Latvia

Baltic law firm FORT offers clients assistance in various stages of environmental, energy and infrastructure projects. Its Latvian team stands out for its work within the renewable energy sector.

Riga-based Sandis Bertaitis and senior associate Arturs Caics are representing Satini Energo LM, a company developing and managing a biomass CHP plant with a total capacity of 3.4 MW, in proceedings against The Cabinet of Ministers of Latvia and others regarding amendments to the regulation of the feed-in-tariff for CHP plants. If successful, the matter could provide positive contribution to the renewable energy sector in Latvia by preventing state institutions from implementing restrictions on support mechanisms for renewable energy projects.

The duo is also assisting SIA Rigas Energija with several legal matters. The client, a company focusing on renewable energy production, is developing and operating a CHP plant which uses woodchips to generate electricity and heat.

In Riga, the firm has also been actively cooperating with the green energy umbrella organisation Latvian Renewable Energy Federation (LREF), which unites non-governmental renewable energy associations, supporting LREF with its establishment as an NGO, as well as with several legislation and policy making proceedings concerning renewable energy production regulations.

Outside of their client work, Bertaitis and Caics regularly contribute to thought leadership in the renewable energy space with their publications and commentaries regarding case-law.

Besides implementing various internal environmental best practices, the firm also demonstrated its commitment to sustainability by organising a World Cleanup Day.

Lithuania

Baltic law firm FORT regularly advises clients on environmental, energy and infrastructure projects. Its Lithuanian team stands out for its work assisting organisations with becoming more sustainable and complying with environmental regulations.

In an ongoing highlight, Emilis Cicenas is advising Circle K, a leading convenience store and gas station operator, on reducing its environmental footprint by employing solar power capacities and complying with national biofuels regulations.

Cicenas also recently acted for Elmoris, a leading manufacturer of lug caps, in a range of legal matters. Elmoris produces lug caps in an eco-friendly manner as a result of thermoplastic materials (TPE); the sealing compound used in manufacturing the product and its utilisation does not emit any harmful substances into the atmosphere. The firm helped the client enter a PPA for 12 years and advised on the installation of solar panels on its manufacturing plant.

Internally, the firm has implemented various environmental best practices and has also recently organised and involved its staff in a World Cleanup Day.