Complex transactions.
Difficult negotiations.
Clear outcomes.
Tom Teerlynck
Negotiation & transaction leadership
25+ years · US$50bn+ transactions · 30+ countries
I am brought in to lead critical negotiations, strengthen decision-making and help drive complex infrastructure transactions through to close, working directly with management and the client team.
Experience
More than 25 years of international experience, including infrastructure transactions exceeding US$50 billion across 30+ countries in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East.
Senior leadership roles with ACWA Power, TAQA, ENGIE and DataVolt, spanning project development, business development, strategy, investment and complex negotiations.
Experience across major infrastructure and capital projects, including:
Power & Renewables · Water · PPPs & concessions · Airports & Transport Infrastructure · Digital infrastructure · Energy and Strategic Infrastructure Investments.
Extensive work across the full stakeholder landscape, including:
governments, investors, boards, lenders, contractors, operators and joint-venture partners.
Trained at Harvard Law School's Program on Negotiation and IMI-qualified and IMC-certified mediator.
Selected organisations I have worked with:
When to bring me in
When a matter is complex, strategically important and difficult to resolve through the ordinary project process alone.
A critical transaction needs experienced negotiation leadership
The project is strategically important, involves multiple stakeholders, or requires alignment and negotiation across senior decision-makers.
A deal or project is becoming difficult to close
Positions have hardened, interests are diverging, progress has slowed or the existing approach is no longer producing results.
A dispute or critical commercial issue puts value at risk
The priority is to regain control of the situation, reshape the negotiation and drive the parties toward a commercially sustainable resolution.
A complex project needs executive leadership
In selected situations, I take broader responsibility for steering a strategically important project or transaction, working alongside an experienced development and project team.
What I bring
Executive judgement
More than 25 years spent developing, negotiating, restructuring and closing major infrastructure transactions from inside leading international organisations.
Deep understanding of what drives decisions across boards, shareholders, governments, lenders, contractors and project teams — and how those interests interact.
Negotiation leadership
Leadership of critical negotiations through to agreement.
Comfortable operating at ministerial, board and CEO level, while equally engaging deeply with the commercial, financial, legal, technical and project teams where the substance of the transaction is developed.
Cross-disciplinary understanding
The ability to understand, connect and challenge the commercial, financial, technical, legal and strategic dimensions of a transaction, and translate them into a coherent negotiating strategy.
Specialist expertise is not replaced; it is brought together around the decisions that matter.
Independence with internal ownership
Being external allows me to look at the situation without the organizational history, internal positioning or assumptions that can constrain an existing team.
Once engaged, however, I work as part of the client team.
I do not arrive with a consulting team or create another layer of advisers. I work directly with management and the existing project, legal, financial and technical teams, bringing additional senior capacity where it has the greatest impact.
How I work
Depending on the situation, I act as:
Lead negotiator
Taking direct responsibility for critical negotiations and driving them towards close.
Executive transaction adviser
Working alongside the CEO, project lead, investment team or board on strategy, positioning and the most difficult decisions and negotiations.
Project or transaction lead
Taking broader leadership of a particularly complex project or transaction where experienced executive leadership is required, supported by the client's development and specialist teams.
Negotiated dispute resolution
Leading the commercial resolution of disputes, claims and difficult contractual situations before or alongside formal proceedings.
Neutral mediator
Where independence between the parties offers the most effective route to resolution.
Selected Mandates
Central Asia | Major international airport PPP
Key negotiations alongside the project leadership through commercial close of a major international airport PPP.
The role involved working across government, consortium, EPC, operator and lender interfaces on critical contractual, commercial and strategic issues through to execution of the principal project agreements.
Central Asia | Major power-sector dispute
Leading the negotiation and settlement strategy for significant contractual and commercial claims arising under a large power project.
The mandate includes negotiation positioning and engagement with senior government and counterparty stakeholders, with the objective of achieving a commercially robust negotiated resolution.
Uzbekistan | US$10bn+ power platform
Led senior government negotiations supporting the establishment and growth of a major new infrastructure investment platform, including first-of-their-kind projects, investment frameworks and long-term government arrangements.
Türkiye | Strategic restructuring
Led negotiations with lenders and shareholders under a highly compressed timetable to restructure a major power investment, stabilise its financing position and enable the shareholder's wider strategic objectives.
Morocco | Private wind project
Led key commercial and financing negotiations for a pioneering privately owned wind project involving multiple industrial offtakers and non-recourse financing.
Broader transaction track record
My wider experience spans major transactions and projects across more than 30 countries.
-
Egypt
1 GW Renewable Energy Portfolio: Guided the implementation and funding strategy for a 500 MW wind project and a 500 MW solar project for a major Middle Eastern sponsor.
LNG Infrastructure Joint Venture: Orchestrated the JV formation between a European energy giant and a local partner for a large-scale liquefaction plant.
Digital Infrastructure & Sustainable ICT: Led due diligence and partnership negotiations for the acquisition of data centers and a sustainable infrastructure collaboration with a leading Egyptian ICT firm.
Morocco
$170M Industrial Wind Portfolio (120 MW): Negotiated Morocco’s first privately owned, PPA-backed wind project, bridging the gap between industrial consumers, government authorities, and international lenders.
Noor Solar Complex: Provided critical stakeholder management for Africa’s largest solar site, ensuring strategic alignment between sovereign objectives and private sector mandates.
Tunisia
Sovereign Market Entry: Secured a strategic foothold for a Middle Eastern energy leader by aligning corporate renewable energy targets with national infrastructure goals.
300 MW Wind Program: Managed the negotiation and prequalification phase for a national wind initiative, balancing complex technical requirements with financial bankability.
-
Botswana
1,200 MW Pithead Coal-to-Power: Directed the structuring and negotiation for a large-scale greenfield pithead power project, managing complex multi-party interests.
Ethiopia
Sovereign Market Entry: Developed the entry strategy and established the primary institutional relationship with the Government of Ethiopia for a global energy leader.
300 MW Wind Power Mandate: Led direct negotiations with government authorities to align the project with national energy priorities.
Scaling Solar PV: Successfully steered the bidding and negotiation for two 125 MWac solar PV projects.
Mauritania
Strategic Market Entry: Formulated a comprehensive entry strategy and identified a pipeline of renewable power projects for a major Middle Eastern energy sponsor.
Mozambique
1,000 MW Gas-to-Power: Led the bid and negotiation for a significant gas-fired project under a corporate PPA structure.
Greenfield Gas Development: Directed the competitive bidding process for a new-build gas-fired power facility.
Namibia
Utility-Scale Wind Bid: Secured the most competitive tariff for a 50 MW wind power project, optimizing the commercial and technical bid structure for the sponsor.
South Africa
Market Entry Leadership: Secured the first renewable energy projects in South Africa for a Middle Eastern sponsor through high-stakes stakeholder negotiations and government engagement.
Solar & Storage (BESS): Led the structuring and negotiations for a 120 MWp solar project and a 150 MW solar + Battery Energy Storage System (BESS).
Peaking Power Assets: Directed competitive bids for over 1,000 MW of peaking power plants, aligning complex technical and financial deliverables with national grid requirements.
West Africa
Regional Expansion Strategy: Developed a multi-country market entry strategy for a large Middle Eastern energy company, focusing on high-growth infrastructure opportunities across the region.
-
Azerbaijan
Pioneering Market Entry: Negotiated and executed the entry strategy for a global leader, securing Azerbaijan’s first utility-scale wind project and establishing the framework for the country’s renewable sector.
240 MW Wind Power Mandate: Directed negotiations with the Government of Azerbaijan to secure the project’s commercial and financial close.
Kazakhstan
Strategic Market Entry: Formulated the entry strategy for a major Middle Eastern energy leader to navigate the specific regulatory and commercial landscape of the Kazakh power sector.
Sensitive Market Exit & Divestment: Led complex negotiations for a European energy giant’s exit, managing the divestment of assets to a state-owned entity while ensuring total alignment with regulatory authorities and diverse stakeholders.
Uzbekistan
$10B+ Sovereign Investment Platform: Orchestrated the market entry and multi-year growth strategy for a global sponsor, resulting in a portfolio exceeding $10 billion in conventional and renewable assets, supported by a consortium of international lenders.
1,500 MW Flexible Gas-to-Power: Led direct negotiations with the Government of Uzbekistan for a large-scale, high-efficiency power project, a cornerstone of the nation’s energy transition and grid stability.
2,500 MW Wind Power Portfolio: Successfully secured a massive wind pipeline through a combination of competitive tenders and direct sovereign negotiations for large-scale installations.
AI-Ready Sustainable Data Center: Aligned diverse stakeholders to establish Uzbekistan’s first AI-ready data center, pioneering the regulatory template for the country’s digital infrastructure.
-
India
Greenfield Power & Strategic JVs: Led early-stage development for a portfolio of greenfield power assets and orchestrated the formation of strategic joint ventures with leading Indian industrial partners.
Laos
130 MW Hydropower Operations: Provided critical strategic support for an operational hydropower asset, managing sensitive high-level relationships with governmental and regulatory authorities to ensure long-term stability.
South Korea
Gas Distribution Divestment: Managed the complex stake-sale negotiations for a major Korean gas distribution entity, balancing shareholder interests with regulatory requirements.
Thailand
Initial Public Offering (IPO): Directed the IPO process for a European energy giant’s Thai subsidiary (2,000 MW portfolio) on the Stock Exchange of Thailand—a landmark transaction requiring total alignment of financial, legal, and regulatory workstreams.
Operational Business Structuring: Led strategic negotiations for a mature power platform, optimizing fuel supply agreements, Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), and O&M contracts while managing sovereign-level counterparty relationships.
Regional Strategic Joint Venture: Negotiated a high-level partnership between a European energy leader and a major Thai conglomerate to co-develop a flagship portfolio of power projects across Thailand and Laos.
-
Strategic Market Entry & Expansion
Market Growth Orchestration: Designed and executed market entry and multi-year growth strategies for both a European energy leader and a Middle Eastern major, securing flagship investment opportunities through high-level stakeholder engagement.
Inter-Governmental (G2G) Negotiations
7,000 MW Sovereign Energy Mandate: Represented a Middle Eastern country in direct negotiations with the Government of Türkiye, for the acquisition of a 1,400 MW asset and a development pipeline of an additional 7,000 MW.
Gas-to-Power Development
780 MW Gas-Fired Facility: Led the development and sovereign-level negotiations for a large-scale power plant, successfully navigating the requirements of international development finance institutions to secure funding.
Asset Restructuring & Debt Resolution
930 MW Debt Restructuring: Directed the complex debt restructuring for a major gas-fired power plant, leading negotiations with a consortium of international lenders and development finance institutions to stabilize the asset's financial profile.
-
Bahrain
1,000 MW Greenfield IPP: Directed the bidding and negotiations for a flagship gas-fired Independent Power Project, encompassing the full lifecycle of development, international project finance, and operational framework.
Oman
The Middle East’s First IPP (264 MW): Provided strategic operational support and managed complex shareholder relations for the region’s pioneering Manah Independent Power Project—a landmark that set the template for private power across the GCC.
Combined Cycle & Desalination Complex: Led the bid and negotiations for a 585 MW greenfield CCGT plant and associated seawater desalination facility, integrating power and water mandates into a single bankable structure.
Saudi Arabia
Independent Power & Water (IWPP) Consortium: Orchestrated the consortium structuring and multi-party negotiations for a large-scale desalination and power bid, aligning global partners with Saudi market requirements.
Vision 2030 Sustainable Digital Infrastructure: Led strategic market-entry negotiations for AI-ready, sustainable data centers, aligning cutting-edge technology investments with the Kingdom’s national transformation goals.
United Arab Emirates
1,430 MW Power & 385,000 m³/day Desalination Hub: Managed the complex negotiations for a world-scale greenfield facility, overseeing EPC contract frameworks and securing a sophisticated international project finance package.
Strategic Project Expansion: Successfully negotiated the capacity extension of a major utility asset, navigating intricate regulatory landscapes and evolving partnership dynamics.
-
Bulgaria
2,000 MW Nuclear Power Mandate: Represented a global energy leader in high-level negotiations with the Government of Bulgaria for a flagship nuclear power installation.
Germany
1,200 MW Power Development: Led the negotiations for a large-scale coal-to-power facility, including the complex structuring of international supply chains and EPC contracts.
Municipal Asset Acquisitions: Directed several strategic bids for equity stakes in German municipal utility companies (Stadtwerke), navigating local regulatory and stakeholder landscapes.
Greece
Strategic Renewables M&A: Orchestrated a landmark transaction for a Middle Eastern energy major to acquire a stake in a 700 MW wind portfolio and co-develop over 2,000 MW of wind, solar, and hydro assets.
Thermal Asset Acquisition: Negotiated the acquisition of a controlling stake in a 150 MW operational asset and a 450 MW combined-cycle development project.
Hungary
Sovereign Arbitration: Led the strategic response and arbitration proceedings against the Hungarian state concerning a major power asset.
Operational Legal Counsel: Provided high-level legal advisory to an operational power generation business to ensure regulatory compliance and risk mitigation.
The Netherlands
900 MW Turnkey EPC Negotiation: Negotiated a high-value, turnkey EPC contract with a global equipment manufacturer for a major gas-fired power facility.
1,200 MW Greenfield Development: Directed the contract negotiations for a large-scale imported coal-to-power project.
Cross-Border Wind M&A: Led the due diligence and bid for a Dutch wind developer with a project pipeline spanning the UK, Netherlands, and Poland.
Poland
Wind Portfolio Expansion: Directed the legal development and acquisition strategy for a series of utility-scale wind power projects.
Romania
Nuclear Power Structuring: Led the negotiations and commercial structuring for a nuclear power initiative in collaboration with the Romanian government.
Strategic Asset Support: Provided specialized legal and operational advice to a leading power generation business.
Russia
G2G Gas Commercialization (1998-2000): Negotiated complex gas commercialization transactions with a Russian major regarding a primary gas transportation network in Kazakhstan.
Direct Involvement
I accept only a limited number of assignments, allowing for direct, hands-on involvement where my experience and judgement can have the greatest impact.
I work closely with the client’s management, team and advisers, focused on the decisions, negotiations and outcomes that matter most.
Contact
If you are facing a major transaction, a difficult negotiation or a complex situation where additional executive leadership could change the outcome, contact me directly.