Public Utilities: Energy, Telecommunications, and Others
Since the market opening over 30 years ago, we have been a strategic partner for international and domestic clients in the public utilities sectors. Our support extends from the public bidding stage to its financing and construction. We have stood out advising energy transmission, ports, telecommunications, oil and gas, and renewable energy projects.
In telecommunications, in the late 1990s we represented Bellsouth in the privatization process of the first cellular band line in Panama. Since then, we have continuously advised one of the leading cellular band operators.
We assist international and domestic clients in complex regulatory matters, as well as administrative and judicial telecommunications litigation with the regulator, competitors, and other industry stakeholders.
We have acted as legal counsel to numerous international engineering and telecommunications firms that have been awarded contracts for hydroelectric facilities, power transmission systems, among other projects.
We represent financial institutions, hydroelectric power generation companies, wind, solar, and LNG plants in electric project financing.
Our services include, but are not limited to:
- Representation before the regulator (Public Services Authority and the National Secretariat of Energy).
- Ongoing legal assistance within Panama's energy regulatory framework.
- Due diligence and acquisition processes for power generation and distribution companies.
- Legal advice on all types of regulatory matters associated with the establishment and daily operations of Petroleum Free Zones in Panama, representing both terminal operators and key players in the oil and gas industry.
Acknowledgments
- «The Alfaro, Ferrer & Ramírez team masters the regulatory framework, has a deep understanding of energy projects and is capable of handling complex situations. The lawyers offer practical and effective responses.» Client for Chambers and Partners Latin America – 2023.
- The department co-leader, Annette Bárcenas, is well positioned to help clients with the financing, construction, and development of oil and gas and power transmission projects. She is also routinely seen handling regulatory and permitting matters for renewable energy projects in Panama. Chambers and Partners Latin America – 2023.
- Alfaro, Ferrer & Ramírez receives client praise for its “extensive experience and knowledge” across the full range of energy projects and matters, including public procurement and concessions, project finance, regulatory matters, and the sale and acquisition of energy companies. The team stands out for its expertise across diverse sectors, encompassing the energy, oil and gas, logistics, marine infrastructure, telecommunications, and transportation industries. The Legal 500 Latin America – 2023.
Featured Transactions
- Regulatory and commercial legal assistance to PUMA (FUTURE ENERGY DIVISION) with the implementation of its new green project in the region. The objective of the projects is to transform all service stations into fully “energy sustainable” facilities, through the installation of solar panel systems as energy generators.
- Regulatory legal assistance to POLARIS ENERGY, a Toronto-based company that operates, acquires, and develops renewable energy projects in Latin America, with its plans to acquire several energy projects in Panama, including up to this point the acquisition of 100% of the capital of the 10 MW run-of-river hydroelectric project Chuspa in Panama from Navitas Holdings Inc.
- Representation of Telecom Italia Sparkle, a publicly traded telecommunications company, in the process of joint collaboration with a local telecommunications company to establish a major regional data center in Panama.
- Representation of PNE AG in the development of a wind farm project in the Coclé region for US$100MM. This is one of the main wind energy projects in Panama, comprising the installation of 12 wind turbines and a generation capacity of 65 megawatts.
Acknowledgments
- «The Alfaro, Ferrer & Ramírez team masters the regulatory framework, has a deep understanding of energy projects and is capable of handling complex situations. The lawyers offer practical and effective responses.» Client for Chambers and Partners Latin America – 2023.
- The department co-leader, Annette Bárcenas, is well positioned to help clients with the financing, construction, and development of oil and gas and power transmission projects. She is also routinely seen handling regulatory and permitting matters for renewable energy projects in Panama. Chambers and Partners Latin America – 2023.
- Alfaro, Ferrer & Ramírez receives client praise for its “extensive experience and knowledge” across the full range of energy projects and matters, including public procurement and concessions, project finance, regulatory matters, and the sale and acquisition of energy companies. The team stands out for its expertise across diverse sectors, encompassing the energy, oil and gas, logistics, marine infrastructure, telecommunications, and transportation industries. The Legal 500 Latin America – 2023.
Featured Transactions
- Regulatory and commercial legal assistance to PUMA (FUTURE ENERGY DIVISION) with the implementation of its new green project in the region. The objective of the projects is to transform all service stations into fully “energy sustainable” facilities, through the installation of solar panel systems as energy generators.
- Regulatory legal assistance to POLARIS ENERGY, a Toronto-based company that operates, acquires, and develops renewable energy projects in Latin America, with its plans to acquire several energy projects in Panama, including up to this point the acquisition of 100% of the capital of the 10 MW run-of-river hydroelectric project Chuspa in Panama from Navitas Holdings Inc.
- Representation of Telecom Italia Sparkle, a publicly traded telecommunications company, in the process of joint collaboration with a local telecommunications company to establish a major regional data center in Panama.
- Representation of PNE AG in the development of a wind farm project in the Coclé region for US$100MM. This is one of the main wind energy projects in Panama, comprising the installation of 12 wind turbines and a generation capacity of 65 megawatts.