Community Environmental Alliance against the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment; the Chief Director: Integrated Environmental Authorisations Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment; and Richards Bay, for granting an environmental authorisation a gas facility with a maximum export capacity of 400MW to be developed by Richards Bay. The matter involves Groundwork seeking an order to set aside the decision by the Minister to grant an environmental authorisation to Richards Bay for the establishment of a Gas to Power Project.  

Projects & Energy News

More news
14 May 2025 Article

Amended National Treasury Regulation 16 for Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) versus Private Sector Participation (PSPs)

The amendments to Treasury Regulation 16 for Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) which comes into effect on 1 June 2025 represent a positive step towards revitalising the PPP landscape for institutions defined under the PFMA in South Africa. By streamlining approvals for smaller projects and providing a clearer framework for unsolicited proposals, the Government aims to attract greater private sector participation and investment in much-needed infrastructure within these institutions’ responsibilities.  However, certain challenges and areas for further attention remain. And the delayed finalisation of the municipal PPP regulations could create short-term inconsistencies and uncertainties for local government PPP initiatives.
18 Jun 2025 Article

Land, lines and the law: What the new Expropriation Act means for property on transmission routes

South Africa is embarking on a major expansion of its energy grid, which requires thousands of kilometres of new transmission lines. For this to happen, the state will need to acquire land or rights over land, much of which is privately owned.
10 Apr 2025 Article

Opportunity to connect: Section 34 determination and draft regulations pave the way for private sector involvement in new electricity transmission infrastructure

The lack of adequate grid capacity is a critical risk that continues to significantly stall progress in the implementation of South Africa’s energy transition, especially in respect of the uptake of renewable energy. The market first came to understand the true extent of grid capacity constraints at the end of 2022, when only 1,000 MW out of a possible 5,2 GW was awarded under Bid Window 6 of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme(REIPPPP). 

Market recognition

Projects & Energy team is externally praised for its depth of resources, capabilities and experience.

 

  • Chambers Global 2022–2025 ranked our Projects & Energy sector in Band 4 for projects & energy.
  • Chambers Global 2017–2021 ranked our Projects & Energy sector in Band 3 for projects & energy.
  • The Legal 500 EMEA 2009–2025 recommended us in Tier 2 for projects & infrastructure.
  • IFLR1000 2017–2023 ranked our practice in Tier 2 for project finance. IFLR1000 2019–2021 ranked our project development: oil and gas team in Tier 3.
  • IFLR1000 2017–2024 ranked our practice in Tier 2 for project development: energy; and project development: infrastructure and in Tier 1 in 2023.

Market recognition

Projects & Energy team is externally praised for its depth of resources, capabilities and experience.

 

  • Chambers Global 2022–2025 ranked our Projects & Energy sector in Band 4 for projects & energy.
  • Chambers Global 2017–2021 ranked our Projects & Energy sector in Band 3 for projects & energy.
  • The Legal 500 EMEA 2009–2025 recommended us in Tier 2 for projects & infrastructure.
  • IFLR1000 2017–2023 ranked our practice in Tier 2 for project finance. IFLR1000 2019–2021 ranked our project development: oil and gas team in Tier 3.
  • IFLR1000 2017–2024 ranked our practice in Tier 2 for project development: energy; and project development: infrastructure and in Tier 1 in 2023.

Happy Clients

Chambers Global 2025

“The firm has the ability to unpack complex finance or contract structures, making it easier for us as a client to follow the topics and critical points.”

Chambers Global 2025
Chambers Global 2025

“The lawyers in the team are always extremely knowledgeable and the firm offers specialists whenever needed.”

Chambers Global 2025
The Legal 500 EMEA 2025

“Very professional, responsive lawyers who will always go the extra mile for clients.”

The Legal 500 EMEA 2025

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