The energy and utilities sector is constantly and rapidly changing. The sector is subject to extensive and complicated legislation and enjoys constant political attention, e.g. in relation to the production and distribution of renewable energy.
Energy and Infrastructure
At DLA Piper, we advise our clients drawing on our vast experience with privately and publicly owned players in the energy and utilities sector. We advise oil and gas companies, electricity, heating and water supply companies, wastewater treatment companies as well as waste collection and treatment companies. In that connection, we increasingly advise on investments in renewable energy plants in the form of wind farms, biogas plants, solar cells, geothermal energy, etc. As a result of the developments in the energy and utilities sector, we also provide legal advice on an ongoing basis on highly innovative energy production projects, including advice on CO2 reductions, other environmental and climate impact as well as security of supply.
In connection with the deregulation of the sector and the requirements for separation of activities and energy efficiency introduced in the past few years, we have provided legal advice in connection with a large part of the restructurings that have taken place in the energy and utilities sector, and we have also assisted in a considerable number of the mergers, strategic cooperation projects and business transfers completed in the subsequent consolidation process.
We keep close track of legislative developments in the energy and utilities sector, and we advise ministries and government agencies contemplating the implementation of new legislation. We are also in close dialogue with the relevant ministries and government agencies in relation to specific cases/projects and desired legislative adjustments.
We also have many years of experience of preparing consultation responses relating to new legislation for both clients and non-governmental organisations, and we have a dedicated unit which advises the Government of Greenland on the framework and terms for exploitation of natural resources in Greenland.
Electricity, heating and gas supply
As legal advisors to market players in the electricity, heating and gas sectors, we keep a close eye on regulatory and commercial developments.
We provide daily advice to important players in the electricity sector on all aspects of the legal framework for electricity production, transport, trading and supply. We have been actively involved in the deregulation of the electricity sector and its subsequent consolidation, advising on mergers and transfers of both power generation plants and companies engaging in electricity trading, distribution and transmission.
In the heating sector, we provide advice on an ongoing basis to companies owned by municipalities or consumers on the framework for heating production and supply, including advice on the design and completion of public heating supply projects. We advise on pricing and engage in relevant dialogue with the Danish Energy Regulatory Authority.
We advise on gas production – onshore conveyance and supply – both in relation to companies and projects covered by the Natural Gas Supply Act and in relation to investments in biogas production, upgrading of and supply via the natural gas supply network and in relation to combined heat and power plants. Our advice to clients in the gas sector also covers the regulatory framework for conversion to corporate form, conclusion of supply contracts, etc. and pricing principles.
Our industry knowledge and specialisation in all legal areas enable us to provide full-service legal advice to all players in the electricity, heating and gas sectors. In addition to energy law issues relating to conversion to one of the corporate forms and structures permitted by law, licensing and concessions, pricing, etc., our daily advice covers issues such as procurement, planning and environmental issues, particular tax-related issues and financing.
The past few years have seen substantial renewable energy investments in all parts of the energy and utilities sector. We advise some of the largest players in Denmark through all the phases of renewable energy projects – from planning, design, procurement and financing to construction of renewable energy plants.
In the wind sector, we primarily advise companies installing wind turbines on the purchase of rights in sites, environmental law, planning law, licensing and financing as well as the subsequent procurement process and completion of contract negotiations with the wind turbine industry. We also advise on investments in existing wind farms.
In the biogas sector, we have advised the parties to some of the largest projects in Denmark. We therefore have particularly profound knowledge of the technical aspects of biogas plants, and we can offer full-service advice on the planning, design, financing, construction and conclusion of supply and sales agreements for such projects. As part of our involvement in biogas projects, we have been in dialogue with primarily the Danish Energy Agency concerning the legal framework for biogas plants, and we have sought to influence future legislation on the basis of specific projects.
Finally, we provide advice on an ongoing basis on highly innovative energy production projects, including advice on CO2 reductions, other environmental and climate impact and safety of supply.
