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Ean MacPherson is the head of Projects and Energy in APAC, based in the Tokyo and Singapore offices. His practice area focuses on the renewable energy and data center sectors.
With experience across the Asia Pacific region spanning over 20 years, including Australia, Thailand, Japan and Singapore, Ean focuses on renewable and conventional energy power projects (including offshore wind, solar and biomass), data centre, joint ventures, major projects and corporate work.
For over a decade, since the introduction of the Japanese renewable energy feed in tariff regime, he has acted for foreign renewable energy investors to acquire, develop, finance and construct renewable energy projects in Japan. His power experience includes assisting multiple clients on their Japanese retail and wholesale electricity businesses, including acting for the first foreign company to obtain an electricity retail license after the 2016 liberalization of the Japanese retail energy sector.
With the growth in data centre projects, he has advised multiple data centre developers on construction, power procurement and capital raising for their Japanese projects.
Ean has also acted for numerous Japanese utilities and trading houses companies investing in power, mining and oil & gas projects outside Japan.
At the vanguard of Japanese renewable energy law changes, in his role as legal advisor to foreign companies investing in the Japanese market, Ean regularly writes articles and presents at leading industry conferences, and is a sought after adviser for clients investing in projects across the region.
Recent recognition
EDP Renewables
Acted for EDP Renewables on its S$937 million ($695 million) acquisition of a stake in Southeast Asian green energy firm Sunseap.
Pattern Energy and Green Power Investment
Acted for Pattern Energy and Green Power Investment on the project financing of a 112 MW offshore wind and 100 MW x 180 MWh capacity battery storage project in Ishikari, Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan.
Toyota Tsusho Corporation
Acted for Toyota Tsusho Corporation on its purchase of a 29.8 percent stake in distribution company CFAO, from French luxury and retail group PPR, for 688 million euros ($845 million).
Northland Power Inc.
Acted for Northland Power Inc. on its joint venture with Shizen Energy for offshore wind project development in Chiba Prefecture, Japan.
European EPC contractor
Acted for a European EPC contractor on the acquisition and EPC contracts for a 20 MW project in central Japan and an 800kw solar project in Kyushu.
US electricity retailer
Acted for a US electricity retailer which was the first foreign retailer to obtain a retail license in Japan, including assisting on their establishment, retail license and electricity supply arrangements in Japan.
Foreign electricity wholesale company
Acted for a foreign electricity wholesale company to establish its trading operations in the Japanese market.
Foreign IPP company
Acted for a foreign IPP company on its acquisition and development of a 22 MW solar project in Northern Japan.
Foreign solar project company
Acted for a foreign solar project company in its acquisition of a 25 MW project in Fukushima, Japan.
Foreign solar project company
Acted for a foreign solar project company on the acquisition of a 200MW portfolio of solar project development rights in Japan.
Insights
Admissions
- Registered Foreign Lawyer, Singapore, 2025
- Registered Foreign Lawyer (Gaikokuho Jimu Bengoshi), Japan, 2009
- New South Wales, Australia, 1999
Education
- University of Sydney, LLM
- Australian National University, BA Asian Studies, Thai
- Australian National University, LLB
Languages
- English
- Thai
- Japanese
Memberships
- Tokyo Bar Association - Member
Key Dates
- Year joined: 2025