Karl Pires

Selected experience

• Osaka Gas, a Japan-based global energy company, on its entry into a joint venture with Oriden LLC, a U.S.-based renewable project developer, to jointly develop a portfolio of more than 700 MWdc (600 MWac) of utility-scale solar and storage projects throughout certain markets in the United States including those in New Mexico, Kentucky, and Wyoming. This joint venture exemplifies the increasing efforts of Japanese power industry players to diversify and expand investment into energy transition projects.
• Ajinomoto Group, a Japan-headquartered worldwide pioneer in food and health, on its acquisition of Forge Biologics Holdings LLC, through a reverse triangular merger transaction valued at approximately US$554 million. This acquisition is representative of the recent strong interest of Japan’s life science companies to strengthen their position in the area of contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO).
• Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK Line), a Japan-based leader in the global marine transport business, on its investment through an investment fund managed by an Israeli venture capital firm in maritime-related technology companies operating in the maritime sector such as ports, container operations, end-to-end supply chains and offshore. This investment will promote open innovation by startup companies in identifying new technologies that will contribute to ESG and sustainability initiatives in the shipping industry.
• JSR Corporation, a Japanese semiconductor materials maker, on the acquisition of its shares by JIC Capital through a US$6.32 billion tender offer. The transaction is aimed at increasing the international competitiveness of Japan’s semiconductor industry which is regarded as a strategically important sector for the country’s economic security.
• Osaka Gas on their partial share transfer in its Singapore subsidiary, to Konoike Transport, following which Konoike Transport will participate in the city gas distribution business in India. This is expected to enhance gas sales primarily in the mobile segment, as well as commercial, residential and industrial segments.
• Osaka Gas on its entry into a joint venture with Oriden, a U.S.-based renewable project developer, to jointly develop a portfolio of more than 700 MWdc (600 MWac) of utility-scale solar and storage projects throughout certain markets in the United States including those in New Mexico, Kentucky, and Wyoming.
• Osaka Gas on its entry into a joint venture with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries America, Inc. to develop and operate the Brighter Future Solar Farm project, a solar electric generating facility having an aggregate nameplate capacity of 15.7 MWDC located in Caldwell County, North Carolina.Development Bank of Japan on its investment in the US$2.05 billion 376-megawatt Formosa 2 offshore wind project in Taiwan.
• Development Bank of Japan on its investment in the €2.3 billion 860-megawatt Triton Knoll offshore wind project in the U.K. (previous firm experience).SB Energy Corp., Softbank’s clean energy unit, on the establishment of a joint venture with Newcom LLC, a Mongolian investment company, to develop wind power projects in Mongolia (previous firm experience).
• Mitsui & Co., a Japanese trading company, on its investment in AM Solar B.V., a company developing a solar PV power plant project located at Al Manakher near Amman, Jordan (previous firm experience).
• NYK Line on its investment through an investment fund managed by an Israeli venture capital firm in maritime-related technology companies operating in the maritime sector such as ports, container operations, end-to-end supply chains and offshore as well as related ESG and sustainability contributions.