What does an energy lawyer do?

Energy and infrastructure

In the rapidly evolving world of energy and infrastructure, facing challenges such as the energy trilemma (affordability security and sustainability), global decarbonisation efforts, and geopolitical tensions, Browne Jacobson LLP stands at the forefront of legal expertise.

Our dedicated energy lawyers are adept at navigating the complexities of the sector, offering unparalleled advice and support for a broad range of energy and infrastructure projects. With a strong focus on innovation, sustainability and investment in clean technology, we are committed to advancing the net zero agenda while ensuring our clients' projects achieve their full potential.

Whether you're dealing with the impacts of global issues or seeking to capitalise on the opportunities presented by the energy transition, our team is equipped to guide you through every step, making the complex simple and driving your projects to success.

Energy and infrastructure law services

We cover the full asset life cycle in the energy and infrastructure industry, from technological concept through to operational aspects and asset transactions. Our partner-led teams offer energy law advice underpinned by sector-specific knowledge and experience, focusing on practical solutions and commercial value.

Our asset life cycle advice includes:

underlying technological concept,
regulatory,
procurement,
planning and authorisation phase,
raising of equity and debt capital,
development,
everyday operational aspects - including negotiating the ongoing commercial contracts, advising on agreements with governments, license agreements and securing/protecting the related IP, and
sale or acquisition of such assets and businesses - including the provision of sector-focused advice around asset-level legal due diligence.

Igneo Infrastructure Partners

“…The firm demonstrated real depth across its energy and infrastructure practice in assisting the delivery of a string of high profile and complicated transactions for us [providing] an excellent value proposition…and delivering top-quality advice underpinned by deep sector knowledge and an appreciation of our commercial needs”

What we do

Our sector-aligned teams take a pragmatic approach, simplifying complex issues and forging connections between clients to find creative solutions. We draw on our experience with a broad range of clients, including sponsors, equity investors, financiers, corporates, and more.

This unique combination of public and private sector practice means we understand the concerns and objectives of all participants in the sector.

Pragmatic approach and creative solutions

The energy and infrastructure sector is currently facing unprecedented challenges both domestically and globally. The energy trilemma - affordability, security, and sustainability - has become critically important, demanding simultaneous attention. Despite these challenges, our energy lawyers have been actively involved in some of the most significant transactions in the energy market, supporting a diverse range of clients.

The rapid evolution of the energy sector

The pace of change within the energy and infrastructure sector has been dizzying. Global issues such as decarbonisation, innovation, protectionism, and resource scarcity have prompted numerous UK law and policy initiatives, which continue to evolve rapidly. These global pressures are having a profound impact at both national and regional levels.

Overcoming global and economic challenges

Despite ongoing challenges like the Covid-19 pandemic, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, supply chain disruptions, rising energy costs, inflation, geopolitical tensions, and climate change effects, there's significant momentum around the energy transition. This presents a real need for rapid development, innovation, and opportunities.

Investment in clean technology and renewable energy

The urgent need for investment in clean technology, renewable energy, and associated infrastructure continues to grow. While liquidity in the infrastructure market remains strong, challenges in the sphere of lesser-matured clean and infra technology must be addressed to further the net zero agenda.

Navigating unprecedented challenges in the energy sector

Societal and environmental impact are at the forefront of our business agenda. We are proud to support transactions that advance these causes, underpinned by our firmwide commitment to sustainable energy and net zero. Our work in the energy and infrastructure sector is an extension of our values.

Our commitment to societal and environmental impact

We strive to build long-term relationships with our clients, recognising the need for investment and energy. Our lawyers provide constructive, innovative, and pragmatic advice, aiming to build connections and achieve transactional aims efficiently and effectively.

We are members of the Energy and Utilities Alliance (EUA) and founding members of Pangea Net's specialised energy and renewables group. Our close work with the Midlands Engine on sustainability policy and our partnership with O-Shaped highlight our commitment to collaboration and innovation within the sector.

Our approach is collaborative and open-minded, focused on achieving your deadlines and transaction milestones. We are committed to helping you achieve your transactional aims, ensuring you only pay for value, and excited to grow our relationships with energy and infrastructure clients during this period of rapid innovation and development.

Press release

Celebrating two years of partnership between O Shaped and Browne Jacobson

Pragmatic approach and creative solutions

This unique combination of public and private sector practice means we understand the concerns and objectives of all participants in the sector.

Navigating unprecedented challenges in the energy sector

The rapid evolution of the energy sector

Overcoming global and economic challenges

Investment in clean technology and renewable energy

Our commitment to societal and environmental impact

Building long-term relationships

Collaborative and innovative partnerships

Press release

Celebrating two years of partnership between O Shaped and Browne Jacobson

Multi-jurisdictional corporate financing

Advising multinational tunnelling and mining corporate PBE Group on its multi-jurisdictional corporate financing arrangements.

Commercial elements of construction

Advising Covanta Energy on the commercial elements of the construction of an IBA treatment facility at Wellingborough, providing an efficient IBA solution for its energy-from-waste plant.

Flagship garden town project

Advising Folkestone and Hythe District Council in relation to Otterpool Park a flagship garden town project with an estimated gross development value of £2.8bn, the potential to deliver up to 10,000 new homes and employment space supporting up to 8,000 jobs.

Infrastructure projects

Advising the Welsh European Funding Office on a significant tidal infrastructure project to facilitate the further development of tidal power generation technologies through providing ‘plug and play’ infrastructure.

Advised Oxford City Council on a high-profile infrastructure project which will support the City of Oxford in its sustainable goals strategy through the launch of an electrical vehicle (EV) charging hub.

Energy lawyers handle everything related to energy and infrastructure assets, from regulations and finances to contracts and transactions. They give practical advice, focusing on teamwork, meeting deadlines, and adding value for their clients.

Stuart Champion de Crespigny CEO, PBE Group

“The Browne Jacobson team worked seamlessly and to a very tight timescale in order to help us to achieve a great result in this complex cross-border deal. The team has great commercial awareness, fully available and great knowledge in complex deal structures and really gets to the root of what a business is trying to achieve”

Igneo Infrastructure Partners

“…The firm demonstrated real depth across its energy and infrastructure practice in assisting the delivery of a string of high profile and complicated transactions for us [providing] an excellent value proposition…and delivering top-quality advice underpinned by deep sector knowledge and an appreciation of our commercial needs”

Jon Duffy CEO, CPH2

“I also want to thank…[the Browne Jacobson team] for the strong and highly commercial advice they gave on this complex project. The team did everything they could to meet the critical timescales in place and made us feel like a number one priority.”

Adrien Lebrun

“We operate in a fast moving, highly innovative sector and the confidence shown by Zouk Capital in the business through its investment will be critical in helping us to deliver our long term strategic vision. We are delighted with the support provided by [the] team at Browne Jacobson which has been first rate”

Banking and finance

Construction and engineering services

Corporate

Criminal compliance and regulatory

Digital and sourcing

Environmental

Health and safety

Intellectual property

Mergers and acquisitions

Planning

Projects and contract procurement

Real estate

Subsidy control

Tax

Andy Cox

Non-Executive Director – Energy and Infrastructure

"We’ve appointed several industry-aligned Non-Executive Directors to our sectoral strategy boards. Andy is the Non-Executive Director of Browne Jacobson’s Energy and Infrastructure sector group."

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