K&L Gates contributes significantly to the USD 1.2 billion sale of GS Inima to TAQA, taking on a prominent role in the merger negotiation process.

In a significant move, the Abu Dhabi National Energy Company PJSC (TAQA), a state-owned energy and water company in the UAE, has announced the acquisition of GS Inima, a water treatment and desalination company based in Madrid. The deal, worth approximately USD 1.2 billion, is expected to close in 2026, subject to regulatory approvals and other closing conditions.

GS Inima, a water treatment subsidiary of South Korea's GS Engineering & Construction (GS E&C), operates across ten countries, including Spain, Brazil, Mexico, the United States, and Oman. The acquisition is set to strengthen TAQA's standing as a global utility and provide direct entry into fast-growing markets across Europe, Latin America, and Asia.

Jasim Husain Thabet, TAQA's group CEO and managing director, commented that the acquisition represents a transformational step in TAQA's growth and water strategy. He further stated that the acquisition will enable TAQA to expand its global footprint and contribute to sustainable water solutions worldwide.

The transaction was represented by Pittsburgh-headquartered law firm K&L Gates. The K&L Gates team, led by partners Andrew Chung, Dr Franz Schaefer, Craig Fraser, and Francesco Carloni, advised GS Engineering & Construction on the sale of GS Inima to TAQA.

Franz Schaefer, a partner at K&L Gates in the Munich office, admitted as a German lawyer and a New York attorney, specializing in mergers and acquisitions particularly in construction and new technologies, was part of the Europe-based legal deal team. He emphasized that the transaction reflects the growing global demand for sustainable infrastructure and strategic investment in water and energy assets.

GS Inima brings proven operational and technical strength on a global scale to TAQA. The company manages around 50 active projects, of which about 30 are long-term public-private partnerships (PPPs). The acquisition is expected to enhance TAQA's capabilities in delivering water solutions, particularly in desalination, which is crucial for the UAE's water security.

Regulatory issues were overseen by Francesco Carloni and Dr Michael Hofmann from K&L Gates. Vijesh Parmar, Madeleine Williams, Suvi Ronan, and Saya Lee were also part of the K&L Gates team that worked on the deal.

The K&L Gates partners, Chung, Schaefer, and Fraser, expressed their confidence in the strategic value of the acquisition for both parties and the potential it holds for the future of sustainable infrastructure and water solutions. The acquisition of GS Inima is expected to be a significant milestone in TAQA's growth journey and its commitment to delivering sustainable water solutions globally.

K&L Gates contributes significantly to the USD 1.2 billion sale of GS Inima to TAQA, taking on a prominent role in the merger negotiation process.