Energy & Natural Resources
Industry experts with a business-oriented approach
One-stop shop for energy projects
The energy and natural resources sector is characterised by a return on investment over long periods of time. Here, more than in almost any other sector, you need a team that not only understands regulations and their implementation, but also knows the market drivers and risks intimately. Given the direct industry background of our lawyers, many of whom have held senior positions at major international energy companies, we understand the commercial drivers in the sector and can offer you technical advice, industry insight and recognition of business objectives that is second to none.
With one of the largest dedicated energy teams in the CEE/SEE region, Wolf Theiss is ideally positioned to be your one-stop shop for energy projects. Our cross-practice team can advise you on all issues that may arise during the life cycle of large-scale energy or mining projects, including on legislative, political and regulatory questions, as well as tax issues. We can help you manoeuvre through the labyrinth of regulations that are not always entirely clear in our developing markets. We aim to mitigate risk but sometimes disputes are unavoidable; we can support you in all administrative, litigation and arbitration proceedings including investment protection and disputes brought under the Energy Charter Treaty.
Given the current global emphasis on green initiatives and the reduction of carbon emissions, renewable energy finds itself centre stage. Review our guide on renewable energy law for unique insights into laws / regulations governing the generation of electricity from renewable energy sources in the CEE/SEE region.
Cross-practice energy experts handling all legislative, political & regulatory issues
Our cross-practice team of energy experts cover all of our legal and tax practices, including Corporate M&A, Banking & Finance, Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Real Estate, Construction & Engineering, Competition & Antitrust, Employment & Data Protection, Public Procurement and more.
Key Contacts
Areas of specialisation
Oil & gas
Today the oil and gas industry is influenced more than ever by factors including market volatility, supply security, environmental risks and regional politics. Moreover, there is a growing international emphasis on exploring unconventional reserves like oil sands, coal bed methane and shale. Consequently, dealing with these complex dynamics demands a higher level of expertise and experience in energy than what has been traditionally expected. We can help you with:
- fuel, gas, pipeline throughput, aviation, LNG, lubes and specialties;
- bunkering;
- concessions and licensing;
- exploration, production and storage;
- upstream, midstream and downstream;
- offshore construction, permitting and development;
- environmental law and oil and gas law.
Renewable energy
Given the current European and global emphasis on green initiatives and the reduction of carbon emissions, renewable energy finds itself in the limelight. Whatever the stage of your project, we can assist you with all issues from development and financing to construction and operation. Our guides on renewable energy law, energy efficiency and waste to energy provide unique insight into national legislations across the CEE/SEE region. We advise on a wide range of green energy projects, including:
- photovoltaic;
- wind (on and offshore);
- hydroelectric;
- geothermal;
- biofuels;
- biomass;
- hydrogen;
- waste to energy;
- energy efficiency and storage;
- transmission and smart grid;
- carbon trading (CO2).
Nuclear energy
With direct industry experience, we have the necessary skills and hands-on expertise to know what you are up against in terms of developing and running a nuclear power plant. Our lawyers have worked in-house at nuclear power plants, while others worked on large-scale project developments from ground-breaking through to completion. We can help you with the regulatory and transactional issues of existing facilities, as well as assist you with the application for, securing of, or overcoming challenges to, the regulatory approvals and permits required for new operations in the nuclear energy sector, including:
- construction and operation of nuclear plants, including small modular reactors (SMR);
- decommissioning of nuclear plants;
- transportation and disposal of nuclear fuel.
Utilities
Whichever part of the utilities sector you belong to, we offer legal expertise combined with industry-specific knowledge of electricity, gas, district heating, water, wastewater and waste management. Our guide on licensing electricity and gas wholesale activities provides a regulatory overview covering the CEE/SEE region. We can help you with:
- power construction projects;
- pricing and tariffs;
- power purchase agreements (PPA);
- trading agreements and balancing groups;
- licensing.
Mining
Exploration and mining laws have become increasingly complicated in recent years and cases often involve cross-border issues. Whether you are a mining company, exploration service company, drilling service company, investment house or an individual investor, you benefit from our law firm’s mining experience representing clients in numerous local and international mining and minerals projects. We can advise you on:
- mining operations;
- analysis of legislation concerning mining and exploration;
- obtaining exploration licenses and mining concessions;
- environmental issues;
- funding mining ventures and projects.
Regulatory
Recent years have seen increasing economic regulatory requirements at European and local levels, in terms of both formal legal requirements and less formal “soft law”. Our team can advise you on all permitting and licensing issues relating to the construction and operation of energy assets, including unbundling aspects and compliance with market rules. By maintaining excellent contacts with the relevant authorities and regulators, you benefit from our representation in all kinds of administrative proceedings.
Environmental
Considering environmental issues at an early stage of planning is essential to save time and money. The provisions of environmental law play an important role in acquisitions, as well as in the planning, implementation, development and licensing of energy and other natural resource projects. These provisions are also crucial for the rapid and efficient implementation of projects.
A multitude of national and European environmental laws and regulations makes it increasingly difficult to obtain a clear and comprehensive picture of legal requirements. Given their years of experience, our environmental law specialists are ideally equipped to filter out and handle relevant issues for you. We advise on a wide range of laws and issues, including:
- ESG and Sustainability
- Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA)
- Energy & High Voltage Transmission Law
- Construction Law
- Water Law
- Waste Law
- Zoning Law
Get in touch
When you need an international team with extensive experience, Wolf Theiss is your right partner to support your business goals through profound legal practice.
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