Jason van der Poel heads up the project finance and development practice at Webber Wentzel, and is very well known for assisting lenders, sponsors and contractors with limited recourse project financings, power purchase agreements and public-private partnerships. Calvin Nchabeleng advises state-owned entities, private entities and governments on infrastructure and energy projects, and has particular strength in assisting private sector client with private power purchase transactions. Hielien Venter‘s broad practice takes in assisting energy, water, and transport sector entities with all aspects of infrastructure projects. Mmotlana Kgoadi brings expertise in handling project development for project finance transactions. Makgati Makgatho is well versed in assisting cross-border state entities with public-private partnerships relating to prominent infrastructure projects, and Emma Bleeker lends support on limited recourse project finance transactions and power purchase agreements. Danielle van der Vaart joined the team in April 2024.

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Key clients

  • Envusa Energy Proprietary Limited
  • Sasol South Africa Limited
  • Exxaro Resources Limited
  • Department of Public Works and Infrastructure
  • Department of Mineral Resources and Energy ("DMRE") acting through the IPP Office
  • Globeleq South Africa Management Services (Pty) Ltd
  • Qatar Holding LLC ("Qatar")
  • Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA)
  • Rand Merchant Bank
  • Seriti Green
  • Huayou Cobalt

Work highlights

  • Assisted Sasol and  Air Liquide Large Industries South Africa with two power purchase agreements for receiving a long-term supply of renewable energy from TotalEnergies and Mulilo Energy Holdings.
  • Acting for the Development Bank of Southern Africa Ltd in relation to a multi-currency loan facility to be provided to the East African Development Bank, for the purposes of on-lending to infrastructure projects across its member states, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda.

Lawyers

Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Emma Bleeker
Webber Wentzel
Makgati Makgatho
Webber Wentzel
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Jason van der Poel

Other key lawyers

Hielien Venter, Calvin Nchabeleng, Mmotlana Kgoadi, Makgati Makgatho, Emma Bleeker, Tshepang Mphela, Danielle van der Vaart