Browne Jacobson advising the Welsh Government on the delivery of significant number of renewable energy projects

Browne Jacobson has been appointed as legal adviser to longstanding client, the Welsh Government, on the set up of the Renewable Energy Developer (RED) programme which will support the delivery of a significant pipeline of renewable energy projects.

The new four-year contract, which has an option to extend by one year, will see the firm advise on a range of areas including, corporate governance, IT and data, subsidy control, procurement, planning and environmental law, and property.

Welsh Government is the devolved government for Wales, led by the First Minister. The Government works across all areas of public life, including such key areas as health, education and the environment. 

UK and Ireland firm Browne Jacobson recently announced the opening of its first office in Wales, located in Cardiff, having delivered legal advice to clients in Wales for over 25 years.

The firm have previously given strategic advice to the Welsh Government on several high-profile matters in recent years including the Covid-19 pandemic inquiry, post-Grenfell Building Safety, and the development of the £35m Morlais tidal stream renewable energy project located off the coast of Anglesey.

Browne Jacobson partner Craig Elder who works across the firm’s Government and Infrastructure and Energy and Infrastructure practice and is leading the Browne Jacobson team on this project said: “We are thrilled to have landed this major new instruction, to advise the Welsh Government in establishing the RED programme. The programme will be integral to the development of a number of exciting and important large scale solar and wind projects on public land, whilst this appointment builds on the diverse legal expertise we have showcased recently on some major, innovative Welsh clean energy infrastructure projects.”

Tim Edds, Head and joint co-founding partner of the Cardiff office added: “We are proud to have been given the opportunity to further strengthen our relationship with the Welsh Government and support them in the strategic setup and vision of the RED programme. This appointment is a great endorsement of our ambitions relating to our newly opened Cardiff office, to advise on innovative green energy projects that are having a positive impact in the renewable energy sector, in which Wales is leading the way. The work underpins our firmwide commitments to actively supporting the ESG agenda and the fight against climate change.”

Browne Jacobson’s energy and infrastructure expertise spans the entire ‘asset’ lifecycle. Its highly experienced, sector-aligned teams deliver high quality legal advice on renewables (including wind, solar and tidal), hydrogen, water, energy-from-waste (EFW), district heating, power generation and storage, electric vehicles/associated charging infrastructure, oil and gas, nuclear, energy disputes and utilities, and in each case across a variety of funding models (including PFI/PPP). Clients include sponsors, equity investors, financiers, corporates, Government/public sector clients, construction companies, developers, landowners and energy purchasers.

Browne Jacobson’s government and infrastructure sector client portfolio is made up of local authorities, housing providers, NHS bodies, central government departments and arm’s length bodies. The team provides a comprehensive range of services to public bodies covering administrative law, governance, commercial and procurement, property, employment, health and safety, liability litigation, inquiries and function specific advice. The practice is recognised nationally as ‘a true heavyweight’ in the public sector by independent legal directories, Chambers & Partners and Legal 500.