ENG

CV

Li ZHANG

Ms. Zhang focuses her practice on international energy transactions and projects. She advises clients on the acquisition, development, construction, investment, and financing of such projects and has strong expertise in nuclear, hydro power, wind, solar, conventional power, transmission networks, battery storage, hydrogen, sustainable fuels, low-carbon materials, digitalization, and other energy transition solutions.

Ms. Zhang has represented many multinational energy companies and financial institutions in a number of high-profile asset acquisitions and greenfield development projects in overseas energy markets. Over the years, She has cultivated strong, trust-based relationships with key industry players, including major power companies, energy companies, export credit agencies, and sovereign wealth funds, earning high praises from the clients.

She has provided clients with a full range of legal services in developing, constructing and financing nuclear and renewable energy projects in Europe, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Central Asia, and Latin America. She also has extensive experience in asset disposal and acquisition, project development, and financing of other types of infrastructure projects, such as railways and transmission and distribution networks.

Prior to joining Zhong Lun Law Firm, Ms. Zhang practiced law in London with several world leading international law firms for nearly 20 years. A native speaker of Chinese, she is dual-qualified in the United Kingdom and the United States, and her practice expands across Europe, Middle East, Asia Pacific, and beyond.

Representative Matters

Asia

  • Conducted due diligence and risk assessment for a number of clients on policy and legal environment in Europe, Southeast Asia, Central Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America

  • Advised a number of clients on market access, business strategies, and financing related to hydrogen, renewable energy, sustainable fuels and new materials, electricity trading market, battery storage, and LNG

  • Advised China Railway International Co., Ltd on the EPC and financing of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project

  • Advised China Energy Group on a number of clean energy projects developed overseas (Brunei, Cambodia, Kazakhstan)

  • Advised Mingyang Group on its long-term green fuel supply and purchase agreement with Maersk

  • Advised clients on designing viable electricity sale and purchase contracts in China's electricity trading market

  • Advised the Chinese Exim Bank on restructuring the power purchase agreement and associated financing and security arrangements in relation to a coal-fired power project in Indonesia

  • Advised CITIC on disposing its oil assets located in China via a BVI holding company

  • Advised ChinaPower on its investment in and development of five solar projects in Myanmar

  • Advised CGN Uranium on drafting and negotiating a nuclear fuel procurement contract and a series of commercial arrangements in relation to fuel and mining projects developed in Kazakhstan


Europe

  • Advised China General Nuclear on the proposed UK nuclear financing model (regulated asset base model), national security and investment scrutiny, corporate governance, shareholders arrangements, and potential litigations in relation to UK nuclear new build projects

  • Advised China General Nuclear on export controls and technology transfer, contractual and licensing arrangements in the process of generic design assessment of its reactor design in connection with a nuclear new build project in the UK

  • Advised China General Nuclear on commercial and contractual arrangements with its business partners and supply chain in the UK

  • Advised a Chinese nuclear power company on UK, EU, and US export controls (including the Entity List of the US Department of Commerce, export restrictions administered by the US Department of Energy and the Nuclear Regulatory Authority, etc.)

  • Advised State Power Investment Corporation with respect to a proposed acquisition of a UK nuclear company, including conducting due diligence on the target company, drafting and negotiating share purchase agreements, term sheets of shareholders’ agreements, as well as memorandums of EPC contracts and operation and maintenance contracts

  • Advised State Power Investment Corporation with respect to the nuclear regulatory framework in the UK

  • Advised a European investment bank on its uranium trading transactions

  • Advised a nuclear equipment supplier on nuclear liability, export controls, and regulatory regimes in the UK, European Union, and France 

  • Advised Westinghouse on the development, construction, and financing of Kozloduy Unit 7 in Bulgaria 

  • Advised Westinghouse on EU-related matters in respect of a nuclear power plant in Poland

  • Advised a consortium led by Westinghouse in connection with their proposed participation in the development, construction, operation, and financing of a nuclear power project in Turkey

  • Advised Shanghai Power in connection with an acquisition of electricity distribution and supply assets in Turkey

  • Advised Rosatom on its model nuclear EPC contract for international markets

  • Advised the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development on a EUR 250 million loan program to financial institutions in the Western Balkans and Croatia


Middle East and Northern Africa

  • Advised Silk Road Fund, a Chinese sovereign development fund, on its investment in the hybrid 700 MW CSP and 250 MW solar PV project in Dubai, UAE

  • Advised Silk Road Fund, a Chinese sovereign development fund, on its financing of an investment platform in Dubai that holds renewable asset portfolios in various jurisdictions 

  • Advised Silk Road Fund on its investment in the Hassyan clean coal power plant in Dubai, UAE

  • Advised the Emirate Nuclear Energy Corporation on the development, construction, and financing of its nuclear power program in the UAE

  • Advised a Chinese power company in connection with participating in the tender process of a solar power project in Dubai, UAE 

  • Advised KACARE, an entity established by the Saudi government responsible for nuclear power program, on the procurement and development of its new nuclear power program

  • Advised RAWEC (Rabigh Arabian Water and Electricity Company) in relation to the expansion of its independent water steam and power plant (IWSPP), located in Rabigh, Saudi Arabia

  • Advised China National Nuclear Corporation on the development and construction of a nuclear power project in Egypt

  • Advised a developer group on the development and financing of a solar PV project in the second round of the direct proposal process in Jordan

  • Represented ACWA Power in the development of wind power projects in Morocco

  • Advised ACWA Power in connection with a number of facility arrangements with various financial institutions in South Africa and the UAE

  • Advised a Chinese power company in connection with a proposed acquisition of a coal-fired power plant and a coal mine in Zimbabwe


Latin America

  • Represented China Nonferrous Metals Mining Group Co., Ltd. in its acquisition of a Peruvian company with mineral resources in Brazil

  • Advised State Power Investment Corporation in connection with the acquisition and transfer of operation rights of a hydro power plant in Ecuador

  • Bar Admissions/Professional Qualifications

    England and Wales Bar, 2006
    New York State Bar, 2003

  • Education

    LL.M., George Washington University, 2000
    LL.M., Renmin University of China, 1998

  • Professional Experience

    Zhong Lun Law Firm, November 2024 to present
    Baker McKenzie LLP, April 2021 - February 2023
    Covington & Burling LLP, June 2017 - March 2021
    Chadbourne & Parke (London) LLP, November 2013 - May 2017
    Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP, March 2008 - October 2013
    Allen & Overy LLP, September 2006 - January 2008

  • Languages

    Chinese
    English