Tessa Brewis
Tessa Brewis is a Director in our Banking, Finance & Projects practice and serves as Joint Sector Head for the Projects & Energy sector. With more than two decades of legal experience, Tessa advises on a wide range of local and cross-border projects and transactions.
Tessa has extensive experience in REIPPPP (since Round 1) and all other South African IPP programmes, project development, advising on project agreements, complex due diligences, local and cross border transactional advice, M&A, corporate finance, all facets of South African corporate and commercial law and has also advised sponsors on public-private partnerships. Her cross-sector knowledge and strategic insight have made her a trusted advisor to both local and international clients navigating dynamic regulatory and business landscapes.
About Tessa
About Tessa
Tessa began her legal career in 1999 as a Candidate Attorney and was admitted as an attorney, notary public, and conveyancer in 2001. She served as Programme Manager of the Non-Profit Law Programme at the Non-Profit Consortium from 2003 to 2006, demonstrating her commitment to public interest law and governance. She joined Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr (then Cliffe Dekker) as an Associate in 2007, quickly rising through the ranks to become a Senior Associate in 2008 and Director in 2011. Her diverse international background, including legal studies in Belgium and Scotland, and professional experience in London, enriches her global perspective and ability to advise clients with cross-jurisdictional needs.
Credentials
Credentials
Education
-
B Comm LLB, University of Stellenbosch
- International Legal Studies Certificate, University of Antwerp (Belgium)
- LLM, Aberdeen University (Scotland)(International Commercial Law)
- Year of admission as an attorney, notary public and conveyancer: 2001
- Registered with the Legal Practice Council
Languages
Languages
- Afrikaans
- English
About Tessa
Tessa began her legal career in 1999 as a Candidate Attorney and was admitted as an attorney, notary public, and conveyancer in 2001. She served as Programme Manager of the Non-Profit Law Programme at the Non-Profit Consortium from 2003 to 2006, demonstrating her commitment to public interest law and governance. She joined Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr (then Cliffe Dekker) as an Associate in 2007, quickly rising through the ranks to become a Senior Associate in 2008 and Director in 2011. Her diverse international background, including legal studies in Belgium and Scotland, and professional experience in London, enriches her global perspective and ability to advise clients with cross-jurisdictional needs.
Credentials
Education
-
B Comm LLB, University of Stellenbosch
- International Legal Studies Certificate, University of Antwerp (Belgium)
- LLM, Aberdeen University (Scotland)(International Commercial Law)
- Year of admission as an attorney, notary public and conveyancer: 2001
- Registered with the Legal Practice Council
Languages
- Afrikaans
- English
Experience
AMEA Power
Lead adviser to AMEA Power, the leading Dubai-based developer, owner and operator of renewable energy projects with a pipeline of over 6GW across 20 countries with the financial close of the 120MW Doornhoek Solar Project which was bid in BW6 of REIPPP, with a transaction value in excess of ZAR2 billion in 2024.
Enernet Global
Lead advisor to Enernet Global on the 15MW (with possible expansion to 50MW) solar PV facility for Black Mountain Mining
Broadreach Energy
Lead advisor to Broadreach Energy who designed the Energy System for the Newinbosch Housing estate in Stellenbosch, around a custom-built microgrid for the neighbourhood and energy sources include solar, grid supply, batteries and generators to ensure uninterrupted power.
Longyuan Renewables and Atlantic Energy Partners
Lead advisor to Longyuan Renewables and Atlantic Energy Partners on the project development and bidding of the 240MW Bothasig Project in Round 7 of REIPPP.
G7 Renewable Energy
Lead advisor to G7 Renewable Energy in respect of the disposal of a wind farm development.
Merchant Energy
Part of the team advising Merchant Energy on acquiring and bringing to financial close five utility scale solar PV projects.
Standard Bank
Part of the team advising Standard Bank on the financial close and debt funding of Cullinan Solar PV C&I Project
China Harbour Engineering Company Limited
China Harbour Engineering Company Limited in respect of its proposed private participation in the Durban Container Terminal Pier 2 project, with Transnet as the co shareholder.
Arcelor Mittal
Arcelor Mittal in respect of the development of a 200MW embedded generation Solar PV Project.
Scatec
Scatec in respect of its bid submissions for 9 Solar PV projects in BW 5 of REIPPP.
Pele Green Energy
Pele Green Energy in respect of its bid submissions for the Grootpoort and Sonvanger Projects in BW 5 of REIPPP.
Energy Exchange of Southern Africa
The Energy Exchange of Southern Africa in respect of embedded generation private sector renewable power projects, wheeling and trading arrangements.
Atlantis Foundries
Atlantis Foundries in respect of embedded generation private sector renewable power projects.
Shell Downstream South Africa (Pty) Ltd
Shell Downstream South Africa (Pty) Ltd in respect of embedded generation private sector renewable power projects.
Frog Foot Proprietary Limited
As part of the sponsor counsel team, Frog Foot Proprietary Limited in respect of embedded generation private sector renewable power projects.
Vutomi Energy (Pty) Ltd
As part of a team, Vutomi Energy (Pty) Ltd in respect of embedded generation private sector renewable power projects.
Broadreach Energy
Broadreach Energy in respect of utilities management services to body corporates and home owners' associations.
Broadreach Energy
Broadreach Energy in respect of an energy and water efficiency and cost savings product offering.
Old Mutual
Old Mutual in respect of the due diligence and bid to acquire equity in a wind, solar and battery hybrid project that was appointed as a preferred bidder in the Risk Mitigation IPP Procurement Programme.
Phakwe Power
Phakwe Power in respect of the acquisition of the Richards Bay Gas Power 2 Project and advising Richards Bay Gas Power 2 Proprietary Limited in respect of its bid in the in the RMIPPP.
AIIM
AIIM in respect of the due diligence of the Richards Bay Gas Power 2 Project.
Phakwe Power
Phakwe Power in respect of the acquisition of 39% in the Witkop Solar Project in 2018.
Metier Investment
Member of the team that advised Metier Investment and Advisory Services on acquisition of the Harbour House Group and lead the due diligence investigation process in 2015.
Médecins Sans Frontières
Advisor to Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors without Borders) on numerous matters including establishment of an entity in South Africa.
News
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...
Commencement of the Electricity Regulation Amendment Act 38 of 2024
The Electricity Regulation Amendment Act 38 of 2024 (ERA Act) was signed into law by the President of South Africa on 16 August 2024. On 18 December 2024, a governmental proclamation...
SA secures close to R20 billion loan from BRICS Bank: Opportunities for water infrastructure developers
With load-shedding seemingly under control for the present, securing access to water and sanitation services for South Africans appears to be the next looming issue. Gauteng’s bulk...
Tessa Brewis discusses her career and favourite sector to work in
Tessa Brewis, Director in the Corporate & Commercial practice was featured in the DealMakers Women 2024 Issue where she discusses her career and favourite sector toworkin.
Engineering News & Mining's Women in Industry
Tessa Brewis, Director in the Energy & Power sector, Alecia Pienaar, Counsel in the Environmental Sector, and Zodwa Malinga, Associate in the Construction & Engineering sector recently...
The new normal for mergers and acquisitions
Tessa Brewis, Director in our Corporate & Commercial practice joined Cape Talk to discuss the new normal for mergers and acquisitions. She elaborates on how the pandemic has affected...
Gender Parity in Private Equity
Directors in our Corporate and Commercial Practice, Nonhla Mchunu and Tessa Brewis, joined Cape Talk's Early Breakfast with Abongile Nzelenzele to discuss was "Gender Parity in Private...
Market recognition
- The Legal 500 EMEA 2021 - 2025 recommended Tessa for projects & infrastructure.
- IFLR1000 2022 and 2024 recommended Tessa as a highly regarded practitioner for Project Development.
Market recognition
- The Legal 500 EMEA 2021 - 2025 recommended Tessa for projects & infrastructure.
- IFLR1000 2022 and 2024 recommended Tessa as a highly regarded practitioner for Project Development.
Expertise
Banking, Finance & Projects
CDH brings commercially minded solutions to our clients on all matters relating to finance and banking.
Projects & Energy
We have an excellent understanding of the sector and use this to help clients maximise value and mitigate their risk.
Mergers & Acquisitions
CDH’s lawyers balance legal knowledge with commercial understanding to support our clients’ best interests.
The Companies Act
CDH is well positioned to help your company ensure compliance with the legislation. We also offer training tailored to your business needs to help you meet your obligations.
Corporate Governance
We provide a full corporate governance and regulation service within the Corporate and Commercial practice.