Team size: Eight

Key team members: Sonya Mallon, Maureen Donohoe, Rory Tynan, Ciara O’Loughlin, Arianna Marano, Sarah Munnelly, Sabrina Comerford and Helen Spain.

What are the most significant cases and transactions that your legal team has recently been involved in?

Bord na Móna has recently gone through radical change – announcing the new Brown to Green strategy, moving away from peat and focusing on renewable energy, recycling, and peatland rehabilitation operations. This strategy uses the land continue underpinning Ireland’s energy independence by developing green, sustainable energy sources and assists Ireland’s commitment to achieve 80% renewable electricity by 2030.

To that end, Bord na Mona has an ambitious construction program that includes the completion of Phase 3 of Oweninny Wind Farm, commencement of a solar farm in the midlands, and a renewable project pipeline of 1.5GW. The legal team supported the project development from conception to construction. We contributed to the property and title aspects, project contracts and funding arrangements and provided support on internal governance and consenting processes.

Bord na Móna announced its diversification into offshore wind energy in a major partnership with one of the world’s biggest renewable energy developers, Ocean Winds. The partnership will see Bord na Móna and Ocean Winds co-own, identify and develop offshore energy opportunities around the coast of Ireland. The legal team assisted with negotiating joint venture documents, managing the internal governance, and consenting process for the project.

In line with Bord na Móna’s accelerated decarbonisation strategy and available government funding, the company has also committed to ambitious enhanced peatland decommissioning, rehabilitation and restoration measures, targeting circa 33,000 hectares in over 80 Bord na Móna bogs. The legal team supported the project by drafting and negotiating the grant agreement and providing applicable environmental advice.

Bord na Móna Recycling is helping Ireland move to a circular economy, where goods are made, used, reused and remade. This reduces the landfill and recycles waste into a resource that can be used for something new. The legal team has supported the business by providing planning advice for a sustainable landfill and has been involved in contract management on a day-to-day basis.

Has the increasing consciousness of climate change and sustainability affected your company and the team’s priorities, and if so, how?

Bord na Móna recently announced a Brown to Green strategy to focus on utilising renewable energy and help Ireland achieve net zero targets. In addition, the team has been focused on legislation flowing from the EU Green Deal, particularly CSRD preparation and compliance.