Energy and natural resources

As global energy consumption continues to grow, so does the need for sustainable, secure and affordable energy and natural resources. At Penningtons Manches Cooper, our experienced energy lawyers are expertly placed to advise on the opportunities and challenges arising from transformations occurring across all segments of the energy and natural resources sector.

Enabling organisations of all sizes to fulfil their potential as well as keep abreast of best practice, we provide guidance on the transition to net zero as well as new energy solutions, the developing hydrogen economy and carbon markets. Our energy law specialists also make a pivotal contribution to the firm’s broader, multidisciplinary sustainability offering, assisting businesses in reaching their sustainable development goals.

Energy transition is dependent on mining and metals, whether the focus is on generation, transmission or storage. There is high demand for ‘battery-metals’ such as copper, cobalt, lithium and nickel, while the market for precious and base metals is equally strong. We act for a broad range of mining companies, contractors, operators, financiers and traders, supporting every stage of the life-cycle. Our energy lawyers have decades of experience in the mining industry across a variety of jurisdictions.

Within the fast-moving oil and gas market, we work throughout the value chain. Alongside colleagues from our shipping and sustainability teams, we act for governments, national oil companies, international oil companies, service providers and independent players, advising on upstream, midstream and downstream transactions.

In the quest to achieve net-zero emissions, it is widely accepted that hydrogen is a fundamental part of the clean energy solution. We can provide legal support on all aspects of the hydrogen value chain, including production, storage, infrastructure and distribution. We also advise on the carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) of waste produced from the development of clean hydrogen and other forms of power generation. Our energy lawyers are proficient in dealing with the carbon market and the trading of emissions credits.

Renewable energy has moved from being a ‘new energy’ source to the new normal with costs reduced by the scale of installed capacity in many jurisdictions. We have advised on the development of solar, hydro, geothermal and waste to energy projects all over the world.  Our energy law specialists have worked on onshore and offshore wind farms as well as conventional power projects, both thermal and nuclear.

As new technologies become ever more significant in achieving net-zero emissions, we keep pace with the very latest developments and the legislation which affects them. Through our highly-regarded technology transfer team, many of whom have a science background, we are at the inception of some of the world’s most exciting innovations, including fuel cell technology.