Recent Developments In Renewable Energy Claims

Starting in 2013, several investment treaty claims have been filed in the field of renewable energy, more specifically in the field of solar energy, against Spain, Italy, the Czech Republic and other European countries based upon an alleged breach of the Energy Charter Treaty.

There are currently more than 25 treaty claims pending against Spain alone, five against Italy, seven against the Czech Republic and one against Bulgaria. The first one of these cases, Charanne vs Spain, was decided at the beginning of 2016. In the last 10 to 15 years, many states have provided incentives through favorable feedin tariffs and other subsidies to promote investment in the field of renewable energy. Spain was one of these.