29 February 2012
An update briefing on the Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme (RHI) which was announced by the Department for Energy and Climate Change in March 2011 and opened for applications from non-domestic generators in November 2011.
17 February 2012
Where next for renewable energy projects? Recent changes have caused uncertainty in the renewables market and questions have been raised as to whether viable renewable energy projects can be developed in the current financial climate.
28 December 2011
The Energy Act 2011 received royal assent on 18 October and passed into law less than a year after it was introduced to the House of Lords in December 2010. The Act deals with the following key themes: energy efficiency, security of energy supplies and measures for reducing carbon emissions. The largest part of the Act introduces the coalition’s flagship ‘Green Deal’ policy to encourage and facilitate the retrofitting of existing properties. Burges Salmon has played and continues to play a significant role in the development of this policy, which is the focus of this article.
25 November 2011
This briefing highlights some of the underlying principles and interesting statements tucked away in the Consultation which those in the renewable industry may wish to factor into their thinking.
16 November 2011
The Government's introduction of the Feed-In Tariff (FIT) for small-scale renewables in April 2010 has led to frenzied activity in the relatively new sector of solar photovoltaic (PV) energy. Since April 2010, many start-up companies have emerged, and there has been a rush to install solar panels to take advantage of tariffs available. However, it has not all been smooth sailing for the solar sector.
13 October 2011
Over the last 20 years we have seen a dramatic increase in the number of wind farms in the UK. Some of them are now approaching the end of their life and many owners and developers are considering the possibility of 'repowering' these sites. But how easy is it to do this?
13 October 2011
The Government's Electricity Market Reform proposes some radical reforms to the electricity sector, including the way in which renewable energy projects are incentivised and how electricity generated by them is traded.
29 July 2011
On 27 July 2011, the Department of Energy and Climate Change (“DECC”) published a consultation on changing the rules on how extensions to installations are treated under the GB Feed-in Tariffs scheme. This Briefing Note highlights the action DECC is proposing to take and summarises the consequences, if such action is taken.
01 July 2011
Energy companies and developers are used to protracted arguments and disputes. Persistent opponents to a renewables project can seek to limit or disrupt the operational phase using the law of nuisance.
08 June 2011
With March 2011 seeing the announcement by The Crown Estate on the timetable for offshore wind and tidal energy in Northern Irish waters, it is perhaps a good time to explore the state of play of the marine
renewables sector, and the policies and legal framework which may either promote these projects or, if not properly thought through, inhibit the growth of the sector in the UK.
03 June 2011
The recent fine levied on EPR Ely Limited following a fatal accident in 2008 highlights some key issues for anyone involved in biomass operations.
05 April 2011
The latest edition of our Environment and Energy Law Newsletter.
30 March 2011
The Electricity Market Reform Consultation (“EMR Consultation”) proposes numerous measures. Should the renewable energy sector be encouraged by these proposals or will they have an unwanted impact on renewable energy promotion and generation in the UK?
21 March 2011
This brochure provides a more detailed overview of Anaerobic Digestion Projects and the experienced team at Burges Salmon who are able to provide specialist advice on such matters.
21 March 2011
This brochure provides a more detailed overview of Renewable Energy Projects and the experienced team at Burges Salmon who are able to provide legal advice to those working in the renewable energy sector in assessing the risks and understanding the issues which need to be addressed to bring renewable energy projects to fruition.
21 March 2011
This brochure provides a more detailed overview of Marine Energy Projects and the experienced team at Burges Salmon who are able to provide legal advice in this area.
15 February 2011
At the start of 2011, with environmental and energy issues high on the political agenda, this article highlights some of the key developments that can be expected by businesses and in-house lawyers in these fields this year.
10 February 2011
A strong EU farm policy is essential in the quest to deliver affordable food, the European Parliament has argued. With worldwide demand growing and 16% of EU citizens below the poverty line, access to food is an increasingly important issue.
17 December 2010
On 16 December 2010 the UK Government published radical proposals for electricity market reform, which were billed as the most comprehensive reform of electricity markets since electricity privatisation in 1989. These proposals will be out for public consultation until Spring 2011 when it is anticipated that they will be taken forward in an Energy White Paper.
01 December 2010
The latest edition of our Environment and Energy Law Newsletter.
17 November 2010
This article provides an insight into three emerging renewable energy technologies, how they are being promoted, and what issues operators face when looking to build and operate renewable energy plants using them.
15 September 2010
This article examines the potential advantages for businesses in developing on-site renewable energy generation and highlights ten key issues that in-house lawyers will need to be aware of when assisting any such development project.
11 June 2010
The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) recently published a consultation regarding the grandfathering policy of support for dedicated biomass, anaerobic digestion and energy from waste under the Renewables Obligation.
11 June 2010
The Renewable Energy Directive published in June 2009 contained sustainability criteria for the use of biofuels for transport and bioliquids for heat and electricity generation and for cooling, but it did not address the use of solid and gaseous biomass sources. This issue has been considered separately by the European Commission which reported its findings in the Biomass Sustainability Report published in February 2010.
10 November 2009
This article gives an overview of the Nuclear National Policy Statement (NPS) and associated documents were published on 9 November 2009. The nominated sites included in the NPS are Bradwell, Braystones, Hartlepool, Heysham, Hinkley Point, Kirksanton, Oldbury, Sellafield, Sizewell and Wylfa.
22 July 2009
The UK is undertaking a new breed of energy project in what can be a hostile environment. The situation in respect of applicable health and safety laws is not and currently there is a regulatory "gap" for offshore renewables projects situated outside territorial waters.
01 July 2009
Julian Boswall explains the role the planning system plays in implementing renewable energy projects which will be essential in the UK’s drive to meet its electricity needs. This article first appeared in Solicitors Journal.
01 May 2009
The first prosecution under the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007 has been announced by the CPS.
10 February 2009
We explain how bringing a renewable energy project to fruition requires specialists in property, planning, construction, corporate and banking work, as well as those with an excellent knowledge of grid connection, fuel supply and electricity off-take issues.
19 January 2009
This briefing provides an update of the likely use of the new powers of imprisonment and the effective date.
29 October 2008
New corporate manslaughter legislation is now in force in the UK. Ann Metherall of the ICE health and safety expert panel says it could have a major consequences for civil engineering organisations and professionals.
20 October 2008
Latest developments in renewable energy
15 September 2008
This briefing summarises the powers available to the police in conducting manslaughter investigations and how individual managers and directors may be called to account. It does not cover the powers of HSE Inspectors.