Clifford Chance

Clifford Chance advises Actis on the establishment of Zuma Energy and on its first acquisition in Latin America

Leading international law firm Clifford Chance has advised emerging market private equity investor Actis on the establishment of Zuma Energy and on its first transaction in Latin America. Zuma Energy is a 600+ MW renewable energy platform in Mexico in a joint venture between Actis and Mesoamerica. The firm also advised on Zuma Energy's acquisition of PE Ingenio, S.A.P.I. de C.V. (PE Ingenio), a 50 MW wind farm located in the state of Oaxaca, together with Mexican law firm Mijares, Angoitia, Cortes y Fuentes S.C. Abogados.

The Clifford Chance team was led by Corporate partner Javier Amantegui (Madrid). Additional team members:

• On the platform creation were: Thais Garcia (Madrid), David Brinton, Sarah El-Ghazaly (New York), Allard Schuering, Arwin Lok and Joel Erwteman (Amsterdam)
• On the acquisition of PE Ingenio: Thais Garcia, Samir Azzouzi (Madrid) and Sarah El-Ghazaly (New York), with the support of Robert Lee, Kevin-Paul Deveau and Lily Miao (London) on the financing side.

Javier Amantegui, lead partner on the deal commented: "We are delighted to advise Actis on this landmark platform deal. There have been a number of reforms in the Mexican energy sector recently and these transactions are evidence of renewed energy and confidence in investment in the region."

In 2013, Clifford Chance advised Actis on a joint venture with Mainstream Renewable Power, the global wind and solar developer, to establish a US$1.4 billion renewable energy platform in the Republic of Chile.