SPECIAL RECOGNITION

• Chambers and Partners Asia Pacific 2024 – Band 2 Lawyer - Projects & Energy | Band 3 Lawyer - Banking & Finance
• asialaw Leading Lawyers 2023/24 – Distinguished practitioner - Banking and Finance, Energy
• IFLR1000 2023-24 – Highly regarded - Projects Development, Banking, Project Finance
• The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2023 – Leading individual - Banking & Finance, Projects & Energy and Restructuring and insolvency
• Chambers and Partners Global 2023 – Band 2 Lawyer - Projects & Energy | Band 3 Lawyer - Banking & Finance

KEY QUALIFICATIONS

Joseph is a Partner at Chandler MHM Limited. Prior to joining the firm in 2018, he was a partner in the Bangkok office of a respected, international law firm, and also has extensive banking and project experience in the US and the UK. He specializes in project finance, acquisition finance, general banking and M&A, with a focus on the renewable energy sector, in Thailand and across Southeast Asia. Many of the energy projects he has advised on have been awarded best in class, “Deal of the Year” recognition by international legal commentators. He acts for a variety of clients domestically and internationally, including sponsors, lenders and borrowers.  

RELEVANT CLIENT EXPERIENCE

Some Representative Transactions:

Conventional Power

• Bangkok Bank Public Company Limited, Government Savings Bank and Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (Thai) Public Company Limited on the THB 3,243,000,000 financing of the development, construction, operation and maintenance of one Small Power Producer (SPP) gas-fired combined cycle cogeneration power plant project under the SPP Replacement Program with a designed capacity of 73.9 MW located in Rayong Industrial Park, Rayong Province and other related facilities. The project is developed under a replacement scheme with the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand whereby ageing gas-fired power plants under the previous SPP scheme will be retired and replaced by more efficient and modern power plants at the same site.
• B.Grimm Power Public Company Limited ("B.Grimm") the sponsor, on the non-recourse financing for the development of seven (7) small gas-fired power plants. The gas-fired power plants will have a combined capacity of 980 megawatts with an approximate total value of THB 40 billion. Five of the seven projects are developed under the above-mentioned replacement scheme with the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand. These replacement power plants are the first of their kind. Power Deal of the Year (Thailand) - The Asset Triple A Infrastructure Awards 2021 (Country Deal Awards ASEAN)
• Mizuho Bank Ltd., Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, Bank of Ayudhya Plc., and KASIKORNBANK Plc. on the financing of a 110MW SPP project to be developed by Klongluang Utilities Company Limited in Klongluang District, Pathumthani Province, Thailand.
• Government Savings Bank, Krungthai Bank Plc., Bank of Ayudhya Plc., and Land and Houses Bank Plc. on the financing of two small gas-fired combined cycle cogeneration power plants of IRPC Clean Power Company Limited each with a capacity of 120 MW (total capacity of 240 MW), and a 100 TPH Auxiliary boiler located in the IRPC Industrial Estate, Rayong Province, Thailand.
• B.Grimm Power Limited on the development of a 132 MW gas-fired combined cycle cogeneration power plant (Bowin Clean Energy Limited). The loans were provided by Mizuho Bank Ltd., SMBC, TMB Bank Plc., and Bangkok Bank Plc.
• sole winners to the 2013 IPP Solicitation in Thailand.
• Amata B.Grimm Limited on the development of two gas-fired combined cycle cogeneration power plants (ABP4 and ABP5) located in Chonburi Province, Thailand. Lenders included: Mizuho Bank Ltd., SMBC, KASIKORNBANK Plc., and LH Bank Plc.
• B.Grimm Power Limited on the financing of gas-fired power projects with an installed generating capacity of 114 MW each. The loans were provided by KASIKORNBANK Plc., and Bangkok Bank Plc. Both projects are located in Bangkadi Industrial Park, Pathumthani Province, Thailand.
• Amata B.Grimm Power Limited on the development of a 123.3 MW (Rayong 1) and a 122.4 MW (Rayong 2) gas-fired combined cycle cogeneration power plant located in Rayong Province, Thailand. The lenders included KASIKORNBANK Plc., and Bangkok Bank Plc.
• Amata B.Grimm Power 3 Limited on the development of a 132.5 MW gas-fired combined cycle cogeneration power plant in Chonburi Province, Thailand. The lenders included KASIKORNBANK Pcl., and Bangkok Bank Plc.
• A syndicate of lenders on the refinancing of gas-fired projects for Amata B.Grimm Power 1 Limited (“ABP1”) and Amata B.Grimm Power 2 Limited (“ABP2”) as part of the formation of Amata B.Grimm Power’s Infrastructure Fund. The loans were provided by KASIKORNBANK Plc., Land and Houses Bank Plc., Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau, and Mizuho Corporate Bank, Ltd., Bangkok Branch.

Wind Power

• a major energy company on all aspects of the development of a wind farm in Northeastern Thailand. The wind farm will provide 16 megawatts of installed capacity, and our advice involves negotiating the terms of the operation and maintenance agreement as well as the financing documents for the project financing.
• Chaiyaphum Wind Farm Company Limited on the financing and development of a 90 MW wind farm project in Northeastern Thailand. The project was developed by Electricity Generating Public Company Limited (“EGCO”). This was EGCO’s first utility scale wind project in Thailand.
• Eksport Kredit Fonden (“EKF”) and a group of local and international lenders on the USD 315 million financing for the 150 MW Burgos Wind Project in the Philippines
  • Renewable Deal of the Year-2014  − Project Finance International          
  • Top Ten Deals of the Year / Best ECA Backed Green Deal – Trade & Export Finance          
  • Asia Pacific Deal of the Year – Trade Finance Magazine            
  • Asia Wind Deal of the Year – IJ Global          
  • Best Deal of 2014 – Global Trade Review
• Union Bank of California, N.A. as arranger and Bankers Commercial Corporation on the debt financing and tax equity investment of a 205.5 MW Fenton wind farm in Nobles and Murray Counties, Minnesota.
• Bayerische Hypo-und Vereinsbank AG, New York Branch on the financing of a USD 170 million construction and equity bridge financing for a 124 MW wind energy facility in Texas.

Hydropower

• a group of syndicated lenders in the financing of a major hydro power project.  We have been involved in drafting and negotiating the term sheet for the financing as well as conducting legal due diligence exercise on the project which includes the concession agreement, power purchase agreement, construction agreement, and the process of the Mekong River Commission’s consultation process. (One of is the largest hydroelectric power plant which the Thai sponsors have ever invested in Lao PDR)
• The Siam Commercial Bank Plc., Bangkok Bank Plc., TISCO Bank, and the Export-Import Bank of Thailand on the financing of the Nam Theun 1 Hydropower Project (NT1; a hydropower project with installed capacity of 650 MW, with three generating units (2 x 260 MW and 1 x 130 MW), in Bolikhamxay Province, Lao PDR).
• Bangkok Bank Plc. on the financing of the Xenamnoy 2 and Xekatam 1 coordinated hydropower projects (run-of-the-river hydropower plants under construction in Champasak Province, Lao PDR).
• Essel-Clean Solu Hydropower Private Limited, as Sponsor, on the USD 142.5 million financing of a run-of-the-river hydroelectric power plant with a total installed capacity of 82 MW located in Solukhumbu District in the Eastern Development Region, Nepal (the “Lower Solu Project”). Dutch development bank, Nederlandse Financierings-Maatschappij voor Ontwikkelingslanden N.V. led the bank consortium.
• JBIC, ADB, Japanese banks and Thai banks on the development and financing of the Nam Ngiep 1 Hydro Power Project in Lao PDR. Awarded Asia Hydro Deal of the Year, by IJ Global.

Solar Power

• A major regional energy company with their potential acquisition of a company that holds the developing rights for a 106 MW solar project in Japan.
• Thai counsel to syndicated lenders in relation to the financing to Ray Power Supply Co., Ltd. for the construction, development, and operation of a solar project with an installed capacity of 30 MW located in Cambodia.
• a major Japanese conglomerate in negotiating the terms of its shareholders’ agreement with a major Thai electric power generation company in connection with the development of rooftop solar projects in the Eastern Seaboard. Our work has involved reviewing and commenting on all project documents, including the power purchase agreement, EPC contract, services agreements, etc.
• The lenders on a landmark financing for one of Thailand’s leading power producers for a solar power project in Cambodia. This was the first solar energy project in Cambodia which secured a firm power supply guarantee from the Cambodian government.
• Kasikornbank Public Company Limited in the refinancing of (1) an approximately 5MW photovoltaic solar power plant located in Nong Ko Sub-district, Kranuan District, Khon Kaen Province, Thailand being developed by Beam Corporation Company Limited; and (2) an approximately 4MW photovoltaic solar power plant located in Khok Klang Sub-district, Lam Plai Mat District, Buriram Province, Thailand being developed by Shine Energy Company Limited. Each of these projects are being constructed and operated under the Community Cooperatives Scheme. The projects were originally financed by a borrower's affiliate and requested to be refinanced by the lender.
• ADB, and other commercial lenders (Bangkok Bank, KASIKORNBANK, Kiatnakin Phatra Bank, ICBC (Thai) and Standard Chartered Bank) on the USD 160.5 million green financing of an approximate 200 MW utility-scale photovoltaic solar power project and its associated facilities in Tay Ninh Province, Vietnam, developed, owned and operated by Due Tieng Tay Ninh Energy Joint Stock Company.
• The lenders on the financing for the development and operation of a 257 megawatt (MW) solar power plant in Vietnam. This solar project, which is based in Hoa Hoi, Phu Yen Province, will be Vietnam’s largest single operating solar power plant and one of the largest in Southeast Asia. The syndicated loan is the first green B loan in Asia and the Pacific to be certified by the Climate Bonds Initiative, and one of the largest such loans yet mobilized in Vietnam. The project is the largest single operating solar power plant in Vietnam and one of the largest in Southeast Asia. Shortlisted for IFLR1000 Asia Pacific Award 2021 Green Project of the Year (Vietnam) - The Asset Triple A Infrastructure Awards 2021 (Country Deal Awards ASEAN)
• Super Solar Energy on its proposed investment in 12 co-operative solar projects in Thailand with a total installed capacity of approx. 48 MW developed by AIQ energy Co., Ltd.
• KASIKORNBANK Plc. on the financing of solar power projects with a total capacity of approx. 38.5 MW developed by B.Grimm TTRE and Solawa, in Ayudhya, Saraburi, and Nakornpathom, Thailand.
• Bangkok Bank Plc. on the financing of 59.7 MW solar power projects to be developed by B.Grimm Power and Yanhee Solar Power.
• Solar Power Company Limited on its 34 solar power projects.
• Project companies on the financing of solar projects with an installed generating capacity of 3.73 MW each. The loans were provided by KASIKORNBANK, Plc., and Krung Thai Bank Plc. Both projects are located in Lopburi Province, Thailand. The developer is Solar Power Company Limited.
• Project companies (Solar Power (Bureerum 1&2) Company Limited, Solar Power (Khon Kaen 2) Company Limited, Solar Power (Korat 6) Company Limited), on the financing of solar projects with an installed generating capacity of 7.465 MW each. The lenders were, KASIKORNBANK Plc., and Krung Thai Bank Plc
• KASIKORNBANK Plc. on the financing of 6 MW solar projects developed by Solar Power Company Limited (Solar Power (Khon Kaen 3, 4, 5, 8) Company Limited), using multi-crystalline photovoltaic technology, and located in Khon Kaen Province, Thailand
• Solar Power (Korat 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9) Company Limited, on the financing of solar projects with a generating capacity of 6 MW each. The loans were provided by KASIKORNBANK, Plc. and Bank of Ayudhya Plc. The projects are located in Nakorn Ratchasima Province, Thailand. The developer of the projects is Solar Power Company Limited.
• The Siam Commercial Bank Plc. on the THB 830 million financing of the construction and development of a solar power plant by SPP Five Company Limited, in Roi Et Province, Thailand. The solar farm will have a capacity of 9.6 MW DC, and will feed electricity to the Provincial Electricity Authority (“PEA”) of Thailand.
• Solar Power Public Company Limited on the financing of a 6 MW solar projects, using multi-crystalline photovoltaic technology, and located in Khon Kaen Province, Thailand.
• KASIKORNBANK Plc. on the financing of an 8 MW solar project located in Salaengpan Sub-District, Wangmuang District, Saraburi Province, Thailand. The project developer is MEMC Singapore Pte. Ltd.
• Asian Development Bank and other banks (as lenders) to assist Natural Energy Development Company Limited (“NED”), on their construction of a 79 MW power plant located in Lopburi, Thailand. “APAC Renewable/Solar Deal of the Year” – Euromoney, Project Finance Magazine 2011.
• KASIKORNBANK Plc. on the financing of an 8 MW solar project (SPP Three) and a 6 MW solar project (SPP Four) located in Srisaket Province, Thailand. The project developer is MEMC Singapore Pte. Ltd.
• Solar Power (Loei 1) Company Limited and Solar Power (Korat 2) Company Limited on the financing of two 6 MW solar projects developed by Solar Power Company Limited, using multi-crystalline photovoltaic technology, located in Nakorn Ratchasima, and Loei Provinces, Thailand.
• KASIKORNBANK Plc. on the financing of solar power projects by Solar Power (Sakon Nakorn 1) Company Limited in respect of the USD 100 million financing for construction and development of two solar farms in Sakon Nakorn Province, and Nakorn Phanom Province, Thailand.
• KASIKORNBANK Plc. on the first solar power plant in Thailand (6 MW). The project was sponsored by Solar Power Company Limited (the holder of the project company) with participation of its supplier, Kyocera. 6 MW Solar Power Plant Project.

Carbon / Biomass / Waste-to-Energy (WTE) Power

• a Thai multinational conglomerate on all aspects of a contemplated acquisition of four liquid biomass projects in Japan.
• Carbon Assets S.A. on the purchase of CERs generated by a 9.9 MW biomass power plant in Surin Province, Thailand. The project developer is Mungcharoen Green Power Company Limited.
• Deutsche Bank AG, New York (as Project Counsel) on a bond underwriting for the financing of a biosolids processing facility in Rialto, California.

  Acquisition Finance – General and Energy Related  (not included above)

• Bangkok Bank, KASIKORNBANK, Krung Thai Bank, Bank of Ayudhya, and The Siam Commercial Bank, as lenders, on 53.58 percent of the financing for Thai Beverage PLC. (ThaiBev), the ultimate parent company of Vietnam Beverage Co., Ltd., to support acquisition of 343.6 million shares of Saigon Beer, Alcohol and Beverage Corporation (Sabeco). At the close of the acquisition, Vietnam Beverage became Sabeco’s parent company, and held a controlling stake in Sabeco. Based on this acquisition and a December 2017 acquisition in Sabeco by Vietnam Beverage, the combined transactions were recognized as the largest share sale in Vietnam at year-end 2017, and possibly the largest share sale during 2017.
• U.S. investment fund Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) on the Thai renewable energy portfolio acquisition from Equis Energy. The total acquisition was the largest renewable energy generation acquisition in history and was part of a regional APAC sale by Equis of its renewable energy portfolio, comprising solar, wind and hydro projects across Thailand, Japan, Australia, India and the Philippines.
• BCPG Public Company Limited on the acquisition of a 40% interest in a 90 MW wind project in the Philippines.
• One Energy Limited and Electricity Generating Public Company Limited (“EGCO”) on the acquisition of interests in a 600 MW coal-fired power project in the Philippines.
• CIMBT on a loan to B.Grimm Power for the acquisition of Sime Darby’s Thai power assets.
• The Siam Commercial Bank, Krung Thai Bank, TISCO Bank, as lenders, on a syndicated loan to Sahaviriya Steel Industries Plc. (“SSI”), and its UK subsidiary for acquisition of the upstream steel production facilities of Teeside Cast Products in the UK.
• JP Morgan Chase Bank and Citibank N.A. on the US aspects of cross-border secured financings.
• ABN Amro Bank N.V. on drafting and negotiating security documentation and ancillary documents in connection with a US and German acquisition.
• A major Japanese trading house on investments in a portfolio of SPP and IPP projects with a Thai developer.

  Mining / Infrastructure

• a Japanese multinational conglomerate corporation in all aspects of developing a smart-city project in Thailand. Advised corporation on district cooling and electricity distribution concessions for the One Bangkok Project.
• Bangkok Bank Public Company Limited and China Development Bank, Guangdong branch, on the financing of a 343-kilometer fuel oil pipeline covering five provinces from Saraburi Province to Khon Kaen Province and associated storage facilities in Khon Kaen Province. The Asset Country Awards 2020 - Best Deals by country: Thailand
• Banpu Plc. on the proposed 1399 MW Hongsa Mine Mouth Power Project in Lao PDR.
• Bayerische Landesbank AG, New York Branch, as lead arranger on the financing of the Trans Bay Cable, in San Francisco, California. The Project was awarded, North American Infrastructure – Deal of the Year 2017, by Project Finance Magazine.
• Lehman Brothers, XL Capital Assurance Inc., and MBIA Insurance Corporation on the proposed wrapped acquisition financing by Babcock & Brown, for the Port of Miami Tunnel Project.

EDUCATION

• University of California, Berkeley, School of Law (Boalt Hall) (J.D., 2000)
• University of California (B.A., 1997)

QUALIFICATION

• Admitted in California, 2000

MEMBERSHIP

• Member of the State Bar of California
• Member of American Bar Association (ABA)
• Member of International Bar Association (IBA)
• Member of Inter-Pacific Bar Association (IPBA)