About Simon:
Simon leads our environmental law team and is also head of the firm's energy and utilities sector. He is also closely involved in the development of the firm’s ESG programme, both internally and externally.Rising energy prices, the net zero agenda, and the prospect of energy intermittency are driving businesses to reassess how they procure their energy supplies.
We act for energy consumers in all sectors, specialist energy services companies (ESCOs), funders and developers implementing energy management projects as part of a sustainability strategy to achieve key priorities such as reducing carbon emissions, improving their reputation, generating income streams, protecting against volatile energy prices and reducing utility costs.
Our team can support you in navigating your way through the current complexities of the energy crisis. We offer an end-to-end solution.
“Weightmans Energy team work closely with our Real Estate lawyers with a particular expertise in acting for occupiers of properties across numerous sectors. They have recently advised a national third party logistics provider on all legal issues around the development of a new build 200,000 sq ft warehouse where the provision of the required energy supply by the developer was business critical to the operation.
This required working closely with the clients' and developers' technical team on the efficacy of the private wire network between the development and the DNO, the form of the PPA and the relationship between the proposed lease covenants for the occupational lease and the lease to the generator.
How we can help
We offer a range of services that can help you including:
- energy contract reviews and an assessment of the related rights/options,
- advice on energy regulation, dispute resolution and litigation,
- the engagement and appointment of energy consultant to undertake decarbonisation feasibility studies, and
- advice in relation to the procurement and financing of decarbonisation solutions as well as advice in relation to any required consents and how to structure any projects.
Energy contracts and disputes
Team members can advise you on your existing commercial energy contracts and whether you are able to terminate those contracts and change supplier or explore your own independent energy solutions. We can also advise in relation to energy contract disputes more generally, including in relation to contested debts and overpayments.
Analysis of energy independence and decarbonisation options
We have partnered with energy consultants who are able to undertake feasibility studies to explore the opportunities for energy saving measures and other decarbonisation solutions within your business, whether that be onsite renewables and energy storage or offsite solutions and PPAs.
Procurement of energy independence solutions
Our team can then work with you to procure the preferred solutions
Our sector experts facilitate the delivery of generation projects across the full range of technologies, including solar, wind, hydro, storage, energy from waste, marine energy, biomass, and hydrogen.
We provide sector-focused legal advice over the entire lifecycle of a generation project. Our multidisciplinary team provides a one-stop-shop for all your legal needs.
Energy Insights Pod
Our Energy sector-focused podcast exploring the constantly evolving world of the energy transition and the road to decarbonisation and Net-Zero.
Listen nowHurdling to Net Zero: Overcoming the Obstacles to Renewable Deployment and Investment 2024 Report
Since 1990 the UK has seen a more than 50% reduction in carbon emissions across the economy, with a substantial proportion of that driven by the falling emissions from the power sector.
In our latest report, created in partnership with Cornwall Insight, we discuss a series of actions that can be taken by the new government, industry bodies, and market participants to help regain and maintain momentum in the transition to net zero.
Click the link below to read the full report for 'Hurdling to Net Zero: Overcoming the Obstacles to Renewable Deployment and Investment'.
Our other energy and utilities sectors
Accolades
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Weightmans offer a thorough and detailed understanding of the issues.
Chambers & Partners 2023 -
They go the extra mile for their clients.
Chambers & Partners 2023
Our Empower Solicitors