Jacob is Co-Chair of Osler’s national Energy Group and provides trusted, strategic counsel on leading Canadian developments in clean energy and Canada’s transition to a low-carbon economy.
His practice focuses on commercial aspects of the electricity sector, specializing in procurement, development, finance, construction and M&A matters relating to electricity generation, storage, distribution and transmission assets.
Playing a leading role in the firm’s climate change, carbon markets and environmental finance matters, Jacob is experienced in various emissions trading, carbon credit and renewable energy markets and associated regulations and voluntary frameworks. As part of Osler’s Derivatives practice group, he advises on regulatory matters relating to trading and marketplace activities for commodities and derivatives products.
Recognized as a leading lawyer in Energy: Power by Chambers Canada, The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory, Best Lawyers in Canada and Who’s Who Legal, Jacob regularly acts for owners, lenders, off-takers and other stakeholders on renewable energy, battery storage, carbon capture, biofuels, hydrogen, electric vehicles and other electricity-sector and energy transition projects across Canada. He has previously served as a director of the Canadian Solar Industries Association.
Representative Work
- Canada Growth Fund
Canada Growth Fund in connection with its strategic partnership with Gibson Energy and Varme Energy
- Highland Electric Fleets, Inc.
Highland Electric Fleets in connection with its $50 million credit facility with the Canada Infrastructure Bank.
- Canada Growth Fund
The Canada Growth Fund in its connection with its carbon credit offtake agreement and $200 million strategic investment in Entropy Inc.
- First Quality Enterprises LLC
First Quality Enterprises in its acquisition of Domtar’s Pulp and Paper Mill in Dryden, Ontario
- Independent Electricity System Operator
The IESO in its procurement of seven new battery storage projects and two new natural gas-fired generators
- The Bank of Nova Scotia
The Bank of Nova Scotia in its 15-year renewable energy PPA
- Firelight Infrastructure Partners LP
Firelight Infrastructure Partners LP in the sale of a 67MW portfolio of renewable energy projects
- Dream Unlimited Corp.
Dream Unlimited Corp. the $47.2 million sale of its renewable power portfolio to Potentia Renewables Inc.
- A syndicate of lenders
A syndicate of lenders in connection with the $1.9 billion Wataynikaneyap Power Transmission Project
- BlackRock Financial Management, Inc.
BlackRock Real Assets in the sale of its portfolio of Canadian solar plants to Ullico Inc.
- TC Energy
TC Energy in the sale of its Ontario solar portfolio to Axium
Infinity Solar LP for approximately $540 million
- Veresen Inc.
Veresen Inc. in the sale of its power generation business for $1.18 billion
- iCON Infrastructure
iCON Infrastructure in its agreement to acquire Capstone Infrastructure for $480 million
- iCON Infrastructure, on its agreement to acquire Capstone Infrastructure for $480 million.
- IESO (formerly the Ontario Power Authority) on numerous projects, including:
- The development of procurement documents for the IESO’s, first-of-kind, 16 MW Energy Storage RFP, including drafting and stakeholdering the Energy Storage Facility Agreement.
- The negotiation and drafting of replacement contracts for Ontario’s legacy Non-Utility Generator (NUG) facilities, successfully completing agreements covering nine facilities totalling approximately 550 MW.
- The negotiation and drafting of the Biomass Energy Supply Agreements with Ontario Power Generation Inc. in respect of the conversion of the Atikokan and Thunder Bay coal-fired generating facilities to operate on advanced biomass.
- The negotiation and drafting of Hydroelectric Energy Supply Agreements (HESAs) with Ontario Power Generation Inc. and various first nations partners in respect of the New Post Creek, Upper and Lower Mattagami River complexes, Lac Seul/Ear Falls and Healey Falls generating facilities, representing of 1,000 MW of generating capacity.
- The design, structure, consultation and document drafting for the 200 MW combined heat and power standard offer program (CHPSOP).
- The design, structure, consultation and document drafting for the renewable energy Feed-in Tariff Program (version 1 series), developed in connection with the Green Energy and Green Economy Act, 2009.
- Dream Hard Asset Alternatives Trust, on its senior equity investment in a joint venture with Endurance Wind Power in a portfolio of distributed wind power assets in the United Kingdom operating under the UK Feed-In Tariff program.
- National Bank Canada, on the portfolio construction and term financing facility for the portfolio of 63 rooftop and ground mount solar projects developed by BrightRoof Solar LP (a joint venture of Connor, Clark and Lung and CarbonFree Technologies), in partnership with the Metis Nation of Ontario.
- Great Circle Power Corporation, on the development and operation of commercial sector behind-the-meter generation facilities.
- The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company, Sunlife Assurance Company, Great-West Life Assurance Company, Canada Life Assurance Company and Industrial Alliance Insurance and Financial, on the negotiation and drafting of amendments to the senior unsecured corporate credit facility with Bruce Power Limited Partnership in conjunction with the Amended and Restated Bruce Power Refurbishment and Implementation Agreement entered into with the IESO.
- Nautilus Solar Canada Inc. and New World Capital, on the development and portfolio project financing facility with Rabobank in respect of 25 distributed solar generation projects.
- BlackRock Renewable Energy, on its acquisition from Canadian Solar Inc. of the Demorestville (10 MW), Taylor-Kidd (10 MW), Westbrooke (10 MW) and Oro-Medonte (10 MW) solar farms, on all commercial aspects of the construction and operation of such projects and on the construction and long-term debt financing of such projects with Mizuho Bank.
- KKR Infrastructure Fund on its acquisition, expansion and operation of the 70 MW SSM solar farm in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario and on the sale thereof to Recurrent Energy.
- Hydro One Inc. in the sale of a 30 percent equity interest in the approximately $600 million (Cdn) Bruce-to-Milton transmission reinforcement line to the Saugeen Ojibway First Nation.
- Stonepeak Infrastructure Partners on the acquisition and long term debt financing of the Stone Mills Solar Park (10 MW) from Canadian Solar Solutions Inc., the long term debt financing in respect of such project by The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company and subsequent sale to Dutch Infrastructure Fund.
- SunEdison Canada, on the development, construction and financing of its portfolio of 10 MW ground mount solar generating projects developed under the OPA’s FIT Program.
- Firelight Infrastructure Partners L.P., on all commercial aspects of its equity and debt financing activities in respect of utility scale wind farm projects in Ontario, Nova Scotia and Quebec, in respect of its acquisition and financing of a portfolio of 10 MW ground mount solar projects in Ontario and on its portfolio of rooftop solar generating projects operating under the IESO’s Feed-In Tariff Program, including a portfolio non-recourse project financing facility by Stonebridge Financial of approximately $100 million (Cdn).
- Penn Energy Renewables, on all commercial aspects of its development, construction, financing and operation of its portfolio of 10 MW ground mount solar generating projects developed under the OPA’s FIT Program and the construction and long term debt financing of 3 of such projects with the Manufacturers Life Assurance Company and 4 of such projects with Rabobank.
- Pattern Energy, on the acquisition of Canadian wind farm development assets and related activities.
- Nautilus Solar Canada Inc., on commercial matters in respect of its portfolio of Ontario rooftop solar projects (among Ontario’s first rooftop solar projects to achieve commercial operation under the FIT Program).
- Northland Power on construction and development matters on its 60 MW McLean’s Mountain Wind Farm in Ontario developed under the OPA’s FIT Program and on construction and equipment supply matters on its portfolio of ground-based Ontario solar generating facilities developed under the OPA’s FIT Program.
- Veresen (formerly Pristine Power), on the ongoing project development work for its gas-fired and wind farm power projects in Ontario.
Canada Growth Fund in connection with its strategic partnership with Gibson Energy and Varme Energy
Highland Electric Fleets in connection with its $50 million credit facility with the Canada Infrastructure Bank.
The Canada Growth Fund in its connection with its carbon credit offtake agreement and $200 million strategic investment in Entropy Inc.
First Quality Enterprises in its acquisition of Domtar’s Pulp and Paper Mill in Dryden, Ontario
The IESO in its procurement of seven new battery storage projects and two new natural gas-fired generators
- The Bank of Nova Scotia
The Bank of Nova Scotia in its 15-year renewable energy PPA
- Firelight Infrastructure Partners LP
Firelight Infrastructure Partners LP in the sale of a 67MW portfolio of renewable energy projects
- Dream Unlimited Corp.
Dream Unlimited Corp. the $47.2 million sale of its renewable power portfolio to Potentia Renewables Inc.
- A syndicate of lenders
A syndicate of lenders in connection with the $1.9 billion Wataynikaneyap Power Transmission Project
- BlackRock Financial Management, Inc.
BlackRock Real Assets in the sale of its portfolio of Canadian solar plants to Ullico Inc.
- TC Energy
TC Energy in the sale of its Ontario solar portfolio to Axium Infinity Solar LP for approximately $540 million
- Veresen Inc.
Veresen Inc. in the sale of its power generation business for $1.18 billion
- iCON Infrastructure
iCON Infrastructure in its agreement to acquire Capstone Infrastructure for $480 million
- iCON Infrastructure, on its agreement to acquire Capstone Infrastructure for $480 million.
- IESO (formerly the Ontario Power Authority) on numerous projects, including:
- The development of procurement documents for the IESO’s, first-of-kind, 16 MW Energy Storage RFP, including drafting and stakeholdering the Energy Storage Facility Agreement.
- The negotiation and drafting of replacement contracts for Ontario’s legacy Non-Utility Generator (NUG) facilities, successfully completing agreements covering nine facilities totalling approximately 550 MW.
- The negotiation and drafting of the Biomass Energy Supply Agreements with Ontario Power Generation Inc. in respect of the conversion of the Atikokan and Thunder Bay coal-fired generating facilities to operate on advanced biomass.
- The negotiation and drafting of Hydroelectric Energy Supply Agreements (HESAs) with Ontario Power Generation Inc. and various first nations partners in respect of the New Post Creek, Upper and Lower Mattagami River complexes, Lac Seul/Ear Falls and Healey Falls generating facilities, representing of 1,000 MW of generating capacity.
- The design, structure, consultation and document drafting for the 200 MW combined heat and power standard offer program (CHPSOP).
- The design, structure, consultation and document drafting for the renewable energy Feed-in Tariff Program (version 1 series), developed in connection with the Green Energy and Green Economy Act, 2009.
- Dream Hard Asset Alternatives Trust, on its senior equity investment in a joint venture with Endurance Wind Power in a portfolio of distributed wind power assets in the United Kingdom operating under the UK Feed-In Tariff program.
- National Bank Canada, on the portfolio construction and term financing facility for the portfolio of 63 rooftop and ground mount solar projects developed by BrightRoof Solar LP (a joint venture of Connor, Clark and Lung and CarbonFree Technologies), in partnership with the Metis Nation of Ontario.
- Great Circle Power Corporation, on the development and operation of commercial sector behind-the-meter generation facilities.
- The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company, Sunlife Assurance Company, Great-West Life Assurance Company, Canada Life Assurance Company and Industrial Alliance Insurance and Financial, on the negotiation and drafting of amendments to the senior unsecured corporate credit facility with Bruce Power Limited Partnership in conjunction with the Amended and Restated Bruce Power Refurbishment and Implementation Agreement entered into with the IESO.
- Nautilus Solar Canada Inc. and New World Capital, on the development and portfolio project financing facility with Rabobank in respect of 25 distributed solar generation projects.
- BlackRock Renewable Energy, on its acquisition from Canadian Solar Inc. of the Demorestville (10 MW), Taylor-Kidd (10 MW), Westbrooke (10 MW) and Oro-Medonte (10 MW) solar farms, on all commercial aspects of the construction and operation of such projects and on the construction and long-term debt financing of such projects with Mizuho Bank.
- KKR Infrastructure Fund on its acquisition, expansion and operation of the 70 MW SSM solar farm in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario and on the sale thereof to Recurrent Energy.
- Hydro One Inc. in the sale of a 30 percent equity interest in the approximately $600 million (Cdn) Bruce-to-Milton transmission reinforcement line to the Saugeen Ojibway First Nation.
- Stonepeak Infrastructure Partners on the acquisition and long term debt financing of the Stone Mills Solar Park (10 MW) from Canadian Solar Solutions Inc., the long term debt financing in respect of such project by The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company and subsequent sale to Dutch Infrastructure Fund.
- SunEdison Canada, on the development, construction and financing of its portfolio of 10 MW ground mount solar generating projects developed under the OPA’s FIT Program.
- Firelight Infrastructure Partners L.P., on all commercial aspects of its equity and debt financing activities in respect of utility scale wind farm projects in Ontario, Nova Scotia and Quebec, in respect of its acquisition and financing of a portfolio of 10 MW ground mount solar projects in Ontario and on its portfolio of rooftop solar generating projects operating under the IESO’s Feed-In Tariff Program, including a portfolio non-recourse project financing facility by Stonebridge Financial of approximately $100 million (Cdn).
- Penn Energy Renewables, on all commercial aspects of its development, construction, financing and operation of its portfolio of 10 MW ground mount solar generating projects developed under the OPA’s FIT Program and the construction and long term debt financing of 3 of such projects with the Manufacturers Life Assurance Company and 4 of such projects with Rabobank.
- Pattern Energy, on the acquisition of Canadian wind farm development assets and related activities.
- Nautilus Solar Canada Inc., on commercial matters in respect of its portfolio of Ontario rooftop solar projects (among Ontario’s first rooftop solar projects to achieve commercial operation under the FIT Program).
- Northland Power on construction and development matters on its 60 MW McLean’s Mountain Wind Farm in Ontario developed under the OPA’s FIT Program and on construction and equipment supply matters on its portfolio of ground-based Ontario solar generating facilities developed under the OPA’s FIT Program.
- Veresen (formerly Pristine Power), on the ongoing project development work for its gas-fired and wind farm power projects in Ontario.
Latest Insights
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Report Dec 5, 2024
Navigating Canada’s evolving carbon markets
Carbon markets present an opportunity to contribute to Canada’s climate objectives.
Read more
-
Report Dec 5, 2024
Overcoming infrastructure challenges critical to Canada’s EV ambition
A lack of adequate public EV-charging infrastructure in Canada is a leading obstacle to electric vehicle adoption.
Read more -
Webinar Nov 14, 2024
Osler EV infrastructure and investment summit: the state of charge
Panelists identify opportunities for accelerating the build-out of Canada’s charging infrastructure and EV adoption.
Read more -
Blog Jun 10, 2024
No property, no investment: Koch Industries’ carbon allowances not an ‘asset’ under NAFTA
The International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) recently released its highly anticipated decision in Koch Industries,...
Read more
Awards and Recognition
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Chambers Canada: Canada’s Leading Lawyers for Business: Recognized in Energy: Power (Transactional)
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Chambers Global: The World’s Leading Lawyers for Business: Recognized in Energy: Power (Transactional)
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The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory: Recognized in Energy (Electricity)
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Best Lawyers in Canada: Recognized in Energy Law; Energy Regulatory Law
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Who’s Who Legal: Recognized in Who’s Who Legal: International – Energy; Canada – Energy
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Global Law Experts: Recognized as an Energy & Natural Resources law expert in Canada
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Legal 500: Recognized as a Leading Individual in Power
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Lexpert Special Edition: Recognized in Energy
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IFLR 1000: The Guide to the World’s Leading Financial Law Firms: Recognized in Project Development: Energy (Highly Regarded)
Media Mentions
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Osler News Sep 25, 2023
22 Osler lawyers recognized in Lexpert Special Edition: Energy 2023
Osler is proud to announce that 22 of our lawyers are featured in the Lexpert Special Edition: Energy 2023, recognizing leading lawyers in the oil...
Read more -
Osler News Jun 6, 2023
16 Osler lawyers recognized in Lexpert Special Edition: Infrastructure 2023
Congratulations to 16 of our lawyers for their inclusion in the Lexpert Special Edition: Infrastructure 2023.
Read more -
Osler News Jun 15, 2022
25 Osler lawyers recognized in Lexpert Special Edition: Infrastructure 2022
Congratulations to 25 of our lawyers for their inclusion in the Lexpert Special Edition: Infrastructure 2022.
Read more -
Media Mentions Jul 17, 2018
Municipalities, school boards, others hit by Ontario cancellation of renewable energy contracts — The Globe and Mail
Osler partner Jake Sadikman talks to The Globe and Mail about the impact of the Ontario government's move to cancel renewable energy contracts.
Read more
Speaking and Writing
Speaking Engagements
- Panelist, “Moving from Developing Projects to Developing & Operating them,” Canadian Solar Energy Conference and Trade Show, by the Canadian Solar Industries Association (CanSIA), December 7, 2015.
- Lenders’ Approach to Key Project Risks for Ontario Renewables, APPrO 2011 Annual Conference, Project Finance Panel, November 15, 2011.
Published Work
• The Evolution of Canada’s Carbon Markets and Their Role in Energy Transition; Alberta Law Review Vol 60, No 2: Energy Law Addition, December 2022
Credentials
Education
- University of Toronto, J.D.
- Columbia University, B.A. (cum laude)
Languages
- English
Professional Affiliations
- Canadian Bar Association
- Ontario Bar Association
- Law Society of Ontario
