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This map highlights key infrastructure projects and initiatives that are driving the shift towards sustainable energy solutions.
Navigate through the map to find detailed information on each project and understand how these developments are contributing to a sustainable future.
Nuclear power has historically been one of the largest contributors of carbon-free electricity globally and it has significant potential to contribute to decarbonisation. However, if current capacity is to be maintained, new nuclear investment will be required. With nuclear power facing an uncertain political future in many countries, the world risks a steep decline in its use in advanced economies that could result in billions of tonnes of additional carbon emissions.
We offer market leading expertise across all the legal issues which shape the international nuclear industry.
Linklaters’ global nuclear practice covers every aspect of the nuclear fuel cycle, from the mining of uranium and the fuel supply, through regulation and licensing, to financing and development of sites and decommissioning of obsolete plant and treatment of spent fuel. We have a reputation for advising on some of the most strategic and complex deals across the globe and have reviewed the documentation from all angles.
With world resources finite and increasing awareness of the harmful effects of our ‘throwaway culture’, a move towards a circular economy is a sensible option. With the re-use of waste as a resource and new technological approaches that have lowered capital costs, anaerobic digestion has in recent years received increased attention among governments in several countries, including the UK, Germany, Denmark and the United States.
Anaerobic digestion is widely used as a source of renewable energy. The process produces a biogas, which can be used directly as fuel, in combined heat and power gas engines or upgraded to natural gas-quality biomethane.
Linklaters has a depth of experience in energy from waste, biomass, biogas and landfill gas energy transactions.
Thermal power plants have the potential to play an important role in future clean energy when combined with CCUS, and even without as a transitional solution for flexible demand. Still the go-to solution in many places for baseload and, in particular, peaking power provision, new and retro-fit thermal plant will have a role to play in power networks for many years to come.
Linklaters has advised extensively on private sector thermal power projects since the first privatisations in the seventies and maintains an active practice across regulatory, new build, commodity trading, tolling, M&A and financing roles in this sector. We are currenty working on some of the first power-with-CCUS projects in the world.
A key to producing low carbon hydrogen lies at the heart of the petrochemicals industry. Syngas, produced by methane reformation, is the primary source of current global hydrogen supply. If coupled with carbon capture and utilisation and/or storage, this technology has the potential to facilitate the large scale production and distribution of no/low carbon hydrogen across several global industrial hubs and beyond.
Linklaters has leading experience on projects incorporating methane reformation such as the HyNet low carbon hydrogen from natural gas project in the UK, for Dow Chemicals in Thailand, the proposed Don Valley coal gasification with CCS power plant in the UK, the Oryx GTL plant in Qatar and the Escravos GTL project in Nigeria.
Renewables, including solar, wind and hydro are at the centre of the transition to a less carbon-intensive and more sustainable energy system. Currently, 26% of global electricity is derived from renewables but capacity is set to expand by 50% by 2024. Cost reductions in renewables and advances in digital technologies are opening huge opportunities for energy transitions.
We established our Green Energy Group in 2000 and have been at the forefront of renewable energy developments ever since. From wind to solar and hydro to geothermal, our lawyers have global experience in financing and development, M&A and regulatory regimes for the full range of renewable assets.
Carbon Capture, Usage and Storage (CCUS), especially where existing infrastructure can be re-used, provides an important alternative (through both clean gas-fired power and blue hydrogen) for reducing emissions across the energy system and delivering net zero. Although relatively new, Linklaters is at the forefront of this developing technology having advised clients for over 10 years on CCUS projects.
Our partner, Charlotte Morgan Chaired the UK Carbon Capture Usage Taskforce, delivering a strategic plan to the UK Government of the deployment of CCUS. Linklaters has been involved in CCUS in the UK for several years having advised on CCUS projects in the previous two government run competitions. We are the only law firm participating in the CCUS Expert Groups established by BEIS. Through these Expert Groups and bilateral discussions, we are actively helping industry and Government to shape the development of stable integrated investment frameworks across the CCUS chain.
We have also advised on several CCUS projects. We advised BP in respect of the proposed Peterhead CCS project and on its participation in the UK Government’s first CCS competition. In the UK Government’s second CCS competition we worked as project counsel for both the Don Valley CCS project and the White Rose CCS project.
Linklaters is currently assisting on anchor projects for two of the proposed new CCUS clusters in the UK.
Water connects every aspect of life. It is vital for the sustenance of life as well as a myriad of commercial and industrial uses. Yet 1 in 9 people still do not have access to safe drinking water and 2 billion live without sanitation. Climate change is exacerbating the problem, increasing droughts and their duration.
The demand for clean water will generate opportunities in desalination, filtration as well as in conservation and efficiency.
Linklaters has been advising on the financing and development of global water projects for the past 30 years. From IWPPs to ISTPs and water treatment plants our commitment to the environment and ESG means that our water sector specialists are dedicated to acting on important deals with the aim of providing clean water for future generations in both scarce areas and new mega cities.
Low-carbon gases, such as biogas, bio methane, and blue hydrogen and green hydrogen (produced via electrolysis from renewable electricity sources) can play an important role in the transition towards a carbon-neutral energy sector. As well as their role in reducing emissions in hard-to-decarbonise sectors, these green gases can provide valuable balancing capability to support the deployment of intermittent renewable energy sources, provide flexibility and competition in the energy system and create new jobs.
By 2050 “green gases" – mainly H2 and bio methane – could represent 30% to 70% of total gas use. Existing gas networks could contribute to this energy transition by adapting or repurposing to handle bio methane, admixtures of hydrogen and natural gas, or even pure hydrogen.
Most use cases for low/no carbon gases and liquids such as hydrogen, ammonia, methanol and bio-methane will require the development or repurposing of suitable transportation and storage infrastructure. Some may require vertically integrated, capital-intensive and/or cross border value chains (such as those common in the LNG industry). Other use cases, such as injection and blending into existing transmission and distribution gas grids, will raise complex regulatory, policy and financing considerations.
Linklaters has experience across all aspects of gas distribution and pipelines including on the M&A of National Grid and Endesa’s gas distribution networks, NET4GAS, Thyssengas and stakes in gas pipelines including the EUGAL gas pipeline. We have also advised on the expansion of COMGAS in Brazil as well as on the refinancing of Società Gasdotti Italia and Zoom Gas Pipelines. We have extensive experience in advising in relation to gas storage assets across the UK and Europe including the financing and development of gas storage facilities as well as subsequent M&A.
District energy systems are an efficient and cost-effective way to reduce the carbon footprint of built-up areas like city centres and industrial parks. When combined with renewable energy sources they can help meet rising urban energy needs, improve efficiency, reduce emissions and improve local air quality and are one of the most efficient ways to decarbonise cities.
Linklaters has advised on several district heating or cooling networks, including:
the acquisition of Elenia in Finland, which currently has over 500MW of renewable power connected to its grid; and
the acquisition of Dalkia Polska, a company that has over 2800km district heating and cooling networks and that currently uses 40% renewable and recovered energy.
As societies look for cleaner options for transportation and for ways to maintain a clean and continued power supply, the evolution of next generation batteries and storage technology is taking place.
For several years, Linklaters has been advising grid operators, corporates, banks and financial investors on a range of issues relating to batteries (both EV and industrial scale) and storage.
Digital infrastructure underpins the digital, cultural and social infrastructures to develop places where people want to live, work and visit. As the world demands ever greater connectivity it will require ever greater investment in the infrastructure that makes that happen. In 2019, US$72bn was invested into digital infrastructure.
From fibre to data centres and telcoms towers to space and satellites, Linklaters has been involved in some of the digital infrastructure sector’s leading deals for many years.
We are uniquely well placed to support clients in the digital infrastructure space as our integrated cross-practice global network combines our leading M&A team, telecoms sector experts (including commercial, regulatory and foreign investment) and financing specialists (including acquisition, CAPEX and infrastructure financing).
Convenient and affordable charging infrastructure is crucial in the switch to low carbon vehicles. From the customer's point of view, the attractiveness of vehicles depends on the simplicity of their use - so charging is a crucial factor. Much of the innovation in the sector coming from the private sector with governments slow to take steps to co-ordinate action.
Linklaters is one of the few firms with a dedicated Automotive sector team and has been advising energy companies, grid operators, financial investors and EV manufacturers on innovative transactions to support the roll-out of charging infrastructure.
The demand for decarbonised chemicals and plastics will play a significant role in driving change in the sector. Low or no carbon feedstocks, including green and blue hydrogen, ammonia and methanol, as well as emerging technologies such as monomer recycling/depolymerisation for polyethylene terephthalate (PET) recycling, will facilitate a significant transition from current dependence on carbon intensive petrochemicals.
Linklaters’ leading chemicals practice has cutting edge experience in this area from our roles on landmark deals such as BP’s recent sale of its “Infinia” circular PET technology to INEOS.
Clean transport is one of the most revolutionary changes to take place in the history of transport. Many governments are looking at reducing emissions from transport by 2050. The take-up will transform not just driving habits and energy usage, but supply chains, industries and physical infrastructure worldwide. It will also have the effect of strengthening economies by promoting sustainable urban mobilities and improving quality of life.
Linklaters has a broad range of global experience in relation to decarbonising transport. We have been advising a range of market players on regulation, joint ventures and the financing and development of EVs and batteries, as well as on the electrification of railways and hydrogen for heavy vehicle transport.
Implementing more sustainable manufacturing processes is an increasing focus for companies. Sustainability can come in many forms including energy efficiency upgrades, conversion to renewable energy and using renewable materials or green chemistry. The development and financing of large-scale manufacturing facilities often pose unique challenges in managing construction and supply chain risk. There is significant opportunity as global business and consumers alike look to move to a more sustainable way of living. Clients looking to manufacture ‘green’ products also come to us for support, and we have advised on the construction and financing of manufacturing facilities for solar PV components as well as the project financing of a solar grade polysilicon manufacturing plant in Italy.
Linklaters’ combination of Industrials and renewables expertise makes us best placed to advise on future opportunities. We recently advised Jingye Steel on its acquisition of the assets of British Steel Jingye plans to invest in the business over the next decade in upgrading plants and machinery, improving the new company’s environmental performance and boosting its energy efficiency.
Our environment team also assist clients with EU ETS obligations and have worked on greenhouse gas reduction commitments and trading for clients such as Jingye, Solvay and AP Moller-Maersk.
Each year, 90 billion tonnes of primary materials are extracted and used globally, with only 9% recycled. A 'circular economy' model, which employs not only waste management, but reuse, recycling and responsible manufacture, ‘closes the loop’ and could reduce emissions and increase the efficient use of natural resources (including energy, water and materials). Linklaters has extensive experience of the waste market, including advising clients including Veolia and Biffa on waste management or incineration facilities globally as well as assisting in strategic M&A of companies such as Urbaser, GEMS, Befesa and Waste Recycling Group.
The recovery of energy from waste also plays an important role in emission reduction. We have a strong track record in assisting clients with the financing and development of such plants, including Earlsgate, Riverside and Newhurst in England, Palermo in Italy and Belfast, Northern Ireland.
There can be significant risks associated with recycling and waste processing include contaminated land, waste management and emissions. Our environmental team advise clients on the full range of these transactional risks including regulation and enforcement trends.
Click here for more information on our waste and recycling experience, including our energy from waste experience and here for our report on EV battery recycling
Global Sector Lead – Energy Transition, London
United Kingdom
Energy & Infrastructure Partner, London
United Kingdom
Corporate / M&A Partner, London
United Kingdom
Partner, Brussels
Belgium
Partner, Madrid
Spain
Partner, Co-Head of Asia Energy & Infrastructure, Hong Kong SAR
Partner, Co-Head of Asia Energy & Infrastructure, Dubai
Energy & Infrastructure Partner, London
United Kingdom
Energy & Infrastructure Partner, Singapore
Singapore
German Head of Energy, Berlin
Germany
Corporate Partner, Stockholm
Sweden
Energy & Infrastructure Partner, Paris
France
Partner, London
United Kingdom
Energy & Infrastructure Partner, London
United Kingdom
Global Co-Head of Telecoms, Media and Business Services, Corporate Partner, London
United Kingdom