Renewable Energy Legal Experts.

We are in the midst of a global energy revolution, with the renewables sector at the forefront.

As renewable energy continues to increase in popularity, we have subsequently seen a rise in governmental regulations, and complex advances in technology to support the growth in this sector.

According to figures provided by gov.uk, renewable energy accounted for just under half of the total electricity generation in the UK in the first quarter of 2023. Wind power is the largest renewables sub sector, accounting for almost a third of the UK’s electricity generation in the same time period, according to figures from Drax Global.

It is predicted that the renewable energy industry will double in capacity every seven years over the next seventy years. Understanding the innovative and ever-changing nature of this industry is what will enable your renewable energy business to adapt, diversify, and achieve success in this increasingly competitive market.

Here at Lanyon Bowdler we understand that you need a legal team to support your renewable energy endeavour and help it go from strength to strength, which is why we strive to keep up to date with the relevant industry regulations and legislation. This allows us to provide a one-stop shop for all of your renewable energy sector needs – we’ll be with you every step of the way, from the very beginning of the project, helping you with everything you need along the way.

We are able to provide a full portfolio of legal services to the full spectrum of renewable energy enterprises, including onshore and offshore wind, hydropower, marine energy, solar photovoltaics, energy from waste, and energy storage.

Whatever kind of renewable energy sub sector you operate in, you can expect a high level of legal expertise from our team in areas which include:

Marine and offshore renewables projects
Options and leases for battery storage, solar panels, hydroelectricity, vertical farming, EV charging
Construction, procurement, and supply chain packages
Carbon law
Project finance
Agricultural law
Energy disputes
Grid connection
Dispute resolution
Real estate acquisition
Contracts for difference
Diversification opportunities
Operation and maintenance
Deeds of grant of easements
Grant funding and subsidy control
Corporate mergers and acquisitions
Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs)

This list is by no means exhaustive, and if you have any kind of legal concern regarding your renewable energy business, please do get in touch and our specialist team will be happy to assist. Whether you are looking to diversify your existing business, establish a new business, or sell your business, we make it our business to ensure that everything runs as smoothly as possible for you every step of the way.

Understanding the Renewables Sector

Our experience providing legal assistance for different renewables businesses has provided us with an excellent understanding of how the sector operates. We understand that there are often individuals out there with the vision and ability to meet a need within the market, but that they may lack the knowledge of the exact legal requirements to turn their business vision into a successful reality.

Renewables projects often have a cradle to the grave life cycle consisting of four stages of existence, and at each stage there are different requirements, as follows:

Stage One – Development and Consent

Renewable energy projects typically require detailed planning, including surveying the location, carrying out environmental impact assessments, holding community consultations, and obtaining permission from the relevant authorities, such as The Crown Estate.

Stage Two – Installation and Commissioning

At this stage of the project, the organisation reviews their operations and begins to put into place things like storage, warehousing, factory space, what components and equipment are required, as well as recruiting people with the right skills for the job. In order to get the energy from the source to the substation there may need to be agreements for accessing private land, extensive groundworks, archaeological surveys, and the laying of cables. This all presents employment opportunities and can impact the wider infrastructure, benefitting local hotels, restaurants, and logistics firms.

Stage Three – Operation and Maintenance

The equipment used to generate renewable energy requires routine maintenance, as well as potentially unexpected repairs. For example, a wind turbine farm requires rotor blades, generators, and gearboxes to operate efficiently. Issues with any of the components could lead to a reduction in the amount of energy generated, affecting profits, so efficient repairs and maintenance are essential. This presents an opportunity for a joint venture between the energy company and another company, or companies, that can provide maintenance and incident support.

Stage Four – Decommissioning and Repowering

Once a renewable project, such as a wind farm, comes to the end of its life, one option is for it to be decommissioned. This typically involves the removal of equipment, such as wind turbines, and any ancillary infrastructure around the site, allowing the land that was used to be revegetated and returned to its former use. Another option is to repower the site by replacing older, less efficient turbines with newer, more powerful ones in order to keep the site going and improve the output of energy.

Key Contact

Over recent years we have seen a significant increase in the number of clean energy instructions we have been receiving. Edward has dealt with the development of sites for wind, solar, hydro, battery and biomass projects. Recent instructions include acting on behalf of multiple landowners in connection with solar park in North Wales and a wind farm in South Wales, both involving multiple developers. It is an exciting time for those involved in this fast moving and ever-changing sector. Experience of the market is essential to ensure that relevant advice can be given to those involved in any such projects.

Meet the team

Edward Nutting

Partner

Agriculture | Commercial Property | Renewables | Leisure & Tourism

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Our Expertise

There are a number of key elements required in order to secure the future of a renewable energy enterprise. Our specialist team can help to ensure the success of your business by offering support with the following aspects:

The formal process

Our renewables legal specialists can draw up contracts, procurement procedures, and service level agreements compliant with the current and relevant industry regulations.

Finance

Financial arrangements between your organisation and public or private sector funders must be put into place by a specialist solicitor, in order to ensure that everything is done in line with the relevant legislation.

Joint ventures

When a partnership is properly managed and organised from the outset it is more likely to work well in the long term. Our specialist renewables solicitors can aid you in collaborating with other businesses to support your renewables venture and establish an effective supply chain, ensuring your service level agreements are water-tight.

Human resources

As your business diversifies and expands it may lead to the upskilling of existing staff and/or the hiring of additional staff, which will typically involve an update to your company’s policies and procedures. You may also find it necessary to hire self-employed contractors, and we can help you to navigate the legal aspects of that. In addition, Brexit has brought about changes in the way in which UK companies can employ workers from EU countries, so we can provide up to date legal counsel regarding that.

Training and development

Within the renewables sector it is particularly important to ensure that staff are competent and confident in their roles. This is done by providing regular training and upskilling to employees, ensuring the recruitment process selects the right people for the right jobs, and that a good working environment is in place to ensure a high level of staff retention. Our renewables legal team can help to ensure that any training carried out is in line with the current industry legislation.

Infrastructure

When a business expands and diversifies it often leads to new premises, or an extension to the existing premises. This can involve things like applying for planning permission, drawing up contracts, and amending terms and conditions, and our renewables legal team can help with all of this, and more.

Contact Lanyon Bowdler Today

Here at Lanyon Bowdler we understand the ever changing nature of the renewables industry, and our dedicated renewables legal team are continuously striving to remain up to date with current legislation and industry best practices, thus enabling us to better meet the needs of your business.

Whether you’d prefer to speak to us on the phone, join us in one of our branches, send us an email, or chat to us online, we’re happy to communicate with you in whatever way suits you best.

Some of our previous and current clients have chosen us for a number of reasons, including:

The compassion we have for you and your business
The way we treat all of our clients fairly and respectfully
Our friendly approach and effective communication
Our deep knowledge and experience of the renewables sector
The way in which we solve problems and prioritise your needs
How we listen and understand the individual needs of your business
How we work with you, not just for you – our team is your team

We have received high accreditation from leading legal directories The Legal 500, and Chambers UK, which is something we are very proud of. When you choose Lanyon Bowdler as your renewables legal partner, you can be assured you have the best legal expertise on hand to deal with whatever challenges you may be facing. We strive to put ourselves in your shoes and think like you in order to ensure we deliver a service that is tailored to your needs.

We have offices based in Shrewsbury, Oswestry, Bromyard, Hereford, Conwy, Ludlow, and Telford, enabling us to represent clients all over Shropshire, Herefordshire, Mid and North Wales, as well as across the Midlands and Birmingham. In addition to this, we are also able to offer assistance to businesses on a remote basis, meaning that we can represent you wherever you are based within England or Wales.

Our people