Developing and Financing Offshore Wind: Challenges and Opportunities

Christopher (Chris) Gladbach is the global co-head of the firm’s Energy & Project Finance Group. He counsels clients on energy mergers and acquisitions (M&A), project development, tax equity, private credit, and project finance transactions.

Chris works with energy clients in structuring complex equity and debt investments. He advises both buyers and sellers in the power sector on M&A, joint ventures, and the development of large-scale energy projects.

Chris leads a task force focused on private credit lending to energy platforms and portfolios. He represents market-leading private credit funds, private equity funds, and institutional investors in portfolio and platform lending and equity transactions and understands the unique challenges and opportunities these clients face.

Chris is recognized nationally for his work in the energy sector. He frequently speaks and writes on topics related to M&A, private equity, and institutional investments in power assets.

Edward (Ed) Zaelke is the global co-head of the Firm’s Energy & Project Finance Group. He focuses his practice on project finance and private equity in renewable energy transactional matters. With more than 35 years of experience, he advises clients on all elements of alternative energy development and finance, including equity and debt financing, merger and acquisition transactions, equipment purchase and sale agreements, and power purchase agreements.

A prominent leader in his practice, Ed has served as lead counsel on many of the largest and most significant transactions in the renewable industry.

He also authors and speaks prolifically about various topics in the renewable energy industry. Ed is the former president of the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) and was a board member of AWEA for 12 consecutive years. He is also a founding board member of the Wind Solar Alliance (now a part of the American Council on Renewable Energy) and an adjunct professor at UCLA law, teaching “Renewable Energy Development and Project Finance”.