Herbert Smith Freehills advises Japan’s Kansai on power plant JV with Indonesia’s MPI

Under the strategic alliance, Kansai, its wholly owned subsidiary Kanden Power-Tech Corporation (KPT), and MPI intend to jointly develop new gas-fired power plants and expand their power plant operation and maintenance business in Indonesia.

One of Japan’s leading energy generation and distribution companies, this is Kansai’s first international power joint venture on this scale.

Part of PT Medco Energi Internasional, Indonesia’s largest listed energy company, MPI owns and operates 18 Indonesian power plants with a total generating capacity of over 3.3gw.

“This transaction exemplifies the sustained interest we are seeing from regional companies in the Indonesian energy sector,” said Singapore partner David Clinch, who co-led the team advising Kansai. “As its economy continues to expand, Indonesia’s power demand and power mix will grow, as will demand for investment and partnerships of this type.”

“Our cross-Asia energy experience and expertise, particularly in Singapore, Japan, Malaysia and Indonesia, is vital to guiding clients through complex cross-border deals such as this,” said Jakarta senior international counsel Matthew Goerke.

David and Matthew led the team advising Kansai, assisted by Singapore-based senior associates William Stroll and Kok Jin Ong (Jin). The core team were supported by a strong cross-office team comprising partner Jamie McLaren and Smriti Bahety in Singapore, John Ling, Amanda Tay and Jen Ru Wong in Kuala Lumpur, and Renny Soependi, Aditya Rachman and Paskalia Deviani at Hiswara Bunjamin & Tandjung, Herbert Smith Freehills’ longstanding associate firm in Jakarta.

Singapore law advice was provided by director Sandra Tsao and associate Weihong Lin at Herbert Smith Freehills' associate law firm Prolegis.

In Jakarta, Herbert Smith Freehills' international counsel practice alongside our affiliate firm, Hiswara Bunjamin & Tandjung, one of Indonesia’s leading commercial and corporate law firms.