“Ateş Turnaoğlu always finds solutions that work for all parties when negotiations are locked.”
Biography
Ateş is a partner of our Debt Finance practice in Istanbul. His practice focuses primarily on representing corporate borrowers, banks and other financial institutions, equity investors, export credit agencies and other lenders and lessors in relation to a wide range of project, structured and acquisition finance transactions and banking finance in the power and infrastructure industries.
His experience with energy assets includes conventional power projects and a broad range of renewables transactions. He also has a broad range of infrastructure experience, including the funding of hospitals, toll roads, highways, bridges, and airports (including the financing of healthcare public private partnerships and privatisation).
Ateş serves clients in many different sectors, including energy, infrastructure, transportation and logistics, mining and metals, oil and gas.
Experience
Representation of Smart Güneş Enerjisi Teknolojileri Araştırma Geliştirme Üretim Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş. in connection with a EUR20.5 million UK Export Finance (UKEF)-supported facility arranged by ING Bank N.V. to finance the supply of equipment and services for the design, engineering and construction of the 128MWp G4-Bor-1 solar power plant in Bor, Niğde.
Representation of a consortium led by UCC Holding, alongside Kalyon Enerji, Cengiz Enerji, and Power International, in connection with the signing of US$7 billion investment and power purchase agreements with the Ministry of Energy of the Syrian Arab Republic and the Public Establishment for Transmission and Distribution of Electricity related to eight new power plant projects across Syria with a combined generation capacity of 5,000 MW.
Representation of senior financiers including the Deutsche Bank, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, Black Sea Trade and Development Bank, Islamic Development Bank, Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector, ICBC, Silk Road Fund, Bank of Bahrain and Kuwait, Kuveyt Türk, Akbank, Garanti BBVA, QNB, VakıfBank, and Ziraat Bank in connection with the EUR1.7 billion senior secured financing for the Antalya-Alanya motorway project on the basis of the built-operate-transfer (BOT) model, supported by ICIEC under a non-honouring of sovereign financial obligations (NHSFO) policy cover.
Representation of the lenders including İşbank, GarantiBBVA, Halkbank, TSKB, VakıfBank in connection with the CAPEX financing of the electricity distribution and retail companies of the Uludağ Region.
Representation of AIIB and TSKB in connection with the financing of the development, construction, and operation of a 136 MWp/100 MWe Solar Power Plant (SPP) and associated electricity transmission lines located in the town of Erzin, Hatay by IC İçtaş Güneş Enerji Üretim ve Ticaret A.Ş.
Representation of Enerjisa Üretim Santralleri A.Ş. in connection with an up to US$1.012 billion financing made available by a syndicate of lenders including Akbank, DEG, DFC, HSBC, J.P. Morgan, KfW IPEX-Bank, and Proparco for the financing of the development and construction of 750 MW Wind Energy Power Plants in the Aegean region of Türkiye under the YEKA-2 WPP scheme. Part of the loans are partially backed by Euler Hermes with an export credit cover.
Faculty of Law
Next Generation Partner in
-Bank, Finance and Capital Markets,
-Project Finance/Projects and
-Restructuring & Insolvency
Legal 500, 2025
"Ateş Turnaoğlu stands out for his strategic vision and leadership. His ability to see the bigger picture while staying attentive to every detail has been invaluable. Ateş is not only highly knowledgeable but also incredibly responsive. Whether it's a critical issue or a routine inquiry, he is always available to provide guidance, making us feel supported and confident. Ateş's ability to simplify even the most complicated issues and communicate them effectively has been crucial to our decision-making process. He's a partner in every sense of the word."
Legal 500, 2025
"His strong problem-solving abilities and unwavering availability add tremendous value to our banking and finance projects."
Chambers & Partners, 2025
"Ateş Turnaoğlu has been exceptional business partner. Ateş is very intelligent and resourceful. He helps with every complicated problem, offers solutions and leads the process whenever needed."
Legal 500, 2024
