Clifford Chance‘s ’very open-minded and respectful’ energy group has a strong reputation for its capabilities assisting its roster of clients in a broad array of transactional work. Renewables are one of the key focuses of the team, which works on onshore and offshore wind as well as solar projects. The energy and natural resources work is often international in scope. Hein Tonnaer, who also co-leads the firm’s international renewables cohort, is at the helm of the group, alongside ‘excellent’ energy transition and renewables expert Liesbeth Buiter, who is particularly experienced handling project development, construction contracts and commercial project documents, and senior counsel Nanette Rutgers. A key example of the team’s work is its advice to SkyNRG on Europe’s first large-scale sustainable aviation fuel plant in the Netherlands.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Knowledgeable, up-to-date on latest developments, and a human touch to it, which is key’

  • ‘Hein Tonnear and Mike Niekoop have a human touch.'

  • 'Hein Tonnaer and Liesbeth Buiter are accessible and client-focused.'

  • 'The CC team is very strong in all disciplines in a transaction. What I find particularly relevant and unique is the seamless way they blend multi-disciplinary teams and cross geographies that perfectly work together and also enjoy working together. They are very client-focused and remain pragmatic.'

  • 'In complex processes they do not overcomplicate but simplify and partners are comfortable to just think out of the box. Execution of deals is of top level.'

  • 'A very open-minded and respectful team.'

  • 'Very smart, above average sector and deal knowledge, always very positive attitude and responsive. You can basically work on any crazy deal or new structure with them, without any concern. They will get it done.'

  • 'Hein Tonnaer, Liesbeth Buiter, Han Teerink and Mike Niekoop area all excellent.'

Key clients

  • Vattenfall N.V.
  • SkyNRG BV
  • Advario Projects
  • Stedin
  • Blue Elephant Energy AG
  • Koole
  • Encavis
  • EnBW Energie Baden-Württemberg AG
  • Gemini Wind Park
  • DIF Capital Partners
  • FMO
  • Coöperatieve Rabobank U.A. (Rabobank)
  • InfraVia Capital Partners
  • LBBW
  • Optiver
  • UBS Asset Management
  • Actis

Work highlights

  • Advised SkyNRG, on Europe's first large-scale sustainable aviation fuel plant in the Netherlands, DSL-01.
  • Advised CEE Group on the acquisition of the entire issued share capital of the private limited liability company which holds the rights in a 102 MWp solar photovoltaic project from Ecorus.
  • Advised long-standing client Partners Group, a leading global private markets firm, acting on behalf of its clients, on the sale of a 20% stake in the Dutch offshore windfarm Borssele III / IV to Swiss Life.

Lawyers

Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Hein Tonnaer, Liesbeth Buiter, Nanette Rutgers

Other key lawyers

Angela McEwan, Mike Niekoop, Lotte de Bruin, Charlotte Horsten, Philip Walsh, Han Teerink