Abide Raselabe
Senior Associate | Johannesburg
Contact
T: +27 11 669 9334
E: abide.raselabe@bowmanslaw.com
Overview
Abide specialises in project development and construction in project finance transactions, and advises reputable local and multinational sponsors, lenders, developers, contractors, and equity investors on a wide range of complex commercial matters in major private and public sector projects across Africa, predominantly serving clients within the energy (including solar, wind, battery energy storage and hydropower technologies), mining, industrial, logistics, real estate, resources, utilities and infrastructure sectors.
Abide advises clients on the drafting, review and negotiation of project documents, including power purchase agreements, engineering, procurement and construction contracts, operation and maintenance contracts, balance of plant contracts, direct agreements, standard form construction contracts (FIDIC, JBCC and NEC), subcontracts, management services agreements, supply and installation agreements, professional services agreements, guarantees and all related services.
Abide’s experience extends to the construction and operation phases of a project, advising on a wide range of contentious matters, offering end-to-end solutions to a project cycle.
Abide has advised on mandates in various jurisdictions such as South Africa, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, eSwatini, Guinea, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania and Uganda.
Experience
Jurisdictions worked in: South Africa
Languages fluent in: English
*Experience prior to joining Bowmans
Abide has advised:
- Hidroelectrica de Cahora Bassa, as the owner and operator, on the development and construction of large-scale rehabilitation works at its 2075 MW hydropower plant in Mozambique (Africa’s third largest hydropower plant).
- A development manager appointed by the Government of the Republic of Botswana, in its Ministry of Transport and Public Works, on the development, construction and supervision of several infrastructure projects in the Republic of Botswana, including a 200km road.
- AMEA Power, as the sponsor, on the construction and operation of a 20 MW photovoltaic solar power plant in the Republic of Uganda.
- The Government of the Republic of South Africa, in its Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, and through the Independent Power Producers Procurement Office (IPP Office), on the development of the Gas Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (GIPPPP) for the procurement of 3000 MW new generation capacity.*
- Goldwind New Energy South Africa and Goldwind International Holdings, as the EPC and LTSA contractor, on the construction and maintenance of a cluster of three 155 MW wind projects on the Ummbila Emoyeni Wind Farm, developed by Seriti Green in South Africa, including advising on thesubcontracts.
- Pembani Remgro Infrastructure Fund Managers, as an equity investor, and Emerald Renewables, as the developer, on the construction and operation of an emerald wood pellet plant in the Kingdom of eSwatini.
- African Terminal & Logistics Services, as the developer, on the construction of a bulk petroleum storage terminal in the Republic of Djibouti.
- ABSA Bank, Nedbank and Standard Bank, as the lenders, on a major hybrid renewables energy project developed by TotalEnergies, Hydra Storage Holding and Reatile Renewables consortium for the construction and operation of a 216 MW photovoltaic solar power plant with a 450 MW battery storage system, under the Risk Mitigation Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (RMIPPPP) in South Africa.
- ABSA Bank, Nedbank and Standard Bank, as the lenders, on a project developed by the TotalEnergies and Mulilo consortium, for the construction and operation of a 120 MW photovoltaic solar power plant, a 140 MW wind power plant, as well as a related main transmission substation, in South Africa.
- ABSA Bank, Nedbank and Standard Bank, as the lenders, on a project developed by Pele Energy Group, for the construction and operation of two 100 MW photovoltaic solar power plants in South Africa.
- ABSA Bank, Nedbank and Standard Bank, as the lenders, on a project developed by Mulilo, for the construction and operation of a 75 MW photovoltaic solar power plant in South Africa.
- Standard Bank, as the lender, on a project developed by Natura Energy and Raw Renewables, for the construction and operation of a 31 MW photovoltaic solar power plant in South Africa.
- The Gauteng Infrastructure Financing Agency, on a feasibility study for the development of office accommodation for the Gauteng Provincial Legislature in South Africa through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP).*
AREA OF EXPERTISE
Qualifications
Education
- BA, Rhodes University.
- LLB, University of the Witwatersrand.
Professional Memberships
- Admitted Attorney of the High Court of South Africa.
Overview
Abide specialises in project development and construction in project finance transactions, and advises reputable local and multinational sponsors, lenders, developers, contractors, and equity investors on a wide range of complex commercial matters in major private and public sector projects across Africa, predominantly serving clients within the energy (including solar, wind, battery energy storage and hydropower technologies), mining, industrial, logistics, real estate, resources, utilities and infrastructure sectors.
Abide advises clients on the drafting, review and negotiation of project documents, including power purchase agreements, engineering, procurement and construction contracts, operation and maintenance contracts, balance of plant contracts, direct agreements, standard form construction contracts (FIDIC, JBCC and NEC), subcontracts, management services agreements, supply and installation agreements, professional services agreements, guarantees and all related services.
Abide’s experience extends to the construction and operation phases of a project, advising on a wide range of contentious matters, offering end-to-end solutions to a project cycle.
Abide has advised on mandates in various jurisdictions such as South Africa, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, eSwatini, Guinea, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania and Uganda.
Experience
Jurisdictions worked in: South Africa
Languages fluent in: English
*Experience prior to joining Bowmans
Abide has advised:
- Hidroelectrica de Cahora Bassa, as the owner and operator, on the development and construction of large-scale rehabilitation works at its 2075 MW hydropower plant in Mozambique (Africa’s third largest hydropower plant).
- A development manager appointed by the Government of the Republic of Botswana, in its Ministry of Transport and Public Works, on the development, construction and supervision of several infrastructure projects in the Republic of Botswana, including a 200km road.
- AMEA Power, as the sponsor, on the construction and operation of a 20 MW photovoltaic solar power plant in the Republic of Uganda.
- The Government of the Republic of South Africa, in its Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, and through the Independent Power Producers Procurement Office (IPP Office), on the development of the Gas Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (GIPPPP) for the procurement of 3000 MW new generation capacity.*
- Goldwind New Energy South Africa and Goldwind International Holdings, as the EPC and LTSA contractor, on the construction and maintenance of a cluster of three 155 MW wind projects on the Ummbila Emoyeni Wind Farm, developed by Seriti Green in South Africa, including advising on thesubcontracts.
- Pembani Remgro Infrastructure Fund Managers, as an equity investor, and Emerald Renewables, as the developer, on the construction and operation of an emerald wood pellet plant in the Kingdom of eSwatini.
- African Terminal & Logistics Services, as the developer, on the construction of a bulk petroleum storage terminal in the Republic of Djibouti.
- ABSA Bank, Nedbank and Standard Bank, as the lenders, on a major hybrid renewables energy project developed by TotalEnergies, Hydra Storage Holding and Reatile Renewables consortium for the construction and operation of a 216 MW photovoltaic solar power plant with a 450 MW battery storage system, under the Risk Mitigation Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (RMIPPPP) in South Africa.
- ABSA Bank, Nedbank and Standard Bank, as the lenders, on a project developed by the TotalEnergies and Mulilo consortium, for the construction and operation of a 120 MW photovoltaic solar power plant, a 140 MW wind power plant, as well as a related main transmission substation, in South Africa.
- ABSA Bank, Nedbank and Standard Bank, as the lenders, on a project developed by Pele Energy Group, for the construction and operation of two 100 MW photovoltaic solar power plants in South Africa.
- ABSA Bank, Nedbank and Standard Bank, as the lenders, on a project developed by Mulilo, for the construction and operation of a 75 MW photovoltaic solar power plant in South Africa.
- Standard Bank, as the lender, on a project developed by Natura Energy and Raw Renewables, for the construction and operation of a 31 MW photovoltaic solar power plant in South Africa.
- The Gauteng Infrastructure Financing Agency, on a feasibility study for the development of office accommodation for the Gauteng Provincial Legislature in South Africa through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP).*
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