 |
Germany
Matthias Lang and Stefanie Blasberg
In another attempt to speed up the grid connection of offshore wind farms to reach the government’s target for offshore wind power (25,000 MW in 2030), the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology (BMWi) and the Federal Ministry for the Environment (BMU) have issued a joint press release highlighting key items for a future liability regime for offshore wind farm grid connection and an offshore grid development plan. Grid connection had become a major challenge for German offshore wind parks, and the joint paper presents a first official overview of how the government wants to move ahead.
Draft Bill for Reduction of the Management Premium published by BMU Matthias Lang and Stefanie Blasberg
In connection with the recent solar feed-in tariff cuts, the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (Bundesumweltministerium, BMU) aims to reduce also the recently introduced renewable energy management premium.
After the latest Solar Feed-in Tariff Cuts in Germany– more reforms on the horizon? Christine Jury-Fischer
As expected the discussions with regard to reforms of the German incentive regime for solar power plants have not come to an end in spite of the latest solar feed-in tariff cuts approved only a few weeks ago. Not long after such cuts, new claims for more fundamental reforms, inter alia by the Federal Minister of Economics Philipp Rösler, have been lodged. The calls for more reforms emerged in close temporal proximity to the publication of the latest data furnished by the Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur) for the new PV capacity installed in the first half of 2012. According to such data solar power plants with an altogether installed capacity of almost 4.4 MW have been added in the respective period, thus, even exceeding the corresponding period in 2011 which had already shown a peak growth regarding solar installations until then.
First geothermal heat project in residential area in The Hague Bastiaan de Bruijne
In June 2012, The Hague has become the first city in the Netherlands to use deep geothermal heat to provide heating in a residential area. From a legal perspective, geothermal projects fall within the framework of conventional mining regulations but these regulations would need to be reformed to take specific issues into account.
Recent Developments in the Middle East Christine Rae and Wayne O’Sullivan
The Middle East has historically been one of the least diverse regions when it comes to energy. This is slowly changing and many governments have announced plans to branch out from their reliance on hydrocarbon based energy and setting targets to incorporate renewable energy into their energy mix.
Helen Loose and Jo Ketteley
Generators in the UK face a busy few months as they contribute to Government consultations and analyse policy decisions. Some of the key developments are set out below in short summary – please do not hesitate to contact us if you need further analysis or advice.
BIRD & BIRD Bird & Bird is an international legal practice comprising Bird & Bird LLP and its affiliated and associated businesses. Bird & Bird LLP is a limited liability partnership, registered in England and Wales with registered number OC340318 and is regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. Its registered office and principal place of business is at 15 Fetter Lane, London EC4A 1JP. For details of Bird & Bird, our offices, our members, the use of e-mail and regulatory information, please see twobirds.com and, in particular, twobirds.com/english/Legal_Notices.cfm. The word "partner" is used to refer to a member of Bird & Bird LLP or an employee or consultant, or to a partner, member, director, employee or consultant in any of its affiliated businesses, who has equivalent standing and qualifications. A list of members of Bird & Bird LLP and of any non-members who are designated as partners, and of their respective professional qualifications, is open to inspection at our London office address. All such persons are solicitors, registered foreign lawyers or non-registered European lawyers. | |
