On a daily basis, Gide teams are called upon by governments, independent generators, power-intensive industries, constructors, network operators, investment funds and financial institutions to work on all types of infrastructure projects, covering the entire spectrum of energy generation: nuclear energy, thermal and hydroelectric power and renewable energies.

Gide is involved in the drafting of legislation for this sector, as well as in legal auditing, competitive bidding, drafting and negotiating generation, construction, operation and energy purchasing contracts, and in the structuring and implementation of financing agreements.

Gide is often involved in international power and energy projects in Africa, Brazil and the UK; it also has strong oil and gas and natural resources experience in Africa and Mongolia. The firm is also a key player for regulatory and litigation work and renewable energy projects in France, and is advising the winning consortium on Cestas’ 300MW photovoltaic solar project. EDF, Areva and Engie are also clients. John Crothers, François Krotoff and Stéphane Vernay are the key contacts for international projects, with Michel Guénaire and Thomas Courtel being recommended for domestic work..

Legal 500 EMEA 2016

Experience includes:

• Nuclear power plants, United Kingdom, India and China: advising Areva on projects for the construction and provision of third generation EPR-type nuclear reactors (1600 MWe) and the supply of fuel
   
• Energy wholesale purchase, Exeltium, France: advising 26 French power-intensive industries on virtual drawing rights from EDF’s 24-year-old historical nuclear fleet (140 TWh)
   
• Off-shore wind turbines, France: advising a consortium on calls for tenders for the construction and operation of off-shore wind turbines, off the coast of Tréport and the isles of Yeu and Noirmoutier (2 x 500 MW)
   
• Ashegoda wind farm, Ethiopia: advising banks (commercial banks, credit-export agency and multilateral lenders) on the financing of a wind farm’s construction in Ethiopia (210 million euros)
   
• Gas-powered power plant, Mauritania: Advising the government, SOMELEC and mining operators for the construction of electrical power plants (350 MW)
   
• Solar power plant, Morocco: advising the Moroccan Agency for Solar Energy on a solar energy project (500MW)
   
• Combined cycle power plant, France: advising sponsors on the construction of a combined cycle thermal power plant (500MW)
   
• Laibin B BOT, China: advising the government of Guanxi province on a pilot BOT project for a 700MW thermal power plant
   
• Triple fuel electricity power plant, Togo: advising sponsors on financing the first project in Togo and the first independent energy production project. Elected African Power Deal of the Year 2009 by Project Finance Magazine.

Experienced team dealing with both contractual and regulatory aspects of energy and mining. Gains high praise for its expertise regarding electricity on the French market and its experience in contentious work. 'The lawyers are very responsive with excellent knowledge of the market players and an ability to find solutions respecting the interests of the client.' Work highlights: Advised the EGL and its three contracting states, Burundi, the DRC and Rwanda, on the development of a 147MW hydropower plant on the Ruzizi river.

Chambers Europe 2016