Team size: six

What are the most significant cases or transactions that you have been involved in over the past year?

Our legal team has been engaged in advancing a diverse portfolio of clean energy projects in Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Australia and New Zealand. These projects span the entire lifecycle – from greenfield origination, through to land acquisition and permitting, to construction and ultimately commercial operations – all of which bring their own unique complexities.

Further, navigating evolving regulatory requirements across the region also requires that the team members draw upon their extensive experience in areas such as project development and finance, M&A, construction (EPC), procurement and structuring. Together with our broader team, we work with our technical, commercial and investment colleagues to integrate our cross-functional expertise to ensure we are navigating our projects in a manner consistent with ESG factors (including community and stakeholder engagement) to drive forward energy transitions in our markets.

A standout transaction has been our legal team’s involvement in the project development and financing of a portfolio of our greenfield solar projects in New Zealand. For the financing aspect, we have partnered with Westpac under their Sustainable Lending Programme and have structured the financing to align with the Asia Pacific Loan Market Association (APLMA) Green Loan Principles 2023. Covering four solar projects, with a total capacity of 180MW, this portfolio has been particularly significant it is represents the first fully merchant, non-recourse portfolio financing for solar projects by a foreign investor in New Zealand.

What innovations have you made to the way your legal team works in the past year?

In the past year, our legal team have focused on embedding digital transformation across our legal processes to enhance efficiency and ensure scalability. Specifically, we have rolled out automated contract negotiation and management tools and digital process mapping to streamline our workflow. These innovations are critical as we expand our clean energy portfolio across the APAC region, enabling our team to efficiently handle an increasing number of transactions with speed and precision. At the same time, we continue to promote a collaborative cross-functional approach, working closely with technical, investment and commercial teams to deliver bespoke, innovative solutions for each project.

Our legal team also plays a key role in promoting ESG principles and integrating these into our clean energy project’s lifecycles. By combining technology with a strong focus on sustainability, we ensure that legal is not just a function that supports the business but is at the forefront of driving meaningful, long-term impact.

Based on your experience, what is the key to collaborating successfully with business partners?

Successful collaboration, in my experience, hinges on open communication, mutual respect, and a shared vision. Understanding the broader business context in which we are operating is essential, as legal advice should never be given in isolation but rather in close alignment with commercial objectives. In our ACE APAC legal team, we strive to be approachable and proactive, ensuring that we speak the same language as our business partners. This approach not only builds trust but also leads to more informed decision-making and smoother transactions.

Our collaboration with external counsel is also key. Clean energy transactions are complex and demanding, requiring specialist expertise to help navigate evolving regulatory frameworks and challenging commercial negotiations. But technical expertise in only one part of the equation. When we choose external counsel – we need well-rounded lawyers who mirror our collaborative approach so that we can trust them to help us appropriately manage our relationships with our various business partners.

I believe that empathy and fostering strong relationships across all teams – legal, investment and technical – are critical for success. Our legal team works to ensure that all our stakeholders feel heard and valued, which enables us to find creative solutions even in challenging circumstances. Ultimately, it is about building long-term, trusted relationships with both internal teams and external partners.

Apart from legal matters, has the team worked on other company initiatives you would like to highlight?

Beyond our legal duties, our legal team has been involved in driving ESG initiatives across the business. This includes our team playing a role in developing Aquila Clean Energy’s ESG strategy for the APAC region, including creating tools and frameworks to assess environmental and social risks throughout our clean energy projects’ lifecycle. These efforts ensure that we not only comply with regulatory requirements but also actively contribute to the sustainability of the communities we serve.

Additionally, our legal team has been involved in several community-focused initiatives, including volunteering with local organisations and contributing to programs that empower women in underrepresented communities. Our legal team members have led practical workshops focusing on communication and negotiation skills to equip participants to be their own advocates in the workplace. A further notable initiative has been our pro-bono review and negotiation of contracts, which has allowed us to deliver practical, valuable support while enabling non-profit entities to allocate their limited resources to mission-driven projects.