The ‘well resourced’ A&L Goodbody Northern Ireland LLP projects and energy team provides a wide offering of energy services, including electricity regulation, offshore and onshore wind, and solar farms. The team is headed by the ‘commercial, pragmatic, and responsive’ Mark Stockdale, who currently advises large wind and biomethane energy producers on large infrastructure projects. Micaela Diver specialises in public law and acts on high value and complex energy and environmental disputes. John Tougher is an expert in property law, and often acts for wind farms in securing land rights. In January 2024, John Palmer, a well-known figure in the hydrogen industry, joined the firm from Shoosmiths LLP.
Energy and projects in Northern Ireland
A&L Goodbody Northern Ireland LLP
Responsables de la pratique:
Mark Stockdale
Autres avocats clés:
Micaela Diver; John Tougher; John Palmer; Ruth Forbes
Les références
‘Well resourced team, easy to contact and quick to respond across all levels.’
‘Mark Stockdale is held in high regard across the sector due to experience in practice and also association with a number of industry bodies. Complete confidence in Mark’s guidance.’
‘Really strong team, led by Mark Stockdale, who is both a capable lawyer and sector expert. A&L are responsive and deliver a great service. Good support from their banking practice, always adds value to the overall offering. ’
Principaux clients
Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council
Scottish Power Renewables Ltd
Renewable Heat Association Northern Ireland
Granville Ecopark
Belfast Harbour Commissioners
Energia Hydrogen Limited
Gas Networks Ireland
Murley Wind Farm
A Specialist Battery Fund
Foresight Group
Principaux dossiers
- Advised the Council in relation to a wind turbine located on a site of historical importance at Knock Iveagh.
- Advising Granville Ecopark on the construction of a grid injection unit, enabling it to inject biomethane directly into the SGN public gas grid to replace fossil gas.
- Advised Scottish Power Renewables Limited in complex local planning law issues, including retail impact assessment, sequential site assessment and interpretation of planning policy.
Carson McDowell
The energy and renewables team at Carson McDowell are experienced in handling large acquisitions, planning applications, and development for energy clients in Northern Ireland. Practice head Neasa Quigley, ‘well-known and respected’ in the energy sector, often advises clients on relevant M&A and equity funding matters. Gary McGhee is adept at energy commercial contracts and licence compliance. Le-ann Campbell, ‘an exceptional associate and consistently delivers to tight deadlines’ provides M&A related advice for energy clients.
Responsables de la pratique:
Neasa Quigley
Autres avocats clés:
Gary McGhee; Le-Ann Campbell
Les références
‘The Carson McDowell team are professional, welcoming, friendly, and happy to assist with any issues or questions raised. They sit in the local renewable groups and give a lot of time to making sure they are up to date with what is going on in the sector generally to provide the best service they can to clients.’
‘Neasa Quigley is a well-known and respected in the renewable energy sector, she has represented us for years and will continue to in the future. Le-Ann Campbell is a becoming a well-established name within the sector generally, she is very knowledgeable and always goes the extra mile.’
‘Carsons knowledge of the Energy Sector in Northern Ireland is exceptional. The continuity and accessibility of staff sets them above any other firms I have worked with.’
Principaux clients
Firmus Energy
PPL Group Holdings Limited
Newry Power Limited
River Ridge Holdings Limited
Vinci Energies UK Holding Limited
EGH (NI) Limited
Renewable Energy Systems Limited
Renewable Energy Systems Limited
Islandmagee Energy Limited (part of Harland &Wolff Group Holdings Plc)
Murley Renewable Energy Limited
Principaux dossiers
- Acted for the management/shareholders in the acquisition by a joint venture of Cube Infrastructure Managers and Equitix Investment Management of a majority stake in RiverRidge.
- Instructed by Renewable Energy Systems Limited in relation to its regionally significant planning application for a fourteen turbine wind farm close to the villages of Carnlough and Glenarm, known as Unshinagh Wind Farm.
- Acting on behalf of Islandmagee Energy Limited in relation to the construction and development of the largest gas storage project in the UK located in Islandmagee, County Antrim.
Pinsent Masons Belfast LLP
Pinsent Masons Belfast LLP is backed by the firm’s wider international network of UK and Ireland offices. Richard Murphy leads the finance and projects team. Described by a client as ‘the pioneer of energy law services in Belfast’, Murphy often advises clients in bidding, acquiring, and financing or refinancing large energy infrastructures. At the associate level, Matthew McMurray provides support in drafting and negotiating commercial contracts and advising on transactions for energy projects.
Responsables de la pratique:
Richard Murphy
Autres avocats clés:
Matthew McMurray
Les références
‘Knowledge and experience in the gas and renewables sector’
‘Ability to provide advice efficiently and concisely. ’
‘Pinsent Masons’ strength is its people and in Richard Murphy they have a leading energy lawyer. ’
Principaux clients
Almac
Energia
Western Power
firmus energy
EPH Group
TRIG
Mutual Energy
Bluefield
Schroders Greencoat
Strategic Power Group
Principaux dossiers
- Advising Almac on a Corporate PPA to buy power from a wind farm in Northern Ireland.
- Advising Energia on participation in a regulated tender to win a system services contract for grid services to stabilise the power grid.
- Advising Firmus on its recent refinancing – largest refinancing of NI gas companies in 2023/2024 to date.
Arthur Cox Belfast
The energy group at Arthur Cox Belfast is renowned for its extensive energy practice, which operates with a strong focus on regulatory affairs. William Curry, with a broad expertise in procurement, co-leads the team alongside corporate partner David White, who advises energy clients on M&A, commercial contracts, and relevant legislative and licensing requirements. At the associate level, Erin Carruthers provides support in corporate transactions and regulatory queries.
Responsables de la pratique:
David White; William Curry
Autres avocats clés:
Chris Ritchie; Erin Carruthers
Les références
‘The team has great knowledge and experience and is flexible and effective in understanding and dealing with their clients’ needs.’
‘David White has provided fantastic, consistent, and well-judged service.’
‘Arthur Cox is professional, easy to deal with, and provides quick and reliable service with access to a wide range of specialist professionals. The Arthur Cox name is highly respected and rated, and this helps ensure our corporate business is conducted to the highest level of professionalism.’
Principaux clients
ERG SpA
Mutual Energy Group (including Moyle Interconnector Limited, Belfast Gas Transmission Limited)
Area Capital Partners Limited
Heron Bros. Energy Limited
Everun Limited
Phoenix Energy Group Limited
Energia Group
SSE plc
SONI Limited
Energystore Limited
arc21 (corporate vehicle for 6 local councils across Northern Ireland)
Ulster University
Department for Communities
Department of Finance (Land & Property Services)
Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council
Apex Housing Association
NB Housing
Principaux dossiers
- Advising Belfast Gas Transmission Limited on the provision of a new gas connection at Kilroot Power Station to facilitate the conversion from a coal to gas-fired power station.
- Advising Heron Bros. Energy Limited on the ongoing development of a 25MW solar farm in Northern Ireland.
- Advising six councils (through the arc21 corporate vehicle) on the procurement of the largest PFI/PPP Project and the first procurement of an Energy from Waste Facility ever to be undertaken in Northern Ireland.
Cleaver Fulton Rankin
The Cleaver Fulton Rankin energy and renewables team are well-equipped to provide corporate, real estate, tax, and infrastructure advice across various energy sectors. Headed by Stephen Cross, the team offers counsel to energy firms, investors, and financial entities. The ‘standout performer’ Karen Blair plays a leading role for Dalradian Gold Limited in respect to title issues relating to the acquisitions of land for the mining project, while Brendan Martyn lends expertise on drafting requirements for energy infrastructure.
Responsables de la pratique:
Stephen Cross
Autres avocats clés:
Joe Marley; Karen Blair; Brendan Martyn
Les références
‘Exceptional commitment to the client and project.’
‘Karen Blair remains the standout performer, and is continuing to build a strong team, with Brendan Martyn as a particularly strong performer.
‘The ability to manage large infrastructure projects is superb. ’
Principaux clients
Dalradian Gold Limited
EirGrid / SONI
Assured Energy LLP
The Lycra Company
Close Brothers Asset Finance
Gravis Capital Partners
Northern Ireland Electricity Networks (NIEN)
Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation (NIAUR)
HSBC UK Bank PLC
Harland & Wolff plc / Islandmagee Energy Limited
Welcome Break Limited
Principaux dossiers
- Advising Northern Ireland Electricity, the licensed distribution network operator for Northern Ireland, on its way leave network for Northern Ireland’s electricity distribution network to include the granting of all new way leave agreements together with their way leave portfolio management.
- Advising Assured Energy LLP on (1) an enforcement notice issued by a local authority in respect of an anaerobic digester operation, and (2) the management of their portfolio of AD plants, which included the sale of an of 250kW plant.
- Acting for the Lycra Company, an international textiles manufacturer with a major textiles manufacturing plant located at Maydown, Co. Londonderry, on its £8million financing and procurement of a gas-powered energy plant to repower and replace the existing coal-fired turbines.
TLT
The TLT future energy team represents prominent domestic and international clients across various sectors, including electric vehicle chargers, wind farms, and power stations. Leading the team is Andrew Ryan, renowned for his expertise in advising on planning applications for energy infrastructure. Kevin Murphy is experienced in advising on windfarms and anaerobic digestion plants. Senior associate Sarah Mulholland provides support regarding relevant real estate expertise.
Responsables de la pratique:
Andrew Ryan
Autres avocats clés:
Kevin Murphy; Sarah Mulholland
Principaux clients
Orsted
EP UK Investments
LCC Group
GRIDSERVE
Hill Renewables Ltd
ABO Wind
Energia Group
NoArc21
AyrPower Limited
Killeter Wind
Principaux dossiers
- Advised GRIDSERVE on its major upgrade of the Electric Highway, which comprises 300 electric vehicle chargers on the network along UK free ways and trunk roads, including an EV hub in Northern Ireland.
- Advised Orsted on a number of planning applications for wind farms in Northern Ireland in relation to planning and environmental matters.
- Advised EP UK Investments, the new owners of Kilroot and Ballylumford power stations on a series of major upgrade projects – the two largest power stations in Northern Ireland and a key part of NI’s energy generation infrastructure.
Tughans
Tughans’ energy and natural resources practice has extensive experience in energy related corporate and financing transactions. The practice is led by Andrew Kirke and Chris Milligan, both of whom are described as ‘trusted advisors’. Kirke is an expert in energy regulatory matters, while Milligan advises on real estate aspects of energy infrastructure. Maria O’loan, ‘great listener and communicator’, is knowledgeable in environmental legislation.
Responsables de la pratique:
Andrew Kirke; Chris Milligan
Autres avocats clés:
Maria O’Loan
Les références
‘We have instructed Tughans energy and projects team for a number of years now and continue to use them as they are knowledgeable, reliable and easy to work with. They often provide advice on tight timeframes and have demonstrated their expertise in the market time and again.’
‘Both Andrew Kirke and Chris Milligan are trusted advisors, they are friendly and always available on tight timeframes to provide expert advice.’
‘Andrew Kirke is simply the best solicitor I have ever used.’
Principaux clients
UK Department for Business Enterprise Innovation and Skills (BEIS)
SONI Limited
SSE Plc
ESB Group
Adman Civil Projects Limited
Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company (t/a Translink)
Indaver NV
Greencoat Capital,
ERG S.p.A.
Natural World Products
Northern Ireland Water
Principaux dossiers
- Provided advice to Indaver NV in respect of the engineer, procure and construct EPC contract and overall procurement pathway being adopted for the project.
- Provided advice to Weev across the full range of legal considerations relevant to charge point operators in Northern Ireland, including the planning, grid connection, regulatory, consenting, commercial contract, financing and intellectual property matters.
- Advised the UK Government Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy that has an annual operating budget of £13.8 Billion.
Mills Selig
The Mills Selig climate and energy team maintains a robust emphasis on energy commercial work, with a particular focus on acquiring windfarms. Leading the team is commercial property specialist Anna-Marie McAlinden, who is actively engaged with drafting leases. Meanwhile, Glenn Watterson, applies ‘exceptionally sound’ judgment to energy related corporate transactions.
Responsables de la pratique:
Anna-Marie McAlinden
Autres avocats clés:
Glenn Watterson; Emma McCloskey
Les références
‘Our experience of Mills Selig over the past seven years is of a team that is genuinely committed to serving their clients. They have a breadth of experience that has enabled several significant transactions for us where we have always felt fully supported, well-advised and respected.’
‘We have worked with Glenn Watterson for seven years. His judgment has always been exceptionally sound, his advice clear and his commitment and availability exemplary.
‘Emma McCloskey has developed into a trusted advisor for us, maturing into a very competent lawyer in whom we now regularly place our trust.’
Principaux clients
Natural World Products Limited
BSI Wind Ltd
3T Power Limited
Alpha Real Renewables (England)
Rengineers (Dutch)
Windkraft Waigandshain GmbH
Fuhrlander Turbines
Octopus Sustainable Infrastructure Fund L.P
Principaux dossiers
Shoosmiths LLP
Shoosmiths LLP Belfast focuses on the banking and corporate side of energy and infrastructure work, while the London office deals with relevant energy advisory work. Grant Edwards leads the practice. Edwards specialises in M&A work, and often advises energy clients on infrastructure acquisitions, financings, and refinancings.
Responsables de la pratique:
Grant Edwards
Les références
‘Efficient, available and practicable’
‘Available and pragmatic’
Principaux clients
Iona Capital Limited
EnergieKontor
ABO Wind
Capital Dynamics
MPG Wind (development entity) and MPG Energy (O&M entity)
Green Energy Hub
ReGen Waste
Industrial Finance and Leasing Limited
LBBW
Deepbridge Capital LLP