Acting for leading energy companies, developers and semi-state bodies, Beauchamps LLP is well-positioned to support with RESS, DS3 and corporate PPAs, EPC and O&M contracts and project finance work, as well as due diligence and acquisitions of energy projects. With a renewable energy specialism, the group focuses on wind, solar, energy storage and green hydrogen matters, which team head Ainsley Heffernan has a wealth of experience representing clients in, notably with the acquisition and disposal of projects and joint ventures in the sector. Stuart Conaty is proficient in construction, corporate and planning and environmental law. Fiona Egan and Anne Maree Igoe‘s arrival in late 2024 expanded the group’s capabilities on energy projects and energy real estate respectively.
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Profile
Work Department
Energy and natural resources
Position
Ainsley Heffernan is a partner and head of the award winning Energy & Natural Resources Group at Beauchamps. He has over twenty years’ experience advising clients in the energy sector. Ainsley and his team have extensive experience representing clients involved in wind farm projects (both onshore and offshore), solar PV, energy storage, bioenergy and green hydrogen.
Ainsley specialises in energy law, corporate law and complex contract negotiation, with significant expertise in the regulatory framework underpinning energy infrastructure projects, as well as the practical issues that arise. He speaks regularly at energy sector conferences and contributes to a variety of industry publications. He is on the executive council of Wind Energy Ireland and is also an active member of the Irish Solar Energy Association.
Memberships
- Council member of the Irish Wind Energy Association
- Member of the Irish Solar Energy Association
- Member of the Irish Environmental Law Association
- Member of the Law Society of Ireland
- Member of the Dublin Solicitors Bar Association
- Supporter and fund raiser for Heart Children Ireland
Education
- Bachelor of Arts (University College Galway, 1993)
- Bachelor of Law (University College Galway, 1995)
- Solicitor (Law Society of Ireland, 1999)
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Commercially minded, responsive, and consistently focused on finding practical solutions rather than just identifying problems. Top technical knowledge combined with a deep understanding of the renewable energy sector, making their advice legally sound and commercially actionable.'
'Compared with other firms I’ve worked with, Beauchamps stands out as more agile and far more attuned to the commercial realities of developing and financing renewable projects. Their collaborative culture also makes them a genuine partner rather than just external advisers.’
‘Ainsley Heffernan has a rare ability to cut through complexity, stay calm under pressure, and guide projects forward with clear, solutions-oriented advice. He is approachable, pragmatic, and commercially astute.'
'Stuart Conaty stands out for the way he blends his engineering background with his legal expertise, which gives him a unique ability to understand both the technical and commercial realities of renewable energy projects. His advice is consistently solutions-focused, pragmatic, and clear.’ 'The Energy and Natural resources team in Beauchamps are a delight to work with. They have great commercial knowledge of the area and how their function fits within another element for a project. They are very responsive.’‘Working with Stuart Conaty and Ainsley Heffernan has brought excellent advice and guidance to our organisation on the various complex projects that we are dealing with. They are willing to listen and propose solutions to questions and problems.’
‘Ainsley Heffernan brings deep industry expertise and consistently applies a thoughtful, problem-solving approach to the transactions we’ve worked on together.'
'Stuart Conaty combines in-depth market knowledge with a practical, straightforward approach that makes him highly effective and easy to work with.’
Key clients
- Bord na Móna Voltclub Power Capital Kildare Innovation Campus Lightsource BP FuturEnergy Ireland Temporis Capital ART Generation Terra Solar EDF Renewables ABO Energy RWE Renewables Interger Energy Mercury Renewables Greenvolt Next Simply Blue Energy Wind Energy Ireland Western Power TheMaritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA) Harmony Solar Ormonde Organics Source Galileo Regnum Renewables Vestas Lyonara Cold Stores EverPower Greensource
Work highlights
Advising Bord na Mona on Phase 3 of Oweninny Wind Farm.