Andre Felipe Cristofaro
Biography
Overview
André is an International Associate in the Washington DC office of White & Case LLP in the Energy, Infrastructure, Project and Asset Finance group. He regularly represents commercial banks, multilateral organizations and sponsors in project development and financing transactions.
André received his Law Degree in 2019 from the Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro School of Law. In 2020, André received his LL.M. degree from NYU. In 2022, André graduated as a Juris Doctor at University of Miami, cum laude.
André is admitted to practice in the State of New York and in Brazil.
Experience
Wind Project Feijão
Representation of a syndicate of leading international banks on the US$700 million non-recourse financing of Project Feijão, a 456 MW wind project in Brazil that is being developed by Macquarie Asset Management's Green Investment Group and Hydro Rein, Norsk Hydro's dedicated company for renewables development. The project financing closed on June 26, 2023, with a syndicate comprising mandated lead arrangers and bookrunners BNP Paribas, Banco Santander, Citibank, HSBC, J.P. Morgan, Natixis and Société Générale. This is a major landmark for Brazil's power sector, as it marked the first US dollar-denominated renewables project to raise project financing solely from commercial banks without the involvement of a development agency. This transaction was awarded "Project Finance Deal of the Year" by IFLR Americas Awards, "Latin America Renewable Energy Deal of the Year" by IJGlobal, "Latin America Wind Deal of the Year" by Proximo Awards.
Financing for Mendubim solar photovoltaic power plants in Brazil
Representation of IDB Invest in the limited recourse project financing for the Mendubim 531 MWp portfolio of solar photovoltaic power plants, transmission line and associated interconnection facilities located in the municipality of Assú, Rio Grande do Norte State, Brazil. This transaction was recognized as "Renewable Energy Financing of the Year" by LatinFinance, "Latin America Renewable Energy Deal of the Year-Solar" and "Latin America Energy Transition Deal of the Year" by IJGlobal.
Project Huatacondo
Representation of Banco BICE, Mizuho Bank, Ltd., Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, The Iyo Bank, Ltd. and Nippon Export and Investment Insurance in connection with the financing for a 98 MW PVAc one axis tracker solar photovoltaic power generation plant known as Project Huatacondo, located in the region of Tarapacá, Chile, and its related 10 km 200 kv high tension transmission line.
Sonnedix acquisition financing
Representation of Sonnedix on the acquisition and US$624 million financing of a portfolio of utility-scale solar PV assets from Enel Chile. This deal was awarded "Energy Transition Deal of the Year" by Global Banking & Markets Latin America Awards.
Kazakhstan Railways
Representation of the lenders, in connection with two separate term loan facilities totaling approximately US$1 billion to National Company Kazakhstan Temir Zholy JSC covered by the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) under its Non-Honoring of Financial Obligations of Sovereign Owned Enterprises Guarantee and US-EXIM.
Financing for concession of water and santination services in Brazil
Representation of the senior creditors, IDB Invest and Proparco, on a project financing in connection with the concession of public services of water and sewage services of Paço do Lumiar and São José de Ribamar municipalities in the State of Maranhão, Brazil.
Kingdom of Jordan financings
Representation of:
- DEG and EBRD in connection with the purchase of DFC's loan to the Ma'an Solar Project in the Kingdom of Jordan.
- DFC, Proparco and EIB in connection with the project financing of the US$1 billion Disi Water Project in the Kingdom of Jordan.