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Renewables: Offshore Wind Energy

The offshore wind market continues to grow globally with numerous projects under consideration, development or construction across Europe, the United States and Asia Pacific. We are at the forefront of this industry, utilizing our extensive experience in wind projects to address a wide array of matters from corporate maneuvering, project development, permitting, construction and operation to complex tax, environmental issues and dispute resolution.

Our grounding in the legal, business, and policy dimensions of the national, regional, or local power industries allow us to use all of these tools and more to assist our clients in meeting their commercial goals for offshore wind projects across the globe.

Our Renewables team has helped develop, construct, acquire, and sell renewable energy generating projects around the world and we are particularly proud of our extensive experience working with clients on offshore wind power projects across the globe.

As the offshore wind market has grown, our lawyers in practice areas including onshore wind, offshore construction projects, and maritime operations have developed the necessary skillsets to tackle the full range of issues, in both civil and common law jurisdictions, that arise in connection with offshore wind projects.

Project Agreements

Our experience with the full life cycle of wind project development, from securing initial site control through financing, construction, operation, and transfer, provides a strategic foundation ensuring that each decision accounts for the overall commercial objectives for the project. We help our clients negotiate the critical agreements governing interconnection, transmission rights, turbine and tower procurement, OEM supply and power purchase, while considering the interests of lenders and traditional or tax equity investors to optimize the commercial success of a wind project.

Regulatory and Government Relations

We advise clients around the world on the regulatory regimes applicable to the development of offshore renewable energy projects and assist with systemizing regulatory compliance. Drawing on lawyers and policy professionals across our global platform, we also develop and advocate for policy initiatives regularly.

Environmental 

We advise clients on the full range of environmental issues related to offshore wind facilities, including throughout environmental impact assessments and agency decision-making processes, environmental permitting, offshore health, safety, or environmental risks and liabilities, and endangered or otherwise sensitive species concerns.

Construction and Engineering

We negotiate, draft, and advise in connection with engineering, procurement, construction, and installation contracts and similar agreements on behalf of clients, including project owners, contractors, subcontractors, and engineers. We have a long track record of assisting clients with offshore construction projects in the oil and gas sector and as our clients have moved into offshore wind we have moved with them. Our familiarity with construction activities in a maritime environment means we appreciate the issues which arise in connection with the construction of an offshore wind farm, including those related to the use of specialist vessels or other offshore equipment and whether above or below the waterline.

Maritime Law

With four decades of experience, our lawyers leverage a wide array of legal capabilities to help offshore wind energy clients meet their project objectives. We represent companies involved with heavy lift and installation vessels, power generating barges, tugs, offshore supply vessels, cable laying vessels, and dredging boats.

Dispute Resolution

We have an enviable bench strength ready to assist should a dispute arise in connection with a project. Our aim is always to resolve any dispute short of formal proceedings but if necessary, we have the expertise to assist with all forms of ADR and/or pursue or defend litigation or arbitration proceedings, whatever the subject matter, in relevant jurisdictions.

Tax

Our team includes tax law veterans across the globe who are experienced in analyzing a variety of complex tax matters across numerous jurisdictions. We have assisted clients in evaluating renewable energy credit trading programs and transactions.

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