Energy & Sustainability
The energy transition creates unprecedented legal challenges and investment opportunities. Trusteed combines energy expertise with knowledge of environmental law, financing and ESG regulations. Whether you are a renewable energy developer, industrial off-taker or institutional investor - we guide you through the complexity of the sustainable economy.
Trusteed guides energy companies, project developers and investors through the energy transition and sustainability initiatives. From offshore wind farms to hydrogen projects, from solar farms to energy storage - our expertise covers all legal aspects of renewable energy, ESG compliance and the transition to a low-carbon economy.
Key Regulations
Electricity Act
Gas Act
Climate Act
Environmental Management Act
Environment and Planning Act
EU Renewable Energy Directive
Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism
Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive
EU Taxonomy Regulation
Nitrogen Legislation
Our Expertise
Specialized legal services within this sector
Transactions & Structuring
Complex transactions and optimal corporate structures
Regulation & Compliance
Compliance with sector-specific laws and regulations
International Aspects
Cross-border legal matters
Risk Management
Legal risk analysis and mitigation
Renewable Energy Projects
Development of wind, solar and hydrogen projects requires navigation through permits, grid connection and subsidies. We guide developers through Environment and Planning Act procedures, Natura 2000 assessments and nitrogen calculations for project approval. Our expertise includes SDE++ subsidy applications, grid connection agreements with network operators and power purchase agreements with industrial off-takers. For offshore wind, we advise on zone decision procedures, seabed leases and supply chain contracting. We structure joint ventures between developers and utilities that share development risk and optimize commercial operation, ensuring compliance with renewable energy targets and permit conditions.
Project Finance & Investments
Renewable energy assets require specialized project finance structures with non-recourse debt and tax equity investors. We advise on financing operational wind farms, solar parks and battery storage facilities with institutional lenders and infrastructure funds. Our expertise includes sculpting cash waterfall structures, reserve accounts and revenue support mechanisms via CFDs and feed-in tariffs. For greenfield projects, we structure construction financing with completion guarantees, liquidated damages and milestone-based disbursements. We negotiate lender documentation with comprehensive security packages over project companies, accounts and offtake contracts ensuring bankability during 15-25 year operational periods.
ESG & Corporate Sustainability
Corporate sustainability reporting evolves from voluntary disclosure to mandatory CSRD compliance. We advise listed and large companies on implementation of double materiality assessments, sustainability reporting frameworks and assurance procedures. Our expertise includes EU Taxonomy alignment for green activities, SFDR disclosures for financial products and supply chain due diligence under CSDDD. For scope 3 emissions, we advise on data collection, verification and reduction commitments. We develop sustainability-linked financing structures with KPI targets for carbon intensity, renewable energy usage and circular economy metrics linking funding costs to ESG performance.
Carbon Markets & Climate Regulation
Carbon pricing mechanisms create compliance obligations and trading opportunities. We advise EU ETS participants on emission allowance strategies, MRV procedures and free allocation applications. For CBAM compliance, we guide importers through carbon content calculations, verification and customs declarations. Our expertise includes voluntary carbon markets with carbon credit procurement, verification standards (Verra, Gold Standard) and avoidance of greenwashing claims. For net-zero commitments, we advise on Science Based Targets, carbon removal strategies and climate-related financial disclosures under TCFD. We structure climate transition plans combining regulatory compliance with commercial sustainability strategy.
Why Trusteed
In-depth Knowledge
Years of experience within this sector
Strategic Approach
Legal advice with business operations in mind
International Experience
Cross-border expertise and network
Sector Characteristics
Frequently Asked Questions
How do we navigate permit procedures for wind projects?
Wind project permits require coordination of Environment and Planning Act procedures, nature permits and grid connection. We advise on early stage consultations with municipalities and provinces, Natura 2000 appropriate assessments and nitrogen mitigation measures. For offshore wind, we guide zone decision procedures, environmental impact assessments and grid connection tenders. Our process strategies anticipate stakeholder objections and plan legal routes that minimize development risks and maximize timeline certainty.
What contract structures do we recommend for PPAs?
Power Purchase Agreements balance price certainty for off-takers with revenue security for generators. We structure physical PPAs with baseload/peak profiles, balancing responsibilities and curtailment provisions. For virtual PPAs, we advise on contract-for-difference mechanics, settlement procedures and credit support annexes. Our PPA terms address force majeure events, change in law provisions and early termination rights accommodating regulatory changes and market disruptions while maintaining long-term offtake commitments.
How do we implement CSRD sustainability reporting?
CSRD compliance requires gap analyses against ESRS standards, double materiality assessments and data collection infrastructure. We advise on stakeholder consultations, determination of material impacts and risks, and development of disclosure frameworks for E, S and G topics. For phased implementation, we advise on timelines, assurance requirements and integration with financial reporting. Our pragmatic approach balances regulatory compliance with manageable implementation burden and prepares companies for investor scrutiny of sustainability disclosures.
What are the legal aspects of green hydrogen projects?
Hydrogen projects combine renewable electricity generation, electrolysis facilities and H2 transport infrastructure. We advise on subsidies under EU IPCEI frameworks, offtake agreements with industrial users and grid connection for power input. Legal issues include guarantees of origin for green hydrogen, blending limitations in gas grids and cross-border hydrogen transport regulation. For export projects, we structure shipping contracts, port access agreements and compliance with emerging hydrogen certification schemes ensuring regulatory acceptance in destination markets.
How do we structure sustainability-linked financings?
Sustainability-linked loans and bonds link margin adjustments to ESG KPIs such as carbon intensity reduction, renewable energy percentage or circular material usage. We advise on KPI selection that is material, measurable and ambitious, baseline determination and target calibration. Our documentation includes verification procedures, reporting obligations and margin step-up/step-down mechanics. We ensure KPI frameworks comply with Sustainability-Linked Loan Principles, external review requirements and avoid greenwashing risks while incentivizing genuine sustainability improvements.
Discuss yourlegal matter
The energy transition and sustainability agenda dominate boardroom discussions worldwide. New regulations such as CSRD, EU Taxonomy and CBAM create compliance challenges and competitive advantages. Our specialists understand both technical and legal aspects of renewable energy, ESG and climate regulation. From project development to corporate sustainability - we provide integrated legal advice facilitating transition.
