Shearman & Sterling advised the lenders in connection with the development and financing of the 2,400MW Hassyan coal-fired Independent Power Producer (IPP) in Dubai. The lenders comprised a combination of financial institutions from the PRC and local and regional commercial banks. The financing included a mezzanine tranche. Prior to this, the firm advised the lenders on the Shuaa Energy transaction in 2015, which was the first IPP in Dubai.

ACWA Power and the Harbin Electric consortium were initially selected by Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) as the preferred bidder to construct the plant, which is scheduled to be fully operational by 2023. They were later joined as shareholders by Silk Road Fund. The project includes a 25-year power purchase agreement with DEWA, who will also own 51% of the project company, while ACWA Power, Harbin International and Silk Road Fund will own the remaining 49%.

The plant, adopting the use of the ultra-supercritical technology, will be the first coal-fired power plant in the GCC region and is fully compliant with set international standards. This technology is designed to minimize fuel consumption, flue gas emissions and adhere to the most stringent environmental impact mitigation standards ever adopted for a coal-fired power plant.  
 
The Team