Werksmans Attorneys‘ projects and infrastructure practice houses ’a well rounded team with extensive expertise‘. IPP and PPP procurement projects have been prominent in the group’s workload, and the department has a solid track record in handling infrastructure projects across the water, mining, energy, defence, road and rail sectors. Practice head Chris Moraitis��has experience in advising on infrastructure project matters and public-private partnerships, and leverages his expertise in banking to assist with project and limited resource financing matters. Astrid Berman advises on all areas of infrastructure projects. Jonathan Behr’s expertise spans private IPP projects, project development matters and energy-focused financing transactions.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘The team mixes tremendous experience, pragmatism, commercialism and legal expertise. They're also time conscious which is very important.’

  • 'Chris Moraitis and Jonathan Behr are especially impressive.’
  • ‘The team covers all aspects of project finance; they can undertake work on behalf of sponsors, offtakers and lenders. All the lawyers are extremely experienced and helpful, and they are able to identify and resolve issues to ensure that transactions succeed.’

  • ‘Chris Moraitis is able to navigate issues to ensure the success of the transactions.'

  • 'Astrid Berman is very knowledgeable on finance issues and able to break issues down to ensure understanding and an easy resolution.'

Key clients

  • Korea Electric Power Corporation
  • Vulindlela holdings
  • Marubeni Corporation
  • Nedbank Limited
  • African Renewable Energy Developments (ACED)
  • Old Mutual Life Assurance Company (South Africa) Limited
  • Public Investment Corporation
  • Raubex
  • Standard Bank
  • South African National Roads Agency
  • Thungela Resources Limited
  • Vestas
  • WBHO Construction (Pty) Ltd
  • EDF Renewables
  • Rand Merchant Bank

Work highlights

  • Advised Old Mutual and ACED on a 30MW solar PV project, with corporate power purchase agreements with a large mining house.
  • Advised ACED and Old Mutual equity investment in the 69MW Msenge Wind renewable energy facility to supply energy under a PPA to Sasol South Africa Limited.
  • Acted for the AIIM consortium, made up of African Infrastructure Investment Managers, through its renewable energy project development and delivery platform, African Clean Energy Developers and Reatile Renewables, in the successful financial closing of the 89MW Castle Wind Farm project, which will deliver power to Sibanye-Stillwater.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Chris Moraitis

Other key lawyers

Jonathan Behr, Astrid Berman