Alistair Young

Advising Cennergi in respect of its Lephalale photovoltaic (PV) project, which entails the development, financing, construction and operation of a circa 80MW PV plant that will supply the Grootegeluk mine with energy under a long-term power purchase agreement. The project is part of Exxaro's decarbonisation strategy with a gradual diversification away from the coal generated electricity and by investing in growth in clean energy.  As part of conducting a due diligence process, our team is responsible for assisting and advising on all necessary consents and permits that are required for financial close.  The mandate has also extended to providing additional assistance with project development. 

Advising Engie as the purchaser in the proposed sale and the proposed-on sale of the entire shareholding interest in the target or by certain of the target's wholly-owned subsidiaries of their entire shareholding in various of the target's wholly-owned subsidiaries to Engie. Furthermore, the proposed on-sale by Engie of all of the shares held by the target group in the Kipeto Project Company (or the Kipeto Project Company's holding company) to Meridiam following the implementation of the proposed transaction.  In this matter, we played a significant role in setting out the high level key aspects of environmental law compliance in respect of each of the relevant members of the target group.  The environmental legal assessment pertained to a number of operational projects of the target, including Golden Valley Project, Kipeto Project, Konkonsies Project and MSP Solar.

Drafting and presenting the environmental findings of due diligence investigations for lenders and investors regarding wind and solar (concentrated and photovoltaic) projects associated with the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme as well as coal independent power producer projects and the funding of new mine projects.

Drafting environmental and health and safety sections of both vendor and red flag due diligence reports relating to a wide spectrum of industries in sectors including but not limited to retail, food and beverage manufacturing, waste management, import, manufacture and distribution of hazardous chemical substances, mining, medical, petroleum, small-scale household and industrial solar energy and aviation.

Advising and assisting a junior gold mining company with formulating responses to directives issued by the Department of Water and Sanitation in terms of section 53 of the National Water Act.

Formulating and developing environmental law course content and thereafter presenting the training sessions for clients in the mining and industrial sectors. The training courses covered a range of environmental law issues including water, waste, air quality, EIA, mining, director liability and biodiversity.

Assisting developers of renewable energy projects with the drafting of answering affidavits to judicial review applications initiated by interested and affected parties against the administrative decisions to grant environmental authorisations for renewable energy facilities.

Alistair has assisted various clients operating in different sectors with strategic environmental legal advice relating to environmental legal compliance in scenarios where compliance action has been threatened or initiated.