Contact
Christian von Hammerstein
Dr. Carl-Stephan Schweer
Dr. Stephan Bernhard Koch
Dr. Bernd Beckmann
Dr. Bettina Tugendreich

Energy
Raue LLP is one of the leading German law firms for the energy sector. We advise energy companies on all matters relating to energy law and antitrust law, with our expertise extending into procurement law, public law, and commercial and corporate law. One focus of our work is the development, negotiation and implementation of national and international energy infrastructure projects, as well as mergers and acquisitions in the energy sector. Another integral part of our practice is providing advice regarding policy-related and regulatory issues: We advise companies, trade associations, ministries, and other administrative bodies on the evolution of the regulatory framework for the energy markets.

We have an in-depth understanding of the energy markets and of technological developments in this sector and are thus able to ensure that our legal advice is consistent with the economic context in which our clients operate. Areas in which we specialize include:

 

Infrastructure Projects

• Power plant projects, especially modern combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power plants
• Renewable energy projects (onshore and offshore wind projects, photovoltaics, hydropower, biomass)
• Combined heat and power installations
• Energy storage facilities
• Power line and pipeline projects
• Permit procedures
• EPC agreements and operating agreements
• Project finance
• Upstream projects

 

Trade and Distribution

• Fuel and energy supply contracts
• Pricing revision negotiations
• Energy and energy derivate trading (energy exchange and OTC)
• Emissions trading
• Arbitration

 

Mergers & Acquisitions

• Acquisition of companies and shareholdings in the energy sector
• Privatization and “re-municipalization” of utilities
• Acquisition of grids
• Cooperation projects

 

Market Regulation

• Network entry and connection issues
• Antitrust law in the energy sector
• Concession agreements
• Unbundling
• Renewable energy code (EEG) and combined heat and power code (KWKG) issues
• Representation of clients vis-à-vis the Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur), state regulatory agencies, the Federal Cartel Office (Bundeskartellamt) and the European Commission, as well as in proceedings before civil and administrative courts and the European Courts of Justice
• Advising energy companies on financial markets regulation

 

Natural Resources

Another area in which Raue LLP specializes is advising companies and public bodies on matters relating to the use and ownership of natural resources. The responsible use of natural resources and the balancing of conflicting interests in this area are issues of growing significance.

 

We advise our clients both on the sourcing and use of natural resources, as well as on waste and recycling issues. Our practice encompasses the following:

• Water supply and waste water
• Gas generation including biogas
• Waste treatment, including the use of waste for energy generation
• The sourcing and marketing of biofuels

 

Climate Change
Raue LLP is one of the leading German law firms in the field of climate change law. Since the signing of the Kyoto Protocol in 1997, a new regulatory approach for tackling climate change has been established. Global and regional emissions trading schemes (Kyoto Protocol emissions trading, EU Emissions Trading Scheme) were put into place to increase the efficiency of emissions reduction. The market on which emissions certificates are traded is a global one, and our climate change practice reflects this. The transactions and projects we are involved in take place all over the world. In addition, we advise various governments (especially in the CIS region) and multilateral institutions on international climate change law and its national implications. Our climate change group specializes in the following:

• Advising energy and industry sector clients on the allocation and auctioning of emission certificates under the EU Emissions Trading Scheme
• Providing advice on the management of emissions certificate portfolios
• International flexible mechanism projects under the Kyoto Protocol (CDM – Clean Development Mechanism und JI – Joint Implementation), including according representation vis-à-vis the UN Climate Secretariat and national government bodies
• Negotiating Emission Reduction Purchase Agreements (ERPAs)
• Advising clients on the structuring and management of climate funds
• Drafting pro forma and framework agreements for the trading of various kinds of emissions certificate, including swap agreements etc.