Sugandha Somani Gopal Bio

Sugandha Somani Gopal has over 14 years of work experience in all aspects of legal, regulatory, policy, commercial, strategy and compliance related issues arising in power projects (generation, transmission, distribution and trading), infrastructure projects (airports, ports, highways, metro railways, high speed rail) including public procurement and public private partnership projects, green hydrogen, carbon markets, electric vehicles, charging infrastructure and battery storage. She has advised on policy, legal and regulatory framework suitable to promote development of energy and infrastructure sectors to several ministries / bodies of central and state governments, developmental financial institutions (the World Bank, ADB, UN), policy think tanks and non-profit organisations. She has also advised on tender and bid related processes issued by both public and private organizations. This includes drafting and reviewing of tender documents, advisory on issues relating to public procurement, risk analysis and mitigation measures under standard bid documents. She has led negotiations and structured investments in complex transactions, including advising clients on mergers & acquisitions, investments and financing infrastructure projects (involving extensive due diligence and advising on transaction documents). She also regularly advises clients on project implementation related issues arising under concession agreements, EPC and O&M agreements. Sugandha has assisted clients on development of climate friendly and sustainable business models by advising on green credit programme, carbon markets (including trading of carbon credits, drafting of agreements for development of carbon projects), virtual power purchase agreements, renewable energy based captive power purchase agreements, et. al. She has also been involved in various aspects of dispute resolution including evaluation of contractual arrangements / regulatory and legal framework to facilitate compliance and advising clients on processes to avoid / mitigate risks in the conduct of business; providing strategic advice & opinions; drafting pleadings, briefing counsel; representing clients and appearing before judicial / quasi-judicial bodies – both in original and appellate stages, including before the Supreme Court of India, High Court of Delhi, and the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity, Telecom & Disputes Settlement Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT), Electricity Regulatory Commissions, and Competition Appellate Tribunal.