Green Energy

Legal specialists for the low carbon energy infrastructure sector

The UK’s energy generation market has been transformed over the last 10 years. This level of change is set to continue, with renewable and nuclear energy predicted to deliver most of the UK’s energy in the coming years. This is enabled by technological advances that improve efficiency and cost effectiveness.

Our specialist cross-disciplinary team of solicitors has been involved in the low carbon arena for many years and has extensive experience of delivering seamless, sector-focused legal advice on all aspects of energy generation. We provide a ‘one-stop shop’ for our clients, many of whom we have a long-standing relationship with, and we work with operators, contractors, investors, landowners and local authorities.

Our green energy expertise

Our nationally rated Green Energy team takes pride in staying up to date with developments in the industry. We have built long standing partnerships in the renewable sector over the last 20 years and are retained to act for biogas operators; district heating scheme companies; wind and solar farm developers; and our agricultural clients who have diversified amongst others. Our experience has grown considerably and look forward to supporting new green energy developments including tidal, and hydrogen in the coming years.

We have been involved in the nuclear energy sector since 2010 and have developed a strong reputation supporting the construction of Hinkley Point C (HPC), the first new UK power plant to be built in over a generation at a cost of £22 billion over a 10-year period. We act on an ongoing basis for principal site operations and construction contractors.

Why choose Clarke Wilmott

We bring a long-term and proven track record in green energy and associated infrastructure projects. Working with our clients we identify potential risks and opportunities by providing practical advice to bridge any legal or contractual obstacles, bringing in experienced and relevant experts from the business when required.

Our ‘whole project life’ approach and the breadth of our expertise, means we can support our clients every step of the way. From scheme inception through to planning, set up, site operations, build, finance, regulation, commissioning and subsequent operation of plants and facilities, we will provide you with the legal support you need to achieve your commercial and environmental goals.

The team is headed by Priscilla Hall, who has spent 20 years working in the low carbon sector and leads our national Construction and Green Energy teams. Priscilla has been involved in projects in solar, wind, waste to energy and associated sectors. She is supported by industry and legal specialists in property, banking and finance, construction, corporate, planning and the environment, and employment and HR.

We are active members of various low carbon industry membership organisations and groups including RenewableUK, Renewable Energy Association, Hinkley Professional Services Group, Wales Nuclear Forum and Nuclear South West.

Our green energy legal experience in action

Solar

Dillington Estate

The Dillington Estate project was to structure and develop a large-scale (9.3MW) solar installation. Our advice and involvement included negotiations with EPC and operations and maintenance contractors, as well as the funder. We also advised the estate on the project financing aspects of the transaction and the lease.

Solar Farm

We acted for a landowner in relation to the grant of a lease for an extension to an existing solar park. Our involvement was in negotiating and drafting the lease to be entered into and a deed of variation of existing solar lease between the landowner and renewable company. Ancillary to the matter we also acted for the landowner in the negotiation of a direct agreement with an Australian bank who was providing finance to the renewable company.

Wind

Velocita Energy Developments Ltd

We acted on the drafting and negotiation of the construction contracts for the development of a wind farm in Wales. The wind farm generates 24MW of energy using Siemens turbines. The procurement was multi-contract and involved negotiations with Siemens and UK based civil contractor. We also dealt with negotiations with the funder’s lawyers.

Fred Olsen Renewables UK

We acted for Fred Olsen on many of their wind farm developments in the UK, including Crystal Rig (50MW), Crystal Rig II (150-200MW), Rothes (50MW), and Paul’s Hill (64MW). We have advised on a range of contracts which include turbine supply contracts, operation and maintenance agreements.

Biogas and Energy from Waste

EnviTec (UK) Limited

We act for this UK subsidiary of Envitec AG in relation to the development of biogas plants in the UK. This includes advising them on site acquisition, option agreements, freehold transfer and long lease, all due diligence aspects, advice in relation to feedstock agreements, finance arrangements and construction documentation. We have also advised them on connection requirements, as the plants are gas to grid, as well as including CHP units to enable the generation of electricity.

Aqua Consultants

We act on an ongoing basis in its development of various anaerobic digestion projects in the UK. Our advice includes negotiating the project finance documentation including facility agreements, debentures, share charges, security assignments direct agreements, shareholder agreements and associated documentation. It also includes advising the client in relation to the underlying site documentation and the negotiation of variations with the landowners involved in order to satisfy the funders requirements.

Combined Heat and Power / District Heating Schemes

Cranbrook New Community

We acted for a consortium of developers in relation to Cranbrook scheme, a new town in East Devon ultimately containing over 6500 properties. We negotiated the arrangements with a major utility company to design, install, operate, and maintain a local energy centre and combined heat and power plant to serve the domestic occupiers of the development.

South Bristol Energy

We act for South Bristol Energy, a joint venture company funded by Low Carbon in relation to a proposed energy centre for South Bristol which is intended to serve a major regeneration of the area in several phases. The advice includes input relating to the structuring of the Energy Services Company, energy services agreements with developers and the supply agreements with end uses along with the energy centre lease and associated requirements .

Nuclear Energy

Somerset Passenger Solutions (SPS)

We act for the joint venture SPS and supported them in successfully securing a 10-year NEC3-based contract for the transportation of workers to and from the Hinkley Point C construction site. SPS currently employs more than 300 staff and operates around 100 buses to exacting standards of service. The advice provided is complex and ongoing in a variety of disciplines including corporate, construction, employment and commercial property.

HOST 2 Ltd

HOST is a consortium that was formed to provide specially designed accommodation for the teams working on the construction of Hinkley Point C. The two campuses in Bridgwater and Hinkley have a combined 1496 bedrooms with tailored dining, leisure, and sports facilities. We have acted for them throughout their journey of setting up, winning the 8-year NEC3 contract, and helping to deliver the contract.

Battery Storage

We have acted for a landowner in relation to the grant of an option to a renewable developer in relation to a potential battery storage and gas-powered generation project. Upon exercising the option, the landowner will grant the developer a 25-year lease, with a minimum rental of £80,000 per year.

Contact our specialist green energy solicitors

Our green energy solicitors, based in Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, London, Manchester, Southampton and Taunton, are ready to discuss your case. Call today on 0800 652 8025 for a free consultation or get in touch online.