James McLaren

James is one of the Firm’s four global energy sector leaders and a partner in the Energy & Infrastructure Group.

Based in Asia for over 10 years, James has advised on the development and financing of many significant energy and infrastructure projects across the region as well as acquisitions and disposals in the energy and infrastructure sectors.

James has advised on many ‘first in country’ projects in Asia and has a particular focus on oil and gas, renewable energy and the energy transition and transportation infrastructure transactions. He is recognised as a market leader in the emerging offshore wind market in Asia Pacific.

Before moving to Hong Kong, James was based in the firm’s Dubai office between 2006 and 2009 and in the firm’s London office between 2009 and 2011. He has also worked in-house for a major energy company, providing him with further practical insights into the sector.

Work highlights

James has led on a wide range of market-leading project financings and corporate transactions. These include advising as lead partner: 

• the sponsors on the financing of the 1GW+ Hai Long 2 & 3 offshore wind farm projects in Taiwan (ongoing).
• the lenders on the US$480m (KRW 615bn) financing of the Jeonnam 1 offshore wind farm project located in South Jeolla Province, South Korea – this is the first internationally sponsored and financed offshore wind project in South Korea.
• an international wind developer on its proposed equity and financing arrangements in relation to the Greater Changhua 4 project in Taiwan (ongoing).
• the international sponsors and lenders (ECAs and commercial banks) on the closed project financings of Greater Changhua 1, Changfang & Xidao, Yunlin, Formosa 2, Formosa 1 offshore wind projects in Taiwan.
• Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan Board on its investment of up to US$1bn in a global offshore wind development joint venture with Corio Generation to support the development of 14 fixed bottom and floating wind projects in Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, Ireland and the UK.
• a pension fund on its proposed acquisition of a 25% interest in the Taiwanese 595MW CFXD offshore wind farm from Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners.
• China Light and Power and Hong Kong Electric on the development of an FSRU Project in Hong Kong.
• International Container Terminal Services, Inc. and Victoria International Container Terminal Ltd in respect of the A$398m multi-sourced project financing of a container terminal in Webb Dock, Melbourne, Australia.
• PT Medco Power Indonesia and Ratchaburi Electricity Generation Holding PCL as sponsors on the project financing of a 275MW Gas Fired Power Plant Project in Riau province, Indonesia.

James is an active member of the Association of International Petroleum Negotiators (AIPN) and regular speaker at renewable energy conferences. James has recently been ranked in the top 100 Legal Power List by a word about wind in recognition of his involvement in the development of the offshore wind market in Asia.

James holds Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Law degrees (with Honours) and a Graduate Diploma in Energy and Resources Law from the University of Melbourne, Australia.