Emerging out of Cubillos Evans Abogados’ dissolution in late 2021, the ‘very good' Grupo Evans' sizeable energy and green hydrogen department is highly focused on power generation infrastructure projects, energy transmission lines, water desalination plants, aqueducts, and ports. The group is also increasingly active in matters involving hydrogen and green ammonia plants, as well as the M&A and financing aspects of energy and large-scale projects. Jointly leading the team, Eugenio Evans is a specialist in high-stakes projects, regulatory issues, and litigation before Chile’s regulators; José Miguel Hernández acts along the entire power value chain, his practice covering generation and transmission work, renewables, communities and indigenous law; while younger partner Cristóbal Illanes is an expert in wind and solar developments, as well as hydro projects, conventional power and utilities-related regulatory work. The second line of key advisers features of counsel and regulatory specialist Andrés Peñaloza; and at senior associate level, Gustavo Benítez is experienced in land and regulatory issues; and Rafael Fernández’s practice covers water rights, electrical concessions, easements, and negotiations with landowners. Other active associates are Macarena Cox, who focuses on energy permits and project development; projects and energy lawyer Andrea Duarte; and litigation department head Elías Soto. Since publication, the team has been further strengthened with the hire (from the Chilean Ministry of Energy) of Carolina Seeger as associate director of the firm's energy regulatory practice - effective as of April 2024.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'The Evans team is very good - very agile, committed, and with solid legal and industry knowledge.'
  • 'Analysis of matters with a global vision, and without losing sight of the details.’
  • ‘Eugenio Evans and of counsel Andrés Peñaloza form an extraordinary team and provide high-quality support, as well as being very available and friendly.'

Key clients

  • Engie
  • Cobún
  • Conexión Energía (Consortium Transelec + ISA)
  • Aes Andes
  • Besalco
  • Innergex
  • RTB
  • Sonnedix
  • Transmisora Eléctrica del Norte
  • GasValpo
  • Transelec
  • GTD Ingenieros
  • Empresas Gasco

Work highlights

  • Advised Innergex Renewables on the due diligences on assets tied to an issuance of green bonds (to refinance debt through a US private placement).
  • Assisted Transmisora Eléctrica del Norte (Engie+Redinter) with a legal report on a cost study produced by the authorities to determine the annual income to be received by one of Chile’s large transmission lines.
  • Advised AES Andes on the land studies required for the final energy permits for a large set of wind and solar farms.

Lawyers

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Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

José Miguel Hernández, Eugenio Evans, Cristóbal Illanes