Renewable Energy
Power generation from clean and renewable sources is high on the public and political agenda. BTO's Renewable Energy Team can help you to take advantage of the opportunities that this will create for operators, landowners, communities and finance providers.
The 'well-versed' team at BTO solicitors provides 'an exemplary level of service' (Legal 500) and are experienced in dealing with projects in the wind, hydro-electric and biomass sectors. The team can handle sizeable ventures, but also has particular expertise in smaller or community based projects, particularly in relation to land options, leases and project finance.
As a full service law firm, BTO can draw on a wide range of expertise. This includes advice on the legal issues that might arise in the planning process, in relation to property, employment and banking & finance.
We also have longstanding expertise in setting up community based businesses and social enterprises.
Contact: Nicolas McBride, Partner nmb@bto.co.uk / Scott Wyper, Partner swy@bto.co.uk / T. 0141 221 8012
Experience
- Advising on the financing on-shore wind farms
We are retained by a very active lender in several current projects involving the financing of the construction and operation of on-shore wind farms and hydro schemes in Scotland including a number of community projects.
- Acting for farming, commercial and community developers of wind farms, hydro schemes, solar installations and biomass plants
We act for several farming, commercial and community developers of wind farms, hydro schemes, solar installations and biomass plants. This involves all legal aspects of their projects including starting up, reviewing grid arrangements, advising on planning law aspects, negotiating key contracts and appointments and advising on all aspects of funding, be that grants, community loans, project finance bank debt or private equity and the interplay of these.
- Advising lenders and community groups
Advise on the compatibility of grants and the feed-in tariffs (FIT), and on some of the more difficult issues arising from the FIT scheme.
- Negotiating complex land options and leases
We have considerable experience in acting for landowners, operators and funders in the negotiation of complex land options and leases.
- Oversail agreements
In both urban and rural projects, we have advised on oversail agreements, from the perspective of each of the parties that are typically interested in such agreements, including developers, operators and funders.
- Terms of engagement
Advising companies on the terms of the engagement of energy merchants to supply them with renewable energy.
- Post-commissioning health & safety issues
bto advises clients on post-commissioning health & safety issues.
- Litigation
Acting in a substantial litigation involving an off-shore wind farm.
- Planning
Planning Appeals to the Court of Session and other planning disputes.