The Legal 500 > Europe, Middle East & Africa > Netherlands > Energy: regulatory

De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek leverages its international reach to handle cross-border transactions, disputes and regulatory enforcement matters. The firm was one of the first to play an active role in emissions trading and climate change, and remains at the forefront of market developments. Practice head Nicolien Van Den Biggelaar focuses on energy transition and climate change issues, and acts for domestic and international companies, and state-owned enterprises. Counsel Arjan Kleinhout specialises in energy sector regulation. Bregje Korthals Altes left for YSQUARE B.V..

Loyens & Loeff has a broad sector focus, which includes oil and gas, power and utilities, and renewables. It has worked on cases that have helped shape the tax and regulatory environment, making it well-placed to handle dispute resolution matters. Roland de Vlam is noted for his energy regulatory and mining law expertise, with a focus on offshore wind and solar; he is a seasoned litigator. He co-heads the practice with Jan-Willem van Rooij. Max Oosterhuis is recommended for Dutch and EU energy law matters.

Pels Rijcken & Droogleever Fortuijn NV is well known for its representation of the Dutch government and local municipalities, but also acts for large private companies, including energy producers, suppliers and traders, and energy project developers. Its continued success in the regulatory sphere is driven by its experienced practitioners, who focus on climate change and energy transition. Practice head Iman Brinkman specialises in energy law and policy, and is noted for his litigation experience in civil and administrative matters.

Stek's energy and utilities practice offers a combination of regulatory, transactional and financing expertise. It continues to advise electricity and gas distribution companies on a broad range of regulatory matters and business-critical issues. The team is at the forefront of regulatory developments and often represents clients before the Dutch regulatory authority in the Administrative High Court for Trade and Industry. Practice head Jan Erik Janssen acts for international and national energy household names on administrative and civil litigation matters.

With a strong focus on the energy sector, AKD’s multidisciplinary team has recently been working on improving the sustainability of real estate, heating networks and sustainable heat sources, solar projects and offshore energy solutions. The practice stands out for its broad knowledge in the field of regulatory and public law. The team is led by Marjolein Dieperink, who specialises in advising energy companies, developers of energy projects, investors and governments on the regulatory aspects of energy projects and related litigation.

Houthoff has a full-service energy and utilities practice, which handles transactions, regulatory matters and dispute resolution. Drawing on the expertise of its banking and finance and corporate teams, the firm undertakes mandates from energy companies, suppliers, producers, investors, large energy consumers, banks and government bodies. Practice head Kristen Berger is recommended for her experience of commercial contracts in the regulated energy market, which includes PPAs and gas capacity contracts.

Norton Rose Fulbright's multidisciplinary team is well-regarded for its expertise in the renewables, upstream and energy infrastructure spaces. It draws on the knowledge of practitioners in its infrastructure, tax, environment, safety and planning and litigation groups. Practice head Wouter Hertzberger focuses on project finance, asset finance and restructuring in the energy and infrastructure sector. Matthijs van Leeuwen, who is recommended for domestic and international projects, is active in offshore and onshore wind projects, as well as energy storage developments.

Stibbe’s energy and industry group is well-known for its transactional practice and its regulatory work is often integrated in transactional projects. It covers a broad range of regulatory matters, including those relating to development and finance, M&A, corporate reorganisations, and asset acquisitions and disposals. Gas sector regulation is a key area of focus, alongside energy and CO₂ taxes, and climate change policy. Team head Martin In de Braekt acts for sponsors, developers, contractors and lenders.

Van der Feltz Advocaten's team, which has ‘excellent knowledge of energy law’, is sought out for advice on planning, permitting, tariff regulation, CO₂ emissions and the environmental issues of energy projects. It is at the cutting edge of public affairs and regulatory issues, and often cooperates with large international law firms. Jacques Sluysmans is knowledgeable about the market of cables and pipelines. He co-heads the practice with Michelle de Rijke, who has a strong focus on energy transition matters.

Biesheuvel Jansen advocaten is noted for its energy transactional work and also advises on the regulatory aspects of transactions and projects. It focuses on the renewables space, and in particular onshore and offshore wind parks, biomass and biogas plants and solar parks. Practice head Rutger Jansen counts ENGIE Energie Nederland, Prowind and BayWa r.e as key clients.

CMS' multidisciplinary energy and climate change group has a strong focus on the renewables sector, where it is known for advising on the acquisition, development and financing of renewable energy projects. It has particular expertise in power purchase agreements (PPAs) for wind, solar PV and biomass projects. Practice head Cecilia van der Weijden has over 20 years of experience.

The energy team at Dentons takes a holistic approach to regulatory matters, leveraging the expertise of its corporate, project finance, projects, environment, regulatory, construction and tax groups. With a focus on renewables, the practice is active in wind, solar, and biomass projects. The Amsterdam group utilises Libryo technology to keep track of changing regulations across multiple jurisdictions. Jan Jakob Peelen heads up the team, which includes David Shearer, who made partner in 2020. David Griston left for an in-house role at Bouncebackability.

Eversheds Sutherland (Netherlands) B.V. is active in the wind, solar, heating, cleantech and biomass spaces. It has been particularly active in relation to regulatory advice on grid connection, private grids and grid capacity. The practice is jointly led by Miriam van Ee and Michel Chatelin. Pim van Leersum joined from De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek.

HVG Law LLP is strategically aligned with EY Tax and is part of the global EY Law network. It handles international energy transactions, regulatory issues and litigation/arbitration. Practice head Sander Simonetti focuses on renewables, infrastructure and trading. Dick Weiffenbach left for an in-house role at the Association of Energy Grid Operators (Netbeheer Nederland).