Inbound and Domestic Opportunities | Renewable and Clean Energy | Legal Services

About

Our team has detailed knowledge of renewable energy legislation in Japan and has hosted several seminars on the subject. We have long been involved in the wind power sector and our lawyers are members of the Japan Wind Power Association. We have also acted on numerous solar power projects under the new feed‑in tariff system for both Japanese and foreign companies. The group has extensive experience in combining our cross-practice expertise in project finance, real estate finance (eg, TK-GK structures) and asset-based finance to advise sponsors and lenders on renewable energy matters in Japan, dating back to the time of the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) laws. We have acted on over 100 projects with a combined capacity of over 2,000 MW in the last 5 years and are also heavily involved in many renewable IPP projects.

In addition, our Tokyo practice is part of the Firm’s preeminent Asia Pacific Renewable and Clean Energy Group, spanning 17 locations in 12 countries, including key jurisdictions such as Australia, China and South East Asia. We work closely with renewable energy lawyers in Baker McKenzie’s global network of over 46 countries, enabling us to stay abreast of the latest developments overseas. Our deep knowledge and understanding means that every project receives the benefit of lawyers who know the industry, the players and how to get deals done.

Representative Experience

Advised an international solar power company on the acquisition, development, sale and conclusion of EPC contracts for a 25.88 MW solar project in Iwate Prefecture.
Acted for a foreign solar projects developer on its acquisition of a 25 MW project in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan.
Acted for an international financial institution on its financing of a 31.2 MW solar power project in Gunma Prefecture, Japan, sponsored by an international independent solar power producer.
Advised an international energy company on the JPY10.98 billion non-recourse project financing of its 32 MW solar power generation facility in Kumenan City, Okayama Prefecture, Japan.
Acted on PFIs for various wind power projects in Japan totalling more than 150 MW, including Horonobe and Sarakitomanai, Hokkaido; Hibikinada, Kitakyushu; Rokkasho, Aomori; Misaki, Ehime; Akita Harbour & Hachiryu, Akita; and Wajima, Ishikawa.
Acted on PFIs for the Agatsuma (13 MW) and Mukaihama (20 MW) wood biomass projects.
Acted for a Japanese financial institution in relation to due diligence for a Japanese company’s acquisition of a hydroelectric power plant.
Advised a client on a PFI project in relation to a biomass power plant in Toyama Prefecture, Japan.
Acted for a developer on a PFI in relation to waste power generating facilities in Japan, including a clean energy project in Fukuoka and an RDF power generation project in Fukuyama.