Energy policy and the many regulatory issues surrounding it is an increasingly important and complex area, and one where we have very strong credentials. Indeed it is an area we are firmly committed to, in our hearts as well as our minds, as natural resources continue to diminish and renewables move centre stage. Our passion for the area of renewables drives us to continuously create adaptive and contemporary resolutions for our clients.

The firm is an active member of the Irish Wind Energy Association, the National Offshore Wind Association (NOW), the Energy Institute in Ireland, Irish Bioenergy Association, the Irish Geothermal Association and the Irish Green Building Council, of which Philip Lee is chairman.

The lead partner in this practice area is Philip Lee, who has a background in energy law and telecommunications regulation as well as having had practical experience of the oil company business. Prior to establishing the firm in 1993 Philip worked as in-house counsel and as a manager in Shell for over eight years.

Wind Energy

We advise the aforementioned National Offshore Wind Association of Ireland on important issues such as foreshore consents, grid connections and the Renewables Directives in respect of market pricing mechanisms, and have also acted for a large consortium of wind farm developers seeking to enforce their right to national grid connections. We instigated a consultation process on their behalf with the Energy Regulator to substantially improve the terms of grid connection offers, including altered risk allocation improved commitments on timing and communication and co-ordinator of the capital projects. The consortium represented over 1000 megawatts of grid connection which were to be involved in a capital spend in excess of €1 billion.

Ocean and Tidal Energy

We have been involved in cases that require quite specific technical expertise in new and growing areas of ocean, marine and tidal energy projects. The firm advised a joint venture in relation to its application for a foreshore licence to develop ocean energy sites off the coast of Galway and Mayo. Our client required advice on the need for, and the scoping of, a proposed Strategic Environmental Assessment of off-shore energy projects, similar to SEAs completed in the UK. We have also advised the Ocean Energy Development Unit on consents for developments outside of the territorial seas area.

Bio Energy

Our Energy team has advised and represented Ethanol Ireland in connection with its proposed large-scale bioethanol processing facility in the South East of Ireland, advising on the biofuel obligations, the regulatory pricing structures, planning and environmental procedures and compliance obligations, strategic infrastructure development of associated port and harbour facilities and related matters.

Gas and Electricity

Philip Lee is part of a consortium that has completed the competition design and procurement of the East West Interconnector, a several hundred million euro electricity interconnector between Ireland and the UK. In addition to the specialist procurement, construction, project finance and energy advice provided by us, the consortium worked on the planning and environmental (including marine) risks regulations and policy issues applicable in Ireland and the UK.

We have also advised clients in relation to grid connection offers, specifically in relation to the planning and environmental constraints imposed by the proposed routing through a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and related matters, and acted as legal advisors to Airtricity plc on regulatory issues until it was acquired by Scottish and Southern Energy.