Peter Opatewa

Legal Counsel, TotalEnergies

United Kingdom

About

Commercially focused Legal Counsel with 10+ years’ experience supporting renewable energy, infrastructure, and oil & gas projects across multiple jurisdictions. I specialise in negotiating and managing EPC, O&M, and Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), with a strong focus on contract lifecycle management, commercial risk allocation, and cross-functional collaboration with procurement, finance, and project teams. At TotalEnergies, I support the delivery of renewable energy projects by providing pragmatic, business-aligned legal advice in complex and fast-paced environments. Particularly interested in contributing to the successful delivery of large-scale energy and infrastructure projects.

Experience

  • TotalEnergies (Hybrid)
    • Legal Counsel
      Jan 2024 - Present · 2 yrs 6 mos

      • Support the delivery of renewable energy projects. • Lead negotiation and management of EPC, O&M and Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) for solar energy projects across multiple jurisdictions • Provide end-to-end contract lifecycle support, from structuring and negotiation through execution and performance monitoring • Advise procurement, finance and project teams on contractual risk allocation and commercial strategy • Draft and negotiate joint venture agreements, land rights, guarantees and asset acquisition documentation • Interface with regulators, external counsel and project stakeholders in complex multi-jurisdictional environments • Support claims, disputes and contract enforcement processes

    • Legal Counsel
      Mar 2016 - Jan 2024 · 7 yrs 11 mos

      • Negotiated and drafted a broad range of commercial and infrastructure-related contracts, including supply, distribution and project agreements • Provided legal support on renewable energy initiatives, asset transfers and corporate restructuring activities • Partnered with procurement and commercial teams to manage supplier contracts and mitigate contractual risk • Supported financing transactions and complex commercial arrangements as part of broader business growth initiatives • Managed disputes and regulatory engagements, contributing to the mitigation of significant financial and operational risks • Conducted legal and regulatory analysis to ensure ongoing compliance and proactive risk management

  • Assistant Manager, Legal & Compliance at ASO Orwell
    May 2014 - Mar 2016 · 1 yr 11 mos

    • Managed legal aspects of M&A transactions and project finance agreements • Drafted and negotiated commercial and infrastructure contracts • Ensured regulatory compliance and supported dispute management

  • Legal Counsel at Guaranty Trust
    Aug 2012 - May 2014 · 1 yr 10 mos

    Supported project finance transactions and commercial contract negotiations.

  • Associate at Dentons ACAS-Law
    Jan 2012 - Aug 2012 · 8 mos

    Advised on energy and infrastructure transactions.

  • Legal Counsel at Access Bank Plc
    Feb 2009 - Dec 2011 · 2 yrs 11 mos

    Supported project finance transactions, commercial contract negotiations, litigation and landholding interest management.