Energy, project finance and PFI in West Midlands

Gowling WLG

The projects and infrastructure team at Gowling WLG has a very strong reputation for advising UK government related entities and non-departmental bodies on some of their most complex PPP work, as well as other big-ticket infrastructure schemes. Their client list includes groups like National Highways and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority group. The team also advises on international matters covering Africa and the Middle East. Stephen Kenny is the national head of the practice, specialising in complex UK government projects involving significant infrastructure or assets. Andrew Newberry typically leads the project finance work stream, while newly-promoted partner Elizabeth Williams  specialises in defence and security work. Dominic Richardson  and principal associate James Stanier  are also highly recommended.

Practice head(s):

Stephen Kenny; Andrew Newbery

Other key lawyers:

Gus Wood; Dominic Richardson; James Stanier

Testimonials

‘The team are very knowledgeable, friendly and very professional. They have a very collaborative nature, supporting me and my project beyond the terms of the contract.’

‘Liz Williams has delivered beyond the brief, facilitating calls outside of normal hours. She has a very natural and friendly approach that is conducive to establishing a good working relationship. She takes the time to really understand the problem and individuals. I have enjoyed working with her.’

‘Easy to work with, friendly and down to earth. Approachable and humble, taking the time to explain and support their clients.’

‘Stephen Kenny – extremely nice, kind and supportive. Fun and approachable.’

Key clients

Ministry of Defence

National Highways

Kansai Electric Power Corporation

GuarantCo

AIB Group PLC

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Zzoomm plc

Greenage Power Limited

Brockwell Energy

Eelpower

Nuclear Decommissioning Authority group (including Magnox, Nuclear Waste Services, Nuclear Transport Solutions…)

UK Health Security Agency

Department of Health and Social Care

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

Work highlights

  • Advising National Highways on one of its flagship projects, the procurement of the A303 Amesbury to Berwick Down (Stonehenge) road/tunnel project.
  • Advised leading UK energy storage company and valued client Eelpower on a £100 million joint venture partnership with specialist solar power renewable energy listed fund NextEnergy Solar Fund.
  • Advising the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) on its Defence Marine Services project, which is tasked to deliver the new commercial arrangements for the delivery of the MODs future Marine Services requirements when the current Provision of Marine Services and Range Safety & Aircrew Training contracts expire.

Pinsent Masons LLP

The projects team at Pinsent Masons LLP leverages the firm’s strong international presence to take on some of the most high profile energy and infrastructure projects in the UK from their Birmingham office, working with prestogious clients such as E.ON. The team has a deep understanding of the energy and infrastructure sectors, with a specialism in helping energy services companies respond to the Net Zero agenda. Practice head Didar Dhillon  specialises in PPP projects across the energy, waste and infrastructure sectors. He also leads the firm’s Cleantech sector’s focus on Community Energy and Smart Cities. At the senior associate level, important names are Gemma Glasspole and Arminder Dhillon.

Practice head(s):

Didar Dhillon

Other key lawyers:

Nigel Blundell; Gemma Glasspole; Chris Haines; Arminder Dhillon

Testimonials

‘I have always found them very efficient, friendly, easy to approach and very knowledgeable as well as relatable and unpretentious. They can usually find the answer to any questions very quickly.’

‘The individuals I work with are extremely knowledgeable on the subject of district heating and have a good insight into the industry. They are very concise in explaining new areas of approach and come across very confidently.’

‘Chris Haines and Didar Dhillon are really approachable, friendly and easy to deal with. They are both very helpful and will go the extra mile to assist with the issues we have faced with our particular project.’

Key clients

Viridor Limited

Ørsted

E.ON UK PLC

FCC Enviroment

Hitachi Zosen Inova A E

Amber Infrastructure

Cory Riverside Limited

Enfinium Limited

Westminster City Council

Morgan Sindall

Volker Rail

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council

Cardiff Capital Region

Work highlights

  • Advising CCR on the purchase of a 489-acre decommissioned coal-fired power station at Aberthaw from RWE for redevelopment as an exemplar £1bn+ green energy production park in the region as a means of driving and sustaining clean economic growth and spreading prosperity benefits across the region.
  • Advising in relation to the onshore property elements of their proposed Hornsea Project Four offshore windfarm (following the successful development of Hornsea Project 3).
  • Advising the Council on the Seaham Garden Village Low-Carbon Minewater Heat Network which aims to deliver a low-carbon district heating network to serve the Seaham Garden Village Development in Durham. The initial phase of the development comprises circa 1,500 new homes, a school and a commercial centre being constructed by a trio of national developers / housebuilders. Phase 2 of the development aims to provide a further 1,500 new homes and associated community and commercial units. This innovative project will take heat from water from the abandoned Dawdown mine (extracted via the adjacent Dawdon Minewater treatment plant) and supply low-carbon thermal energy to the residents and other occupiers of the development site. This will be the first such project to draw heat from abandoned mines and, having secured significant support from the Coal Authority and BEIS, is intended to open up a number of similar projects across the UK.

Browne Jacobson LLP

Browne Jacobson LLP is well known in the Midlands for its capabilities with regards to power generation, renewables, energy-from-waste and energy disputes. The team is led by Paul Hill , who is a specialist in infrastructure transactions, private equity and general corporate lending. He is supported by venture capital specialist Mike Jackson and senior associate Nick Smee .

Practice head(s):

Paul Hill

Other key lawyers:

Mike Jackson; Nick Smee

Key clients

First Sentier Investors

Enfinium

Covanta

British Gas

Oxford City Council

South London Waste Partnership

Onto

Aceleron

PBE Group

H2Go Power

nmcn plc

Homes England

Argent Energy

The Aurora Group

Care Fertility

Work highlights

  • Advised First Sentier Investors on two significant acquisitions in the energy-from-waste sector: the acquisition of SSE’s 50% stake in the Multi-fuel Energy Joint Venture for £995m; and the agreement to acquire Enfinium (then Wheelabrator U.K) from waste management company Wheelabrator Technologies Inc., an entity owned by Macquarie.
  • Advising Oxford City Council on its Electric Vehicle charging Superhub project.
  • Advised the PBE Group both on its successful acquisition of Advanced Diesel Engineering (ADE) – a leading UK manufacturer and supplier of generators and critical power solutions for an undisclosed sum – and a cross border holdco corporate financing and refinancing.

Freeths LLP

With one team for projects and another team for energy, waste and sustainability, Freeths LLP provides a full-service offering to clients in the energy and infrastructure sectors. The team also boasts a particular expertise in transactions underpinning major developents and advising on the refinancing of PPP projects. James Larmour leads the projects team and has significant experience of infrastructure and project finance transactions. He is also a prominent adviser on PFI secondary market transactions. The energy, waste and sustainability team is led by Kirstin Robert, who displays a comprehensive knowledge of energy from waste projects, with an accreditation as a chartered waste manager.

Practice head(s):

James Larmour; Kirstin Roberts

Other key lawyers:

Perveen Akhter; Alex Johnson; Steve Evans

Testimonials

Freeths have been an exceptional team lead by James Larmour. He is always at the forefront of market developments, PFI handback being a particular example.’

‘James Larmour always provides excellent balanced and commercial advice. Well known and regarded in the infrastructure market. A go to lawyer.’

‘Clever lawyers who use their legal intellect to guide you towards sound practical conclusions. Good value for money.’

‘James Larmour is our main contact. While we haven’t yet worked on a full transaction together, from the work he has done for us we have been pleased with the level of service provided. He can be depended on to provide clear commercially-minded advice.’

‘James Larmour is a fantastic project finance and PFI practitioner, with a skill set that is easily as strong as the best magic circle firm partners I have dealt with in the sector over the years.’

Key clients

Amber Infrastructure

International Public Partnerships

Dalmore Capital

Equitix

CIVIS

InfraRed Capital Partners

EQUANS (formerly ENGIE)

Calisen

Cambridge Power

Catalyst Capital

Cornwall Council

FCC Environment

SmartParc Limited

Whites Generation Limited

Nova Pangea Limited

Staffordshire County Council

Derbyshire Dales District Council

Rochford District Council

Bio Dynamic Limited

CL:AIRE

Enovert Limited

Johnson Aggregates Limited

Stone Technologies Limited

Hive Energy

Landmark Power Holdings Limited

Work highlights

  • Advised funds managed by Amber Infrastructure on the £100m acquisition of an additional stake in Angel Trains (largest rolling stock company in the UK).
  • Advised International Public Partnerships on a £30m+ acquisition of a portfolio of PFI investments from the Costain Pension Fund.
  • Advising Hull Esteem Consortium LEP Limited on a significant variation to phase 2 of the Hull BSF project.

Shakespeare Martineau LLP

With a strong national and international presence, the energy and utilities team at Shakespeare Martineau LLP spent much of 2021 advising on the collapse of a number of prominent energy suppliers, including Green Supplier, Pure Planet and Daligas. Areas of focus for the team include renewable projects, customer contracts, industry metering agreements and wholesale energy trading, as well as handling regulatory investigations. Team leader Andrew Whitehead  is a specialist energy regulatory and contracts lawyer who works with many of the firm’s top clients. He is supported by Peter Dilks , who covers real estate with a focus on energy developments, as well as Ian Griffiths, who specialises in energy infrastructure and construction.

Practice head(s):

Andrew Whitehead

Other key lawyers:

Peter Dilks; Ian Griffiths

Testimonials

‘Shakespeare Martineau has a team whoich understands the energy sector. It has key individuals who are leaders in this field especially to do with electricity. It is a number one choice outside of the more well known London firms.’

‘The specific individuals take the time to understand our business and are experienced, polite and professional when dealing with our matters.’

‘Large multi disciplined firm capable of dealing with large or small scale work types practically and efficiently’

‘Approachable, knowledgeable and efficient and professional in their advice’

Key clients

National Grid

Grain LNG

Cadent Gas

Npower (part of E.ON)

Last Mile Infrastructure Group (formerly Energetics)

Statera Energy

Octopus Energy

Innogy e-Mobility

Severn Trent Green Power

Shell Energy Retail

Highway Stops Retail

British Independent Utilities

Business Power & Gas

BritNed Development

Marble Power

FPC Electric Land

Electricity North West

Forsa Energy Gas Holdings

Tetronics Technologies

Certas Energy

Coventry and Solihull Waste

South Staffordshire Water

Anglian Water

SUNEL UK

Whitetower Energy

rePLANET

Ripple Energy

Birmingham University

FW Thorpe Plc

Macquarie Bank

Utilita Group

Bryt Energy

Work highlights

  • Advising Last Mile Infrastructure Group on the negotiation and documentation of land rights for electricity and gas infrastructure, notably gas pipes and electricity cables and substations.
  • Advised National Grid Electricity System Operator on the development and launch of modifications to the “dynamic containment” balancing service, and on two new services, “dynamic moderation” and “dynamic restoration”.

Bevan Brittan LLP

Bevan Brittan LLP is very strong at handling contract and asset management, as well as operational issues on energy, PFI and PPP projects. Kirtpal Kaur Aujla has a wealth of experience advising public sector partners on PPP projects, while senior associate Rosie Tabrizi  has been advising Birmingham City Council on a complex waste disposal package.

Practice head(s):

Nadeem Arshad

Other key lawyers:

Kirtpal Kaur Aujla; Rosie Tabrizi

Testimonials

‘The team are knowledgeable. They clearly know the sector and key players well. They are also pragmatic and approachable.’

‘Nadeem Arshad was the lead partner. We know Nadeem well and have worked with him before. He knows the sector well and provided good oversight.’

‘Market leading team that understands the commercial realities of project finance / PFI in a manner that few others do.’

Key clients

Viridor

Equans

Birmingham City Council

East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust

Bank of Ireland

JFS School

Sheffield City Council

West Berkshire Council

Work highlights

  • We are advising the Council on their #500 million new Waste PPP Project and delivery of their future waste management strategy.
  • Advised Bank of Ireland as the lender to significantly restructure a project financed Social Care PFI project.
  • Advised the Welsh Government and 24 participating local authorities on a new PPP delivery model – the #1.5bn Welsh Education: 21st Century Schools MIM Programme.

Harrison Clark Rickerbys inc Shawcross

The team at Harrison Clark Rickerbys is known for its expertise in all areas of renewable energy and technology. Specifically, the practice advises businesses and individuals on legal issues surrounding renewable energy, including land assembly aspects and regulatory requirements. The team is led by Harriet Murray Jones, who has deep experience in the renewables sector. She is supported by construction litigation specialist Hefin Archer-Williams, as well as Natalie Minott and Gareth Williams.

Practice head(s):

Harriet Murray Jones

Other key lawyers:

Andrew James; Hefin Acher Williams; Natalie Minott

Key clients

Boom Power Limited

Biogen

Ethical Power Limited

New Forest Energy Limited

Innova Capital Limited

Noriker Power Limited

Safran Landing Systems UK

New Stream Renewables

Novaluxx Energy

Eco2Solar Limited

Caplor Energy Limited

Sunetik Limited

Horus Capital

Work highlights