Mariana Villegas Mendoza

Biography

Mariana is a senior associate in the Energy, Mining and Infrastructure group at Baker Mckenzie, and is currently the leader of the Power sub-practice in Bogotá. In the past, she participated in the mergers and acquisitions (M&A) practice. In her role as leader of the Power sub-practice, Mariana, who has been part of Baker Mckenzie for more than 10 years, has strengthened the development of businesses associated with energy generation projects from non-conventional renewable sources, energy efficiency, energy storage in batteries, reliability mechanisms, among others.

Mariana has a Master's Degree in Energy and Sustainability (Pontificia Universidad Javeriana) and a specialization in Mining and Energy Law (Universidad Externado de Colombia). Mariana is currently recognized as Rising Star in Energy and Natural Resources, by The Legal 500 firm. Mariana serves as professor of Energy Regulation and Markets at the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana.

Practice Focus

Mariana handles commercial, contractual, transactional and regulatory matters related to energy projects in Colombia. She has advised multiple clients from the energy industry in doing business in Colombia, including generation projects based on renewable energy sources. Mariana has also worked on mining and hydrocarbon projects, in which she has extensive experience. Mariana works in alliances with the Colombian Chamber of Energy, and with the energy business departments of some embassies in Colombia for the promotion of strategic opportunities.

Representative Legal Matters

Advised Canadian Solar in various matters related to the acquisition of power projects in Colombia.
Advises Engie on various matters associated with the acquisition of power projects in Colombia.
Advised Morelco SAS, a subsidiary of the renowned Peruvian construction company Graña y Montero, in all legal matters related to its participation, through a joint venture with third parties, in a public bidding process by Colombian government to award the right to build and operate a certain expansion of the power transmission infrastructure in a certain area of the Department of La Guajira.
Advised Voltalia S.A. in the acquisition of a portfolio made up of more than six greenfield electricity generation projects in Colombia, based on solar (photovoltaic) and wind technologies.
Advises Reforestadora de la Costa S.A.S., part of the Valorem corporate group and through its different subsidiaries in the power division, in the development of generation projects from non-conventional renewable sources (forest biomass).
Advised Oak Creek Energy Services in the acquisition and development of several innovative wind power generation projects.
Advises several companies from the hydrocarbon exploration and production sector in their foray into businesses associated with non-conventional sources of renewable energy.

Professional Honors

Rising Star in Energy and Natural Resources, The Legal 500

Corporate Responsibility

Mariana has provided pro bono assistance to a group of non-profit organizations composed by Fundación Corona, Fundación Bolívar Davivienda and Fundación Mario Santo Domingo, which intends to implement certain innovative social impact bonds schemes in Colombia. She has also rendered bono assistance to Las Páginas Verdes, an organization that publishes a directory listing “green” entities, and the Josephson Institute of Ethics, which promotes ethical commitment and practice.

Admissions

Colombia (2012)

Education

Pontificia Universidad Javeriana (Master in Energy and Sustainability) (2021)
Universidad Externado de Colombia (Post-graduate studies in Energy, Mining and Oil and Gas) (2015)
University del Rosario (J.D.) (2012)

Languages

English
Spanish

Professor, Energy Regulation and Markets, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana

Co-author. “Good Practices for the Development of Renewable Energies” (Buenas Prácticas Para El Desarrollo De Energías Renovables). Escuela Javeriana de Gobierno y Ética Pública, Observatorio de Gobierno y TIC, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana and Bancolombia, 2021

Co-author. “Alternative Energy & Power”, chapter entitled “Colombia Law and Practice”. Chambers Global Practice Guide, Chambers and Partners, 2019

Co-presenter, Business Opportunities in the Electricity Sector, with Emphasis on Non-Conventional Renewable Sources, 2019

Author. “The Free Trade Agreement Between the United States and Colombia: The Difference in Legal Scope in One Country and Another”. Germán Cavelier Prize, Cavelier Abogados, online publication, 2011