Zanele Mahlalela

Zanele Mahlalela is an Associate at Bowmans in Johannesburg, specialising in energy law, infrastructure projects, and project finance. She advises both private sector and public sector clients on various transactions pertaining to renewable energy and infrastructure development, with experience across the full project lifecycle from procurement and structuring to financing and implementation.

Zanele has advised Green Cities, Infrastructure and Energy Programme on the Fast-Track IPP Procurement Programme targeting solar photovoltaic projects in Zambia; lenders on a project financing for the development and construction of a gigafactory in the UK for the supply of electric vehicle batteries; Sasol Limited on its renewable energy captive power procurement programme for approximately 600MW and its green hydrogen electrolyser programme, including negotiating wheeling agreements with Eskom and municipalities; and Acciona Energy South Africa on projects bid into the REIPPPP Round 5 and Round 6. She has also advised Valterra Platinum Ltd and Rustenburg Platinum mines on water association agreements; Mulilo Wind Enterprises on a vendor due diligence review; and First Rand Bank on various facility agreements. Her experience also includes advising on power purchase agreements, balance sheet restructuring, and legal due diligence for energy and infrastructure projects.

Zanele holds a Bachelor of Arts in Law (2017) and a Bachelor of Laws (2020) from the University of Johannesburg, and a Master of Laws (LL.M) from Cornell University (2021). She is an admitted attorney of the High Court of South Africa and a member of the Golden Key International Honour Society.