Legal Counsel: Renewable Energy Projects

Market-related Package

Cape Town 

Work Model: Hybrid
Employment Type: Permanent

Role Overview

An established, international renewable energy developer with a growing footprint in Southern Africa is seeking a Project-Focused Legal Counsel to support the full lifecycle of large-scale energy projects.

This role is suited to a commercially astute legal professional who thrives in complex, multi-stakeholder environments and is comfortable operating across development, financing, construction, and operations. The position will work closely with senior leadership and project teams, providing hands-on legal guidance on strategic and operational matters.

Key Responsibilities

Project Development & Land Rights

• Provide legal support from early-stage development through to financial close.

• Structure, draft, and negotiate land-related agreements, including options, leases, servitudes, and wayleaves across private, communal, and state-owned land.

• Advise on land security, land claims, and long-term land tenure strategies.

Bidding, Acquisitions & Commercial Transactions

• Support public and private procurement processes, including bid preparation and legal strategy.

• Lead or support legal due diligence for project acquisitions and joint ventures.

• Draft and negotiate transaction documents such as share purchase agreements, development agreements, and joint development arrangements.

Financing & Financial Close

• Lead legal workstreams for project financing, including lender negotiations and security packages.

• Review, negotiate, and coordinate a wide range of project and finance agreements, including PPAs, EPCs, O&M agreements, shareholder and equity documents, and corporate approvals.

• Manage conditions precedent through to financial close.

Construction, Operations & Risk Management

• Advise project teams during construction and operational phases on contractual, regulatory, and dispute-related matters.

• Support claims management, contract variations, and dispute resolution processes.

• Provide ongoing legal advice to project executives, asset managers, and technical teams.

Governance, Compliance & Stakeholder Engagement

• Ensure sound corporate governance across project entities, including board processes and resolutions.

• Manage external legal counsel and coordinate with lenders’ and counterparties’ advisors.

• Monitor legislative and regulatory developments impacting renewable energy projects and ensure compliance with internal policies and ethical standards.

Ideal Candidate Profile

• Admitted attorney with solid experience in project-based legal work, preferably within renewable energy, infrastructure, or large-scale project finance.

• The ideal candidate will have a strong project-focused background within the REIPPPP framework, with direct involvement in South African renewable energy projects.

• A minimum of 7 years’ experience in the renewable energy sector is required.

• Proven hands-on experience leading or supporting projects through financial close is essential, including exposure to lender negotiations, conditions precedent, and project finance documentation