DLA Piper continues to consolidate its market leading position in the region’s energy projects sector, receiving high-level instructions advising on renewables, new technologies, innovative battery storage projects, as well as government procurement processes. Andrew S. Davies, specialist in the waste, water and nuclear sectors, heads up the group of specialists, including Liam Cowell who is known for his expertise in handling complex deals in the infrastructure market and is lead partner in advising the MoreWater Consortium in their bid to be appointed contractor of the HARP DPC water tunnelling project where he acts with legal director Ben Morton who has particular expertise in the energy efficiency sector. Legal director Lorna Pattison acts for sponsors and funders in PPP and infrastructure projects.
Energy, project finance and PFI in North West
DLA Piper
Practice head(s):
Andrew S. Davies
Other key lawyers:
Liam Cowell; Ben Morton; Lorna Pattison; Lauren Fisher; Hayley Mason
Testimonials
‘The team we work with on a regular basis thoroughly understand the complex nature of our sector and are skilled in communicating complex legal principles to ensure the Client can consider the legal and commercial risks to ensure the correct decision is made for the business.’
‘The team are responsive and will swiftly act on any queries, fully supporting the Client’s requirements to enable project matters to close successfully.’
‘Excellent team. DLAP are able to deal with complexity while listening carefully to the clients’ needs. They do not condescend, apply a lot of creativity, and work to time.’
Key clients
Welsh Ministers
Tees Valley Combined Authority
Yorkshire Water Services Limited
Kelda Water Services Limited
Sellafield Limited
Renewi UK Services Limited
Vital Energi Solutions Limited
LondonEnergy Limited
Wastefront AS
Pilkington
London Energy Limited
Aviva Public Private Finance Limited
Greater Manchester Combined Authority
Bank of Scotland Plc
Dexia Credit Local SA
Investec
Market Operator Services Limited
Magnox Limited
Ambac Assurance UK Limited
Avrenim Facilities Management Limited
Consort Healthcare (Salford) Plc
Consort Healthcare (Tameside) Plc
Lloyds Bank Plc
St James’s Oncology SPC Ltd
Integrated Bradford SPV Limited
SGN Commercial Services Limited
Indaver Rivanhall Ltd
Bio Capital Ltd
FCC Environment Services (UK) Ltd
Surrey County Council
Biffa Waste Services
Invesis
Allied Irish Bank
Bank of Ireland
Alix Partners
Circor
Flotech Fluidpower
KEPCO
Solein Energy
Aqua Power
Work highlights
- Advised Tees Valley Combined Authority on the procurement of an energy recovery facility to treat c450,000 tonnes of residual waste each year.
- Advising the MoreWater Consortium in relation to their bid to be appointed as Contractor on the HARP project.
- Advising KEPCO in relation to its bid for the finance, construction, operation and maintenance of a nuclear new build project for two 1400 MW reactors in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Pinsent Masons LLP
Pinsent Masons LLP boasts an established team of specialist construction, energy and natural resources lawyers, advising on large-scale projects, including regeneration, waste nuclear, offshore wind and energy from waste projects, in the region as well as internationally. The group, co-led by projects expert Mark Job and construction specialist Michael Hopkins, has built a reputation for its offering in both owner and supplier-led transactions. Graham Alty led the team advising Sellafield Limited in relation to over £20bn of capital projects at its nuclear decommissioning site in Cumbria. While Scot Morrison is the key name for PPP projects, Siân Hughes specialises in construction and civil engineering disputes and legal director Jo Falencka is called upon to advise on transactional construction projects, most notably in the utilities sector. Senior associates Laura Tetlow and Simon Stubbs are also noted.
Practice head(s):
Mark Job; Mike Hopkins
Other key lawyers:
Graham Alty; Anthony Bradley; Scot Morrison; Siân Hughes; Jo Falencka; Laura Tetlow; Simon Stubbs; Peter Feehan
Testimonials
‘Use Pinsent Masons team for “Project” work more generally – they are strong as they have a broad team with good reach into the diverse areas of specialism that we would look to engage them on. Very good at getting “into” a business and understanding what the aims are that we are trying to achieve. Not solely out of London – but also use expertise at regional offices well, without you feeling that the offering is disjointed’
‘Nick Ogden – makes you really feel as though he is on the client’s side. Thinks strategically and if he isn’t finding you answers to problems, is thinking of what may be a problem that you will need an answer too. Andrew Brydon – just strong technically across a number of different disciplines and with a manner that stakeholders like.’
‘We have dealt with the team on a solar energy project. They have a great deal of relevant experience, and are very responsive and pragmatic. They have really added value to our project, and work well with our other non-legal consultants. In fact they have suggested other firms who can help us in other disciplines, which has been invaluable. They are flexible in how they work, have a a great level of partner involvement on the project (which not all big firms do), they don’t bring people to meetings who aren’t necessary and they don’t chase us unnecessarily.’
Key clients
Sellafield Ltd
Ministry of Justice
Transport Infrastructure Ireland
The Silvertown Partnership LLP (TSP), a joint venture between Starwood Capital and Lendlease
Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council and Hampshire County Council
London Borough of Wandsworth
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Southern Water
United Utilities
Tees Valley Combined Authority
Heathrow Airport Limited
Balfour Beatty
Ferrovial Construction
Anglian Water
Connect Plus Services
Laing O’Rourke
Work highlights
- Advising Transport Infrastructure Ireland on the procurement of the Dublin Metrolink project.
- Advising Sellafield Limited in relation to over £20bn of capital projects at its nuclear decommissioning site in Cumbria.
- Advising The Silvertown Partnership LLP (TSP) on a regeneration project at The Royal Docks site in Silvertown.
Addleshaw Goddard
Drawing on in-depth knowledge and bench strength across a wide sectorial landscape, most notably, the infrastructure, healthcare and utilities sectors, Addleshaw Goddard‘s team acts for public sector bodies, private sector sponsors as well as debt and equity investors. The group is jointly led by Michael O’Connor, leading expert on public-private transactions, Andrew Pettinger, expert on major regeneration and PPP/PFI projects, and high-level energy project advisor Sara Gilmore. While Philip Dupres, who joined the partner ranks in May 2022, handles the utilities side of the practice, co-head Stephanie Townley maintains both an advisory and contentious practice.
Practice head(s):
Michael O’Connor; Andrew Pettinger; Sara Gilmore; Stephanie Townley; Philip Dupres
Testimonials
‘Excellent background knowledge and experience in PPPs and PFIs and good breadth of support across the wider team when dealing with recent complex refinancing transaction’
‘Prompt response and good availability led by Sara Gilmore and with strong supporting cast’
‘The team has a wealth of regulatory power experience and an ability to deal with complex power and tolling agreements with ease. The team are incredibly friendly, professional and responsive.’
‘As above, the power regulatory experience the individuals have is excellent. Both Matthew and Sara (who we deakt with) were incredibly professional and helpful and have the capcity to explain complex regulatory provisions in an easily digestible format and provide practical, commercial solutions to issues arising.’
‘The Team we worked with had a great, wide knowledge base in their relevant areas. There was a also a deep availability of knowledge on call where specialist advice was required in specific areas.’
‘The Team have been very friendly, personable and approachable. They are considered and measured in the approach with quick and comprehensive responses. Andrew Pettinger, Chris Hardy and Steph Townley have all been great throughout the transaction’
Key clients
Gresham House Investment Management (Guernsey) Ltd
Liberty Charge Limited
Green Investment Group
Manchester Metropolitan University
Muse Developments Limited
National Grid plc
National Grid Electricity Transmission plc
National Grid Gas plc
Network Rail Infrastructure Limited
Northern Ireland Electricity Networks Limited
Opus Energy
Scotia Gas Networks (SGN)
SGN Place Limited
Southern Water Services Limited
SSE Enterprises
SSE plc (Retail)
SSE plc (Seagreen)
Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS)
West Yorkshire Combined Authority
Anglian Water
Cheshire East Council
Cheshire West and Chester Council
Department for Transport
Greater London Authority
HCP
Health & Safety Executive
High Speeds Two (HS2) Limited
Kingston-upon-Hull City Council
Imagile Group Ltd
Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust
Leeds City Council
Luton Borough Council
Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
MUFG Bank Ltd
Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust
The Council of the City of Salford
Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council
Transport for London
United Utilities plc
University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust
Wakefield City Council
West Midlands Combined Authority
Shell Energy Europe Limited
Work highlights
- Advising United Utilities on its £1.75billion DPC Haweswater Aqueduct Resilience Programme.
- Advising Shell on one of the largest gas tolling agreements in the UK conventional power market.
- Advising the East London Waste Authority on its waste disposal PFI contract, and the re-procurement of waste disposal services.
CMS
Based between Manchester and Sheffield, CMS acts in an array of redevelopment and infrastructure projects and is leading on significant nuclear power projects across the country, providing commercially-focused advice on all aspects of the built environment. In the transport space, a recent highlight includes acting for the new high-speed train project HS2’s construction partner for the transformation of Euston Station and the construction of the new Birmingham Curzon Street Station, with practice head Chris Hallam leading on the matter. He jointly heads the team with dispute resolution specialist Nigel Lewis. Of counsel Chris Henshaw draws on deep experience advising public and private sector clients and funders on infrastructure and development projects, including PFI/PPP projects.
Practice head(s):
Chris Hallam; Nigel Lewis
Other key lawyers:
Chris Henshaw
Key clients
Landsec
Muse Developments
Lendlease Construction
Mace Construction
Galliford Try Construction
The UK Health Security Agency
Dragados Construction
Goldman Sachs
The MEH SZC Alliance (a JV comprising Balfour Beatty, NG Bailey, Altrad Babcock, Cavendish Nuclear, Bilfinger and Altrad SA)
Moorfields NHS Trust
University College London
Manchester Airport Group
Arc Group
Ipsen Pharma
Equinor New Energy
Blackrock
CBRE
GRS Roadstone Group
Lodha Group
Imtech
Work highlights
- Advising the MEH Joint Venture (comprising Balfour Beatty, Altrad, Cavendish Nuclear, Altrad Babcock, Bilfinger and NG Bailey) on a multi-billion pound alliance contract for the new Sizewell C nuclear power station.
- Advised Lendlease on a £140m+ multi-party dispute concerning the Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital – the largest dispute to have been heard by the Technology and Construction Court in the last 15 years.
- Advising the Mace Limited/Dragados S.A. joint venture on the transformation of Euston Station and the construction of the new Birmingham Curzon Street Station as part of the UK’s new High Speed 2 railway development.
DWF
With a vast geographical reach and drawing on substantial energy and natural resources expertise, the team at DWF services a diverse client base, most notably, in green hydrogen production, the renewable technologies space, including electric vehicle charging point infrastructure, and advises on high-profile nuclear mandates. Based between Liverpool and Manchester, practice co-head Darren Walsh also leads the firm’s global energy team which allows the group to access cutting-edge energy projects. Manchester's Catherine Haslam co-heads the team, focusing on landlord and tenant issues relating to projects. Liverpool-based solicitor Christine Williams advises clients on complex energy purchase arrangements and leads on the negotiation of complex battery energy storage joint ventures.
Practice head(s):
Darren Walsh; Catherine Haslam
Testimonials
‘A very strong team, knowledgeable and dynamic with industry specific focus as well as commercial awareness of complimentary interrelated disciplines such as financing and real estate.’
‘Darren Walsh is pragmatic with industry wide experience.’
Key clients
BT PLC
Yorkshire Gas and Power
Homes England
Ryze Hydrogen
Element 2 Hydrogen
Enfinity Solar International
Yemene Solar (formerly Yingli Namene Solar Limited & Yingli Green Energy Europe GmbH
Doosan Power Systems SA
Whitbread Group plc
Vensys Energy AG
Canary Wharf Group
Aberdeenshire Council, Aberdeen City Council and Moray Council
Dundee City Council and Angus Council
South Staffordshire plc
Steag energy solutions GmbH
Discovery Park Limited
Farm Energy Partnership LLP
United Utilities Renewable Energy Limited
Quartzelec
WM Morrisons Supermarkets Limited
Marks & Spencer plc
Places for People
Essar Oil UK Limited
MRC Global
Ansaldo Nuclear Limited
Q-Park Limited
Welsh Government
Cavendish Nuclear Limited
HyGen Energy Holdings
Mostyn Sea Power
The Carbon Trust
KP Snacks Limited
Trina Solar Limited
Trina Storage Limited
COSTA Coffee Limited
Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Go Neutral
Firma Energy Limited
Cornwall Council
Northumberland Estates
Fortune Power
Mura Technology Limited
Work highlights
- Advising Enfinity Energy on a significant portfolio of ground-mounted solar PV projects in Italy.
- Assisting HyGen Energy Limited with the development of a 13,000 kg/day green hydrogen production facility that will be co-located with an onshore wind farm in the UK.
- Advising Northumberland Estates in connection with their development of over 1GW of new ground-mounted solar PV and battery energy storage systems on 2000 acres of its estate.
Squire Patton Boggs
The Manchester-based practice at Squire Patton Boggs stands out for its activity in renewable energy, clean air and decarbonisation projects, increasingly advising a diverse client base ranging from major project sponsors, governments, lenders and investors to construction companies. Most notably, the group has secured increasing work for clients in the energy storage and battery space next to its busy infrastructure practice. While practice head Nick Helm is leading the space in net zero projects, Julian Scott has extensive experience of a wide range of projects including energy storage projects, solar projects and off-shore wind farms.
Practice head(s):
Nick Helm; Julian Scott
Key clients
Transport for Greater Manchester
Sheffield City Council
Galliford Try Investments
Amber Infrastructure
Dolphin (Costain Pension Fund)
InfraRed Capital Partners
EDF Group
Vital Energi
Leeds City Council
Rendesco
Ampowr
Atkins/SNC Lavalin
Government of Georgia
Work highlights
- Supporting TfGM as a panel advisor and supporting on the GM Clean Air scheme.
- Advising infra funds including Amber, on operational projects in which they have an investment as well as advising a bidder for the O&M contractor role on the Birmingham Highways PFI project.
Aaron & Partners LLP
Based between Chester and Shrewsbury, the energy projects team at Aaron & Partners LLP, advises clients, predominantly non-plc energy developers, often backed by venture finance, on a range of energy matters at the intersection of planning, environmental, regulatory as well as corporate and property issues. The team is particularly strong in the renewable energy and natural resources sectors and is headed by ‘extremely knowledgeable, passionate and commercial’ David Harries. Consultant Richard Forrester specialises in minerals.
Practice head(s):
David Harries
Other key lawyers:
Richard Forrester; Hannah Fynn
Testimonials
‘The is a very efficient firm that gets to grips with new areas of law swiftly and effectively’
‘David Harris is a stand-out partner who is totally on top of the cases.’
‘Aaron and Partners has always punched well above its weight. Headed by the very passionate David Harries it does exceptional work for its clients. They have been at the cutting edge of renewable energy schemes.’
‘David is extremely knowledgeable, passionate and commercial. He provides a great service to his clients always fighting their corner and trying to find creative solutions to their issues. he is always on hand and nothing is too big or small for him to deal with.’
Key clients
Cornish Lithium plc
Dwr Cymru Welsh Water
Hendy Wind Farm Ltd
Rhoscrowther Wind Farm Ltd
North Wales Tidal Energy & Coastal Protection Ltd
Work highlights
- Advising Cornish Lithium plc on the acquisition of the rights necessary for it to exploit deep underground superheated brines containing dissolved lithium.
- Advising the board of North Wales Tidal Energy & Coastal Protection Ltd on the options for progres in tidal power.