Ellex has had a particularly standout year in the heating sector, with notable work including advice to Partners Group on acquiring Fortum’s district heating business in the Baltics. The team has also been very active in advising on Lithuania’s burgeoning renewables market, particularly in relation to wind energy, biomass and solar. Dovile Greblikiene is well-versed in both Lithuanian and EU energy and heating regulations. She co-heads the practice with Jaunius Gumbis, who also has expertise in EU energy law, as well as competition regulations. The ‘excellent‘ Ramunas Petravicius and senior associate Edvinas Beikauskas are also names to note, both of whom have a strong focus on EU energy law.
Projects and energy in Lithuania
Ellex
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Ramunas Petravicius; Karolis Kacerauska; Karolina Naurone; Edvinas Beikauskas
Testimonials
‘First and foremost, even in the most complex unprecedented cases, there is a feeling of the highest level of expertise. Top-shelf knowledge, dedication and compliance with deadlines (no matter strictest schedules possible) surpasses expectations. Ellex team’s efforts to achieve the best result possible and the result itself have never disappointed. You always feel like a VIP client.’
‘Projects and energy team at Ellex Valiunas is exceptionally professional. We have tried different law firms and none of them were able to provide such in-depth and professional assistance as Ellex Valiunas. They have a huge diversity of experts and their team reflects the needs at the highest level.’
‘Dovile Greblikiene is exceptionally professional and has in-depth knowledge and high level of expertise. Her adviser highly contribute to the successful results of the projects. Her professional attitude is outstanding.’
‘Dovile Greblikiene leads this practice. We have special rates with this firm, so I am happy about the billing.’
‘Ramunas Petravicius is an excellent lawyer with exceptional experience and original ideas.’
‘I have been working with Ellex Valiunas for more than 20 years. I would like to highlight the outstanding performance of the team. We appreciate having a dedicated team of lawyers who strive to understand our needs. Ellex Valiunas team has the TOP professionals, they have the highest level of knowledge and perfect work ethics. They are number one in large projects, business minded, international competence and client understanding.’
‘Dovile Greblikiene has extremely good know-how of the industry, is reliable and offers practical solutions. She is highly skilled advisor with broad experience, considerable awareness for clients, and solution-oriented approach.’
‘Ellex Energy team shall be noticed for outstanding theoretical and practical knowledge of energy field in Lithuania. Ellex’s team is capable of advising on the most complex legal situations with the business approach attitude.’
Key clients
Veolia Environnement S.A
Veolia Group (Vilniaus energija UAB)
Veolia Group (Litesko UAB)
LITGRID, AB
Windfarm Akmene One, UAB
Windfarm Akmene Two, UAB
Pamario jegainiu energija, UAB
Baltpool, UAB
Ørsted A/S
Total Marketing Service, SA
Minijos nafta, UAB
The Natural Power Consultants Limited
Idex Baltic, UAB
EIG Management Company, LLC
Partners Group
Orlen Lietuva, AB
Inter Rao Lietuva and Inter Rao Latvia, AB
Work highlights
- Advising Partners Group on acquiring the Fortum district heating business in the Baltics.
- Advising Veolia Environnement S.A and its Lithuanian subsidiaries in its overall disputes of heating and electricity tariffs regulation in Vilnius and other Lithuanian cities.
- Advised Windfarm Akmene One on a new wind farm project.
Sorainen
Sorainen is prominent in projects spanning a number of areas, such as energy, utilities, infrastructure, telecoms and transport. The team’s work in the energy sector has included advising on major wind and solar energy projects. On the transport side, it has notably been involved in the Rail Baltica project. The practice is led by corporate partner Sergej Butov and Asta Augutytė-Rapkevičienė, whose background is in real estate and construction.
Practice head(s):
Key clients
Ignitis Group
Lietuvos geležinkeliai
RB Rail
Alauša
Vilnius bus station
E-Energija
GetJet Airlines
Fortum
Directorate of National Cultural Reserve of Vilnius Castles
Enefit
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
Roquette Amilina
Allego
Siemens Energy
Homanit Lietuva
Lords LB Asset Management
Grid Solutions SAS
Eika NoMetasta
Work highlights
- Advised Fortum on the sale of its district heating business in the Baltics to Partners Group.
- Advised Rail Baltica on all legal matters regarding the development of the Rail Baltica railway.
- Advising Ignitis Group on setting up a joint venture with renewable energy leader Ocean Winds for the development of offshore wind projects.
TGS Baltic
TGS Baltic predominantly focuses on energy and environmental law and was most recently instructed by the Lithuanian government on the threats posed by a new nuclear power plant in Belarus. The team has also been advising the European Investment Bank and others on heating infrastructure investments and transfers in Lithuania. Managing partner Vilius Bernatonis and Paulius Zapolskis lead the team and both have broad expertise in contentious and non-contentious energy law matters.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Rita Paukštė; Gailė Juozapaitytė; Augustinas Razumas
Testimonials
‘Team is great at providing advice in complex situations, so you can expect that all nuances will be covered and guided by the help of a team. They are comprehensively experienced in energy sector (and fields related to the energy sector). You can expect the best’
‘TGS Baltic has outstanding insight into the technical aspects of energy projects, in particular district heating projects. TGS Baltic’s lawyers are highly committed to their clients. It is a pleasure to collaborate with TGS Baltic.’
‘Vilius Bernatonis is closely involved in his cases and always strives to reach the best outcome for his clients.’
‘TGS Baltic has a large and strong energy team with professionals capable of covering a wide range of energy related questions. The team is trustworthy and is able to advise when there is a need to resolve sophisticated and complex questions.’
‘TGS Baltic energy team is lead by Paulius Zapolskis who is a well established professional. Dr. Zapolskis knows the energy market very well, is always ready to offer the legal solutions which are best suitable for each individual situation and is looking for innovative ways to address sophisticated legal situations.’
Key clients
State enterprise Lithuanian Airports
Klaipėdos Nafta
LTG Infra
The European Investment Bank
Vilnius university
KS Investicija
Vilniaus Šilumos Tinklai and Vilnius City Municipality
TELE2
FTI France, SAS trading as Compass Lexecon, and Litgrid
Eesti Energia
Republic of Lithuania, represented by the Ministry of Energy
Alytus City Municipality and UAB Alytaus šilumos tinklai
Work highlights
- Advised EPSO-G and the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Lithuania on the threats posed by the Astravets nuclear power plant to national security, environment and public health of Lithuania and the EU.
- Assisting the European Investment Bank with the financing of the upgrade of heating network and heat generation assets in Kaunas city and district municipalities.
- Advising Lithuania’s largest provider of heating and hot water Vilniaus Šilumos Tinklai on the transfer of Vilnius city heating infrastructure.
Cobalt
Cobalt is notably skilled in assisting investment funds with their ventures in the infrastructure arena and counts the BaltCap Infrastructure Fund as a key client. The team advises on all areas of infrastructure, most recently assisting with projects pertaining to education, health, transport and recreation. Practice head Simona Oliškevičiūtė-Cicėnienė focuses exclusively on real estate and infrastructure projects.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Artūras Kojala; Vydmantas Grigoravičius; Aušrys Šliavas; Andrius Kazlauskas; Ignas Jurkynas
Key clients
Lietuvos geležinkeliai, AB
Corum Asset Management
BaltCap Infrastructure Fund
Prosperus Asset Management
Orion Asset Management
UAB Vilbra
WESTERN UNION PROCESSING LITHUANIA, UAB
Booking.com
RB RAIL AS
LCN Capital Partners
ATEA Group
KS Boulevard C.V.
Evolis, UAB
Merko statyba, UAB, a member of Merko Ehitus Group
LITGRID, AB
Invest in Lithuania
Šiauliai Free Economic Zone Management Company
Kėdainiai Free Economic Zone Management Company
Amberwind, UAB
Imlitex Holdings, UAB
LIM Verslo Trikampio NT Fondas, UAB
Šiauliai Free Economic Zone Management Company
European Energy A/S
Lords LB Asset Management
Nordecon Betoon OÜ
E Energija Group
Enefit Green UAB
UAB “IREC Baltic”
RB Rail AS
Lietuvos geležinkeliai
Invest in Lithuania
Lords LB Asset Management
Höegh LNG
Vilniaus energija, AB
Vėjų spektras, UAB
Vėjo gūsis, UAB
Vėjo vatas, UAB
Amberwind, UAB (SPV company belonging to Stemma Group, one of the largest groups in Lithuania operating in the field of wind park construction and operation)
European Energy A/S
UAB “Energia futura”
Work highlights
- Advised Lithuanian Railways on a planned brown field project of regional importance to convert over 33 ha territory near the train station of Vilnius to an integrated transport (train and bus), services and office hub.
- Advised BaltCap Infrastructure Fund in connection with its investment in the real estate development to be leased to Queen Morta school (Karalienės Mortos mokykla) and Childhood Garden pre-school (vaikų darželis “Vaikystės sodas“).
- Advised UAB Kėdainiai Free Economic Zone (FEZ) on drafting establishment and operation agreements.
PRIMUS Law Firm
Cross- border matters are a particular strength at PRIMUS Law Firm, which is active in mandates involving the Lithuanian government’s growing emphasis on interconnectivity with the energy and infrastructure of neighbouring countries. The team has been particularly active in projects which also involve Poland, Scandinavia and the other Baltic countries. The practice is led by managing partner Robert Juodka, who is experienced in energy and infrastructure and public procurement, and Tomas Venckus, who specialises in procurement, PPP and real estate.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Greta Bagdanavičiūtė; Jaroslav Pavlovskij; Aneta Blaževič
Key clients
Polimex Mostostal SA
Rafako SA
Eesti Energia
PKP Energetyka
Enefit
Vestas
Menard
Richstone Properties Ltd
Eriadas, UAB, and its subsidiaries
Verslama, UAB
PK Invest UAB
Mikor Inżyniering Sp. z o.o.
Work highlights
- Advice to Rafako SA on a major international project by UAB Vilniaus kogeneracinė jėgainė(Ignitis) for construction of a combined Heat and Electricity Generation Power plant (CHPplant) in Vilnius that would be fuelled by biomass and domestic waste.
- Performed the functions of an outsourced legal department for Enefit.
- Advised Vestas on entering the Lithuanian wind power generation and wind power plant development market.
WALLESS
WALLESS focuses predominantly on public private partnerships and public procurement mandates. It acts for the Ministry of Environment, as well the municipal authorities of Vilnius and Kaunas. Laura Zifermanw co-heads the practice with Evaldas Klimas, who is an expert in property and land issues.
Practice head(s):
Testimonials
‘The team is highly competent, technologies and billing techniques are well organized, reactions are always on time.’
‘Great attitude, careful mindset.’
Key clients
Siemens
Elecnor S.A.
Vilnius City Municipality
Kaunas City Municipality
Atzwanger S.p.A.
UAB Kauno švara
IDEMIA group
Ignalina’s Nuclear Power Plant
Ministry of Environment
Ministry of Health
Leonhard Weiss
Ministry of Energy
Elektrum Lietuva
Work highlights
- Advised Vilnius City Municipality on a PPP project involving the development of a national stadium.
- Advised Elecnor S.A. and Instalaciones Inabensa S.A. on a contract for electrification works of a Vilnius-Klaipėda railway.
- Advised Leonhard Weiss on a contract for the construction of a railway section for the Palemonas-Kaunas section of Rail Baltica.
Eversheds Saladžius (a member of Eversheds Sutherland)
Eversheds Saladžius (a member of Eversheds Sutherland) features prominently in the railway industry and has been assisting RB Rail with matters concerning greenfield rail transport infrastructure and public procurement. Managing partner Jonas Saladžius and Sigitas Groblys, who co-head the team, both advise on the aforementioned areas, with additional expertise in handling energy projects.
Practice head(s):
Key clients
Gren Lietuva
Gren Klaipėda
Gren Švenčionys
RB Rail
Work highlights
- Advising on a greenfield rail transport infrastructure project for Rail Baltica.
- Advised RB Rail on public procurement and its regulation in the Baltic states.
- Advised Kelprojektas on its merger with with its owned enterprise Urbanistika.
LEADELL Balciunas ir Grajauskas
LEADELL Balciunas ir Grajauskas excels in domestic and cross-border projects. On the contentious side, energy-related disputes are a driver of work, particularly in relation to defending energy companies against levies and state aid issues. Gintaras Balčiūnas, who leads the team, is an expert in both litigation and arbitration. Balčiūnas is a former Minister of Justice for the Lithuanian government and is uniquely positioned to handle public law issues.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Vaidas Radvila; Gintaras Stankevičius
Key clients
AB “Achema”
Concern “ACHEMOS GRUPĖ”, Ltd.
AB “Klaipėdos jūrų krovinių kompanija” (KLASCO)
“Renerga”, Ltd.
Work highlights
- Advised Achema on a lev dispute with the regulator authorities.
- Advised KLASCO on the development and construction ofnew terminals in the Port of Klaipėda.
- Advised Achema on a state aid dispute with the local authorities.
GLIMSTEDT Bernotas & Partners
GLIMSTEDT Bernotas & Partners has been very active in advising on the sustainable financing of infrastructure and counts The European Energy Efficiency Fund and local municipalities among its clients. PPP projects are another core area of focus, with practice head Marius Embrektas being particularly skilled in this space.
Practice head(s):
Testimonials
‘A young, coordinated, motivated and result-oriented team. Deep knowledge of the Lithuanian market and ability to provide legal support to other markets. Excellent ability to work under pressure and produce documentation, with special attention to detail and anticipation of problems.’
‘I worked with several people at Glimstedt, in particular with Marius Embrektas. Marius, is a young lawyer, very talented, with initiative and independence, with the ability to manage and solve problems, as well as anticipate problems.’
Key clients
GE CAPITAL GLOBAL ENERGY INVESTMENTSEPSO-GEika
Mota Engil
LITGRID
Environmental Projects Management Agency
Continental Automotive Lithuania
The European Energy Efficiency Fund
Šilutė district Municipality
Kaunas district municipality
Ukmergė district municipality
Klaipėda university hospital
Work highlights
- Advised GE Capital on its investment into a wind farm.
- Advised EPSO-G on the implementation of a batter storage unit.
- Advised Eika and MotaEngil on a PPP project.