01MoU and LOI: decide what is binding
Before exclusivity or a deposit is agreed, identify which provisions are intended to bind the parties. Confidentiality, costs, exclusivity, governing law and dispute clauses need deliberate treatment. The document's title does not settle the effect of its operative wording.
02Price and development risk
The SPA should state what is acquired, how the price is calculated and when payment becomes due. Deferred payments, escrow, retention, debt adjustments and development milestones need evidence requirements, verification rights and workable consequences for disagreement.
03Diligence findings and allocation of liability
Known issues should be connected to disclosure, remediation, specific indemnities and the scope of warranties. Liability caps, time limits, claim procedures and recovery security should be negotiated together. A broad warranty is not a substitute for resolving a material defect before completion.
04Signing, conditions and completion
Separate signing deliverables from conditions precedent and completion actions. Corporate approvals, regulatory clearances, third-party consents, release of security and payment steps need clear responsibility and a completion agenda. Consider how the transaction behaves if a condition is delayed or cannot be satisfied.
05Energy project SPAs
For solar, wind and BESS SPVs, define project maturity through specific documents and conditions. Land, permits, grid capacity, ANRE status and key contracts should support the milestone and price mechanism. Marketing descriptions such as RTB should not carry the entire contractual definition.