José de Ponte

Partner

About

José advises governments, sponsors, developers, contractors, investors and financiers on major infrastructure, energy, digital infrastructure and public-private partnership (PPP) projects. He has acted on more than 50 significant projects spanning transport, social infrastructure, energy, renewables, transmission networks, water, social housing and digital infrastructure.

Recognised for his practical and commercial approach, José works across the full project lifecycle, from project structuring and procurement strategy through to contract negotiation, delivery and operations. He has extensive experience drafting and negotiating bespoke project agreements, Australian Standard contracts, FIDIC and NEC forms, enabling clients to allocate risk effectively and successfully deliver large-scale projects.<.p>

In recent years, José has developed a strong market profile advising on energy transition and digital infrastructure projects. He has acted on some of Australia's most significant renewable energy and transmission initiatives, including the landmark Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) Transmission Project, Australia's first major regulated renewable energy transmission project delivered through a PPP-style structure. He also advises on utility-scale renewable energy generation, battery energy storage, energy-from-waste facilities and emerging decarbonisation projects.

José is also increasingly recognised for his work in the rapidly growing data centre sector. He advises developers, investors, operators and occupiers on data centre development, construction, procurement and delivery models, including hyperscale and cloud infrastructure projects. His experience encompasses mission-critical facilities, long-term development and leasing arrangements, digital infrastructure procurement and the increasingly important intersection between data centres, energy supply and grid infrastructure. He is a regular commentator on data centre development trends and the evolution of digital infrastructure markets.

Clients value José's technical excellence, strategic insight and commitment to achieving practical outcomes. He is known for building long-term relationships and helping clients navigate the commercial, regulatory and contractual challenges associated with major infrastructure and development projects.

Areas of FocusConstruction and Engineering Energy and Natural Resources Infrastructure, Construction and Transport Projects and Project Finance

Professional QualificationsAttorney and Conveyancer of the High Court of South AfricaSolicitor of the Supreme Court of New South Wales

EXPERIENCE

Data Centres & Digital Infrastructure

GreenSquareDC, a data centre developer, on the establishment of its core construction and consultancy documentation suite, including design and construction contracts and consultant agreements for future data centre developments.
A leading international cloud and web services provider on the construction aspects of the development and long-term lease of a Sydney data centre housing approximately AUD1bn of cloud computing infrastructure.

Energy Transition & Renewables

Grupo Cobra as sponsor, contractor and operator in relation to the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone Transmission Project, Australia's first major regulated renewable energy transmission project delivered through a PPP-style model. The project includes the design, financing, construction, operation and maintenance of transmission infrastructure supporting the decarbonisation of the NSW electricity grid.
Asian Development Bank and project stakeholders on the development, procurement and contracting arrangements for a utility-scale solar photovoltaic and battery energy storage project in Timor-Leste, including preparation of project documentation and power purchase arrangements.

Transport & Infrastructure

Asian Development Bank and the Government of Kazakhstan in relation to the development of a 300-bed general hospital on a PPP basis, in or around the campus of the Karaganda State Medical University located in Karaganda city, Kazakhstan.
China Railway Construction Corporation on the EPC contract for Thailand's High-Speed Rail Linking Three Airports Project, involving the development of a 220km high-speed rail network connecting Bangkok's major international airports.
Transport for NSW on the Regional Rail Project for the replacement of the State's regional passenger rail fleet through a major design, build, finance and maintain procurement.

Utilities

Essential Water on the contractual framework for the AUD467m Wentworth to Broken Hill Pipeline Project, including long-term water supply and infrastructure agreements supporting the delivery of critical water infrastructure to regional New South Wales.

Languages

Education

Bachelor of Laws, University of the Witwatersrand, 1994

Bachelor of Arts, University of the Witwatersrand, 1992