Yasser K. Riad

Partner, Abu Dhabi

Biography

Overview

Yasser K. Riad is a partner in the Firm's Project Development and Finance Group, based in the UAE. Yasser advises governments, sponsors, lenders and other stakeholders on the development and financing of energy transition and efficiency projects, with a particular focus on sustainable water desalination and renewable energy technologies including solar, nuclear, hydrogen and battery storage.

Bars and Courts
New York
Education
JD
Harvard Law School
BA
Rutgers University
Languages
English

Experience

His representative transactions include:

Solar / Power

Representation of the Abu Dhabi-based Sweihan PV Power Company PJSC on the issuance of its US$700.8 million 3.625% senior secured amortizing green project bonds due 2049. This deal was recognised as "Structured Bond Deal of the Year" by Bonds, Loans & Sukuk Middle East Awards 2023.

Representation of Saudi Power Procurement Company (SPPC) in connection with the 1.5 GW Sudair PV IPP project (recognised as "MENA Renewables Deal of the Year" by IJ Global 2021 and "Structured Finance Deal of the Year" by Capital Markets Saudi Arabia Awards 2021); the 2,060MW Al Shuaibah 2 PV IPP project; the 700MW Ar Raas PV IPP project; the 300MW Saad PV IPP project; the 300MW Rabigh PV IPP project; and the 300MW Jeddah PV IPP project.

Representation of SPPC in connection with the first phase of the NREP Round 4 solar projects in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Representation of Emirates Water & Electricity Company (EWEC) in connection with the PV2 IPP involving the development of a 2GW solar project, the largest single-site solar project in the world, together with a grid station and associated facilities in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, UAE. This deal was recognised as "Middle East Solar Deal of the Year" by Project Finance International 2020 and "MENA Renewables Deal of the Year" by IJ Global 2020.

Representation of EWEC in connection with the development of the US$1.14 billion Fujairah F3 power generation plant having a net capacity of 2400MW together with a grid station and associated facilities. This deal was recognised as "Middle East Power Deal of the Year" by Project Finance International 2020 and "MENA Power Deal of the Year" by IJ Global 2020.

Sustainable Water Desalination

Ongoing representation of EWEC in connection with the AD Islands RO IWP.

Representation of EWEC in connection with the Mirfa 2 RO IWP, involving the development at the Mirfa complex of a 120MIGD reverse osmosis desalination plant..

Representation of EWEC in connection with the Taweelah RO IWP, involving the development at the Taweelah complex of a 200MIGD reverse osmosis desalination plant. This deal has recently been recognised as "MENA Water Deal of the Year" by IJ Global 2019 and "Middle East Project Finance Deal of the Year" by IFLR 2020, and has obtained the first-ever "sustainable loan" qualification for a water desalination project globally.

Nuclear

Representation of ADWEA in connection with the US$ multi-billion Barakah nuclear project being developed in Abu Dhabi. The transaction was named "MENA Public Sector Financing Deal of the Year" by IJ Global 2017 and "Middle East Project Finance Deal of the Year" by IFLR 2017.

Wind

Representation of SPPC in connection with the first phase of the NREP Round 4 wind projects in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Representation of Bayerische Landesbank, Norddeutsche Landesbank Girozentrale, Union Bank, Rabobank and Banco Santander in connection with the US$ 352 million project financing of the 150 MW Lost Creek wind farm in DeKalb County, Missouri.

Representation of a consortium of lenders in the renewal, modification and extension of a loan to an affiliate of NRG Energy, Inc., secured by the 101 MW South Trent wind farm located in Nolan and Taylor Counties, Texas.

Energy Efficiency

Ongoing representation of Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA) in connection with the establishment of Abu Dhabi Energy Services, the "Super ESCO" for the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and creation of template documentation.

Oil & Gas

Representation of Proman AG in a joint venture with Abu Dhabi Chemicals Derivatives Company RSC Ltd. (TA'ZIZ) to develop the UAE's first world scale gas to methanol production facility at the TA'ZIZ Industrial Chemicals Zone in Ruwais, Abu Dhabi, with an anticipated annual capacity of 1.8 million tons per annum. TA'ZIZ is a joint venture between ADNOC and ADQ.

Representation of nine regional and local lenders in connection with the SAR6.1 billion Islamic project financing of Advanced Polyolefins Industry Company's new petrochemicals complex located in Jubail Industrial City, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This deal was recognised as "Petrochemicals Deal of the Year" by IJ Global 2022 "Project Finance Loan Deal of the Year" by Capital Markets & ESG Finance Saudi Arabia Awards 2023.

Representation of Saudi Arabian Oil Company on the development and financing of the Refinery and Petrochemical Integrated Development ("RAPID") project in the southern Malaysian state of Johor. This deal was recognised as "Best Malaysia Deal" by FinanceAsia Achievement Awards 2018, "Asia Pacific Petrochemicals Deal of the Year" by IJ Global 2019, and "Asia-Pacific Petrochemical Deal of the Year" by PFI 2019.

Representation of six ECAs and nineteen international and local banks in connection with the project financing (including multiple ECA covered tranches) of the US$6.4 billion LIWA Plastics petrochemical project in Oman. This project was recently recognised as "Middle East and Africa Petrochemical Deal of the Year" by Project Finance International 2016, "MENA Petrochemical Deal of the Year" by IJ Global 2016 and "Project Finance Deal of the Year" by Bonds, Loans & Sukuk Middle East Awards.

Awards and Recognition

Next Generation Partner
Legal 500, 2022

"Yasser Riad [is recommended] on projects and all round for his relaxed style, sector knowledge and ability to consistently deliver."
Legal 500, 2022

"Yasser Riad has extensive experience advising sponsors, lenders and other stakeholders on project finance as well as infrastructure, oil and gas and power transactions."
Legal 500, 2021