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About Simon
Simon Cudennec specializes in projects within the energy, infrastructure, and natural resources sectors in France and French-speaking Africa. Renowned as a top lawyer in this field, he is particularly distinguished for his profound understanding of the legal intricacies and unique challenges inherent in African project development. Simon has firmly established himself as a trusted advisor to sponsors and lenders.
His firsthand knowledge of the region’s diverse legal landscapes and cultural nuances equips him to excel at solving complex legal issues. Simon's on-the-ground experience enables him to anticipate challenges, mitigate risks and devise tailored solutions for his clients.
Before joining Bracewell, Simon served as a partner in the Paris office of an international law firm. Notably, in 2017, he completed a six-month secondment with Total in their E&P Legal Department in Paris, further enriching his industry experience.
Experience
Recent Notable Matters
Consortium made up of Proparco, STOA and Swedfund — in relation to their $80 million investment in Serengeti Energy, a Sub-Saharan hydro and solar-specialized independent power producer which develops, constructs, owns and operates grid-connected renewable energy resources*
Lenders — in the financing of the Singrobo-Ahouaty 44-MW hydropower project in West Africa. This is the first independent, hydro power production project to be developed by IHE Holding — a local sponsor in Côte d’Ivoire — alongside Africa Finance Corporation and Themis, a Denham Capital-backed company. The financing package included a senior financing of circa €174.3 million arranged by the African Development Bank, which acted as mandated lead arranger, and provided by lenders African Development Bank, Africa Finance Corporation, Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH (DEG) and The Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund Limited (a PIDG company managed by Ninety One)*
Infinity and AFC — with regards to the acquisition of Lekela. Lekela develops mid- or late-stage green energy facilities into long-term operational and utility scale sites. Founded in 2015 and majority owned by sustainable infrastructure investor Actis, it operates more than 1 GW of wind facilities, with five wholly functioning sites in South Africa, as well as both operational facilities and forthcoming projects in Egypt and Senegal*
Tauber Solar — in the negotiation of the concession for the construction, maintenance and operation of a 66-MW solar power plant and in the financing of this plant, in Ivory Coast*
Total Yunlin Holding — in relation to the acquisition of 23 percent interest and refinancing of Yunlin Holding, the owner of the 640-MW Yunlin offshore wind farm off the coast of Taiwan. Located around 10 kilometres offshore, in water depths ranging from 7 to 35 metres, the wind farm, scheduled for completion in 2022, will comprise 80 wind turbines, each with an output of 8 MW. Once operational, the project will generate 2.4 TWh of renewable electricity per year, enough to meet the electricity needs of more than 600,000 homes*
Tullow Oil Plc — in relation to the sale of its interests in the Dussafu Oil & Gas asset in Gabon to Panoro Energy ASA*
Total — on the negotiation with Repsol and Sonatrach and on the signature of a 25-year extension of a concession to exploit the Tin Fouye Tabankort gas field*
* Work completed prior to Bracewell