Legal clarity. Trusted advisors. Enabling better infrastructure outcomes.

Energy and Power

Energy and Power

Africa’s energy landscape is undergoing rapid transformation, driven by the growth of renewable generation, the urgent need for grid expansion, the emergence of competitive electricity markets and the increasing importance of energy efficiency. Infra Law advises across this full value chain, helping governments, developers, investors and operators navigate complex regulatory frameworks, structure bankable projects and deliver resilient, future-ready energy infrastructure.

Electricity generation

Renewable energy now accounts for a significant share of global installed capacity, and technological advances—from battery storage to grid optimisation—are reshaping how power is generated and integrated. Infra Law supports clients across solar PV and CSP, wind, hydro and storage projects. providing regulatory guidance, project structuring expertise and end-to-end procurement and construction support. Infra Law understands the bankability requirements of project-financed transactions and the commercial risks that shape successful renewable energy delivery.

 

Electricity transmission and distribution

While generation has accelerated, transmission and distribution infrastructure in many African countries has not kept pace. Grid constraints—particularly in renewable-rich regions—are now a defining challenge for the sector. Infra Law is able to advise Independent Transmission Producers and other stakeholders on licensing, environmental and property matters, procurement processes, transmission services agreements and financing arrangements, as well as on the implementation of these agreements post-financial close.

Electricity trading

The evolution of electricity trading and the development of a wholesale market in South Africa marks a fundamental shift in how power is bought and sold. With new trading platforms, balancing responsibilities and market participation requirements emerging under recent legislative reforms, market participants face a complex transition. Infra Law can guide IPPs, traders, offtakers and new entrants through the regulatory, contractual and commercial implications of this shift toward an open, traded electricity market.

Energy efficiency

Energy efficiency is increasingly recognised as a critical pillar of sustainable development, offering economic, environmental and social benefits. Yet implementation challenges—ranging from insufficient institutional capacity, regulatory uncertainty to financing constraints for energy service companies—continue to limit uptake.

Infra Law supports government institutions, ESCOs, suppliers, investors and lenders across the full energy-efficiency lifecycle, including procurement design, integration of technical requirements and the drafting of energy performance agreements, whether on a guaranteed or shared savings basis.

Across all segments of the energy and power sector, Infra Law brings deep regulatory insight, commercial acumen and project-delivery expertise to help clients navigate change, unlock investment and build a more secure, sustainable and efficient energy future.

Infra Law provides end-to-end legal support across this landscape, guiding public and private stakeholders through procurement, concession structuring, financing, risk allocation and regulatory compliance to ensure bankable, resilient and development-enhancing road and bridge infrastructure.

Selected Energy Experience

Infra Law has advised leading public institutions, development partners and private developers on some of the most significant energy sector reforms and projects in Southern Africa.

Our work spans regulatory transformation, project structuring, energy efficiency, private sector participation and the development of contracting models for transmission infrastructure expansion. A snapshot of this experience includes:

  • Appointed through the UK-PACT Programme to develop an instruction Manual to guide South African municipalities through procuring renewable energy from Independent Power Producers including a guidance for developing a Power Purchase Agreement.
  • Serving as legal expert in a team appointed by the African Development Bank to advise the South African National Treasury and the Presidency’s Project Management Unit on off-balance sheet funding for the Just Energy Investment Plan. This included:
    • developing contracting models for private investment in transmission infrastructure
    • identifying required regulatory and licensing reforms
    • advising on the accelerated retirement of the coal fleet.
  • Appointed by GIZ for the Energy Efficiency in Public Buildings and Infrastructure Programme to design a full suite of template procurement documentation and energy savings contracts for local authorities to procure energy efficiency interventions,
  • Appointed by GIZ to advise on the establishment of a partial credit guarantee vehicle to support ESCO participation in energy efficiency projects.
  • Leading a team of specialist advisors appointed by the National Business Initiative to explore financial mechanisms to unlock private sector energy efficiency investment
  • Supporting preferred bidders on three shortlisted projects under the Risk Mitigation IPP Procurement Programme, advising on regulatory compliance and government agreements.

 

Across these mandates, Infra Law brings expertise in energy regulation, PPP and private sector participation models, project structuring, energy efficiency contracting and the evolving frameworks that underpin South Africa’s transition to a more secure, sustainable and competitive energy system.