Renewable Energy

Over the past 15 years, the Belgian energy sector has undergone major changes; the structure of the Belgian energy market has developed from a closed, monopolist and national market with a public character, to an open trade European and international market, with multi-level players, in which renewable energy projects and support thereof is becoming more and more important. The “renewable” stamp can be found everywhere: from solar, wind or biomass projects, green subsidies and certificates, to energy efficiency and conservation in buildings and machines.

In our Energy and Utilities Practice, we have experts advising on renewable energy law since the market changes in the 90’s and 2000’s. We assist renewable energy producers and investors in legal, regulatory and contracting issues in large-scale wind and solar energy projects, high-efficiency cogeneration projects (heat and power and urban district heating) (see also Energy law & Project Finance), and we give advice on incentives and certificate mechanisms related to the setting up of renewable or CHP energy installations, taking into account related issues such as benchmarking covenants, emission trading obligations or an optimal energy taxation.

In this ever shifting legal and regulatory discussion on support of and subsidies for new technologies in the renewable energy field, we have gained our credentials for our hands-on and forward-looking approach, by intensively contributing to political discussions on this matter, as well as by elaborating a prudent approach with our clients on the business plans and projects of tomorrow.