We have had a long-standing relationship with Ward Hadaway. The lawyers provide ongoing support to a number of our portfolio businesses, including in relation to commercial arrangements, construction, property and constitutional matters
Whether it’s regulatory or compliance advice or support on significant infrastructure and investment projects, you can be confident that your energy project is in safe hands.
Built on decades of sector experience working with energy, utility and renewables clients, our team of technical advisors work with developers, generators, operators, funders, traders, suppliers and supply chain companies.
Whatever your needs, we’ll provide you with a bespoke team with the skills and background to support your project. From finance and funding to planning and development, structuring contracts to securing investment, we have the knowledge, experience and technical expertise to get the job done.
Biogas generation is a particular specialism, and as the leading advisors to the biogas industry outside London, we’ve advised on multiple projects. We’re also experienced in multi-licencing issues and TPIs in the power and gas sector, including OFGEM code compliance.
So if you need experts in your corner, with the technical skills and experience to deliver your project, then we’re here to help.
Work we have done
Fuel extraction - fossil fuels
- Advising a variety of offshore supply chain contractors in connection with LOGIC terms, including fabricators, technology providers and design services
- Advising a world leading subsea ROV services provider in relation to multinational joint venture and equipment acquisition arrangements
- Advising several specialist offshore engineering businesses in connection with contracts for provision of design and engineering services in respect of offshore installations
- Our corporate lawyers have advised specialist offshore suppliers in connection with fund raising and corporate acquisitions, including private equity and traditional debt structures
- We advise many clients in relation to their oil and gas supply chain arrangements, whether UKCS or further afield
- We have advised clients in relation to support vessel fabrication, refurbishment of accommodation units, offshore fire protection and sealings, and labour suppliers in connection with various contractor arrangements
- We have supported numerous offshore technology development businesses in connection with protection and commercial exploitation of their intellectual property
Fuel extraction – waste and agriculture
- Our team advises landowners and fuel importers in relation to arrangements for the supply of biomass material, including waste wood, pellets, and crops
- We have advised clients in relation to a range of biomass and waste fuel arrangements, whether as suppliers or customers, and on a gate fee or purchase model
- We have advised fuel suppliers in relation to logistics and storage arrangements, as well as capital projects relating to fuel management
- We have advised waste operators and project developers in relation to numerous landfill gas generation projects
Generation – Fossil fuels
- Advice to STOR and EFR project developers in connection with OFGEM bidding process
- Advising academic institution in connection with spin out of novel subsea coal gasification
- Advising DNO in connection with various commercial and IT related matters
- Advising DNO in relation to master metering system agreements
- Advising energy intensive businesses in connection with energy efficiency projects
- Advising funders in connection with securitisation of power income in connection with various projects
- Advising gas infrastructure operators in connection with aspects of the Grid Code
- Advising landowners in relation to electricity transmission issues affecting their holdings
- Advising major power consumers in connection with electricity procurement exercises
- Advising multinational process plant operator in connection with major electricity infrastructure projects
- Advising power generators in connection with a range of National Grid CUSC compliance matters
- Advising process facility operators in connection with negotiation of process gas supply agreements
- Advising several major gas consumers in connection with negotiation of gas supply agreements
- Advising several small gas and utilities sellers in relation to domestic and business gas sales and shipping agreements
- Advising the UK’s largest independent gas trader in connection with wholesale and retail gas trading arrangements
- Advising US energy business in connection with various gas transportation agreements for use of UK gas pipelines
- Advising various project developers in connection with power purchase and grid connection arrangements
- Advising owners of a major UK gas fired power generation assets in connection with a range of operating issues, including long term maintenance and shutdown arrangements, regulatory compliance activities and O&M arrangements
- We have supported gas technology suppliers in connection with IPR protection, commercialisation and fundraising relating to international CCGT efficiency systems
Generation – wind
- Advising a German turbine supplier in relation to UK supply arrangements with funders and developers, including the UK’s tallest wind turbines
- Advising a project developer in connection with the acquisition of two consented Feed in Tariff projects in Scotland, including cross border due diligence and acquisition and funding documentation
- Advising a project developer in connection with the development of a portfolio of three onshore schemes in England totalling 30MW. Advice includes property and construction advice, funding agreements, grid and power purchase arrangements on a project finance basis
- Advising senior funders in connection with asset funding arrangements in respect of the acquisition of on-site wind generation facilities by industrial customers
Generation – solar
- Advising a developer of energy projects in connection with the development of a solar energy park in Cyprus
- Advising a national waterways authority in respect of property and planning aspects arising out of several ground mounted solar projects, with a total installed capacity of 1MW
- Advising a number of debt funders in connection with a number of smaller (<500 KW) PV installations, including reviewing lease arrangements and installation/O&M packages
- Advising a solar PV manufacturer on the pre IPO reorganisation, demerger and subsequent IPO of the Company on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange
- Advising a US owned UK supermarket chain in connection with joint venture project with major UK utility to install 8MW of roof mounted PV across a portfolio of 200 UK stores
- Advising numerous project developers in connection with large scale solar projects, including site acquisition, planning consent, grid connection, funding and offtake arrangements on a project finance basis
- Advising several industrial customers in connection with installation of rooftop solar generation systems across an estate of production facilities
- Advising several UK public authorities in connection with large scale solar installation projects in the north of England, arising out of “Green Deal” partnering and retrofit measures
- Advising social housing providers in relation to joint venture arrangements to develop roof top solar estate, including funding arrangements and offtake matters
- Advising the project sponsors in connection with all aspects of projects to develop 7MW ground mounted solar assets in south west England (Cornwall and Devon), including development of debt and equity funding models, site acquisition, planning, and installation and maintenance arrangements
- Providing due diligence to a project developer in connection with the acquisition of a consented solar scheme in SW England
- Providing structural advice to project sponsors in respect of debt and equity issues arising out of the UK’s first major solar fundraising for up to 38,000 panels
- Representing a leading UK PV manufacturer in relation to all aspects of their operations, including JV arrangements with several small scale PV developers
- We have been appointed to advise national facilities management business and ESCO operator in connection with a joint venture project with a UK telecoms operator to install 5MW of roof mounted PV on national property portfolio of exchanges and distribution centres
Generation – EfW, ATT and Biomass
- Advising numerous clients in connection with the funding and installation of on-site biomass generation facilities at their business premises
- Advising several biomass plant suppliers in relation to projects to fund, install and operate biomass CHP facilities at a number of dairies, schools and food processing facilities across the UK
- Advising sponsors in connection with development of portside biomass power facilities in the North East
- Our team advises landowners and fuel importers in relation to arrangements for the supply of biomass material, including waste wood, pellets, and crops
- We have advised clients in relation to a range of biomass and waste fuel arrangements, whether as suppliers or customers, and on a gate fee or purchase model
Generation – AD, Biofuels and Biogas
- Advice to AD plant operators in connection with preparation and negotiation of O&M arrangements, including sub-contract packages
- Advice to developers of industrial waste AD biogas CHP facilities in Durham. Advice including site acquisition, planning, project and contract structuring, project finance and construction advice
- Advice to industrial scale AD project developers in connection with debt and equity structuring, MSA and related project finance matters arising out of industrial food waste AD gas to grid scheme in Yorkshire
- Advising a specialist waste sector funder regarding club debt facilities in respect of agricultural waste AD biogas plant in Wiltshire
- Advising advanced AD technology development business, developing novel treatments for waste substrates, including multiple funding rounds with European equity investors
- Advising developers of multiple agricultural waste AD facilities in Yorkshire, Cumbria and Scotland, including CHP and Gas to Grid schemes. Advice includes development and preparation of bespoke project finance documents to cater for smaller project sizes, and supporting schemes through to financial close
- Advising equity funders in connection with EIS and VCT clearance arrangements in respect of investments into several AD biogas schemes
- Advising funders in connection with development of biogas to grid facilities in Humberside and North Yorkshire
- Advising large agricultural landowners in connection with proposed farm scale AD scheme, including property, planning and grid connection matters
- Advising numerous clients in connection with the funding and installation of on-site biomass generation facilities at their business premises
- Advising plant operators and scheme managers in connection with feedstock contracts for waste AD facilities
- Advising regional academic institution in connection with joint venture documentation for innovative AD biorefinery
- Advising several biomass plant suppliers in relation to projects to fund, install and operate biomass CHP facilities at a number of dairies, schools and food processing facilities across the UK
- Advising sponsors in connection with development of portside biomass power facilities in the North East
- Advising waste operators in connection with the development of several facilities to generate energy from waste landfill methane
- Providing comprehensive project finance support to several anaerobic digestion biogas developers in connection with six farm scale and two industrial scale AD CHP and gas to grid plants
- Providing project finance support to developers in connection with several energy from waste plants in Sunderland, Corby, Humberside, Teesside, Croydon, and Yorkshire
- Provision of planning challenge advice in connection with technical objections to development of AD schemes
Generation – nuclear
- Advising various businesses in connection with the supply of goods and services to customers in the nuclear generation supply chain
- Advising on the acquisition of the issued share capital of several companies supplying goods and services to the nuclear operational and decommissioning sectors
Distribution
- Advising distribution network operators in connection with IT infrastructure arrangements, including asset management systems
- Advising network operators in connection with competition compliance matters
- Advising numerous clients regarding network connection arrangements, including private and public network contracts
- Negotiating meter asset supply and operation arrangements with suppliers for DNO’s
- Providing regulatory compliance and health and safety advice to distribution network operators to minimise risks at site
Retail and trading
- Advice to clients regarding bonding and security arrangements
- Advising several small gas and utilities sellers in relation to domestic and business gas sales and shipping agreements
- Advising the UK’s largest independent gas trader in connection with wholesale and retail gas trading arrangements
- Advising various UK gas suppliers in connection with gas supply agreements with several large consumers
- Drafting and negotiating power and gas supply agreements between suppliers and customers
- Managing intermediary relationships with agents and suppliers
- Supporting multiple retailers and intermediaries in understanding and meeting their licence code obligations
Supply chain
- Advice to developers and suppliers of a novel combined cycle gas turbine improvement technology in connection with funding, patent protection and supply arrangements. Support included advice regarding retrofit contracts for specified gas fired power plant to deliver performance efficiency, with payment based on efficiency savings
- Advising a solar PV manufacturer on the pre IPO reorganisation, demerger and subsequent IPO of the Company on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange
- Advising a variety of offshore supply chain contractors in connection with LOGIC terms, including fabricators, technology providers and design services
- Advising a world leading subsea ROV services provider in relation to multinational joint venture and equipment acquisition arrangements
- Advising supplier of low carbon lighting systems in connection with funding models and supply arrangements for industrial customers
- Advising various businesses in connection with the supply of goods and services to customers in the nuclear generation supply chain
- Providing strategic and legal advice to a process technology business looking to implement organic rankine cycle engine systems within the chemicals sector to improve process efficiency
- Representing a leading UK PV manufacturer in relation to all aspects of their operations, including JV arrangements with several small scale PV developers
- We act for a large number of companies offering services to the companies working in the energy sector including engineering and consultancy services
- We advise numerous suppliers of engineered products to the energy supply industry including pipes, cables and valves
- We have supported numerous offshore technology development businesses in connection with protection and commercial exploitation of their intellectual property
Project funding
- Advice to industrial scale AD project developers in connection with debt and equity structuring, MSA and related project finance matters arising out of industrial food waste AD gas to grid scheme in Yorkshire
- Advising a number of debt funders in connection with a number of smaller (<500 KW) PV installations, including reviewing lease arrangements and installation/O&M packages
- Advising developers in securing funding for numerous development projects
- Advising equity funders in connection with EIS and VCT clearance arrangements in respect of investments into several AD biogas schemes
- Advising equity funders regarding EIS and VCT clearance procedures relating to several investments into cleantech projects
- Advising funders in connection with development of biogas to grid facilities in Humberside and North Yorkshire
- Advising numerous clients in connection with the funding and installation of on-site biomass generation facilities at their business premises
- Advising numerous clients in connection with the funding and installation of on-site biomass generation facilities at their business premises
- Our corporate lawyers have advised specialist offshore suppliers in connection with fund raising and corporate acquisitions, including private equity and traditional debt structures
- Providing advice to project companies in connection with a range of matters including operating agreements, EPC contracts, professional appointments, funding and security packages and feedstock and offtake arrangements
- Supporting numerous debt and equity funders in relation to various generation projects
Energy efficiency and clean technology
- Advice to developers and suppliers of a novel combined cycle gas turbine improvement technology in connection with funding, patent protection and supply arrangements. Support included advice regarding retrofit contracts for specified gas fired power plant to deliver performance efficiency, with payment based on efficiency savings
- Advising developers of novel biowaste technology through multiple funding rounds and IP development activities. Technology designed to increase overall chemical process efficiency through utilisation of waste byproducts
- Advising equity funders regarding EIS and VCT clearance procedures relating to several investments into cleantech projects
- Advising major process sector business in connection with construction aspects arising out of energy efficiency upgrades, including EPC contracting requirements and impact on funding structures
- Advising supplier of low carbon lighting systems in connection with funding models and supply arrangements for industrial customers
- Providing strategic and legal advice to a process technology business looking to implement organic rankine cycle engine systems within the chemicals sector to improve process efficiency
Dispute Resolution and Litigation
- Acting for a group of local authorities in a dispute with a major waste recycling business regarding a proper interpretation of their respective obligations under a long term contract for the recycling of waste
- Representing a national landowning private client in relation to a major flooding event (reported nationally) caused by the collapse of a culvert (through which flows a major tributary of the River Tyne) within the client’s ownership. We have advised in relation to substantial (multi-million pound) claims in nuisance and negligence against the Estate, and regarding all insurance aspects of the matter, including recovery actions against insurers and uninsured losses
- Advising on a nuisance claim involving the escape of chemicals and water onto neighbouring land which undermined the foundations of a residential property. The claim required expert input to be obtained to analyse the cause of the damage and the effect of the chemicals on the clay subsoil. After protracted litigation, a successful recovery was obtained
- Advising on claims under the Water Industry Act in connection with sewers damaged by a drilling company contracted by the local electricity company. The claim was for business interruption caused by the damage to the sewers
- Advising a port organisation in a multi-million pound dispute regarding water/sewerage charges levied by a utility provider for services
- Acting in a dispute relating to a procurement exercise undertaken by a major water supplier for a partner to implement their strategic investment programme for the water network, successfully resolved via negotiation
- Representing a mining company in judicial review proceedings relating to the grant of planning permission for a new deep mine in West Cumbria