Public consultation open: Proposed offshore renewable energy infrastructure area off the NSW Hunter Coast

The Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) announced yesterday that it is seeking public feedback on the possible effects of renewable energy projects off the NSW Hunter coast. This announcement follows last year’s declaration of part of Bass Strait off Victoria’s Gippsland coast as Australia’s first offshore renewable energy infrastructure … Read more

Consultation Open for Re-Design of EU’s Power Market

On January 26, the European Commission (“EC”) launched a consultation resulting from the ongoing discussions around the reform of the European Union’s (“EU”) electricity market. Cracks in the market design became visible after a drastic reduction in the importation of Russian gas, prompting a re-assessment of the structural shortcomings of the market. This consultation primarily … Read more

UK rejoins North Sea Energy Cooperation with EU countries

The UK Government has signed a landmark memorandum of understanding (“MoU“) facilitating renewable energy cooperation between the UK, the European Union and other North Seas countries. This agreement marks a major step towards ensuring post-Brexit energy security for the UK and sets out a framework for future collaboration for an initial period until 30 June … Read more

Consultation Open for Future Contract for Difference Allocation Rounds

In December 2022, the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) initiated a consultation regarding the considerations for future Contracts for Difference (CfD) rounds. This consultation is aimed at seeking feedback to the potential changes that may be made to the upcoming allocation round (AR6) due to open in 2024, as well as providing … Read more

Podcast: Patents for the clean energy transition: the debate continues

In this podcast, Emma Iles and Rebekah Gay from our Melbourne and Sydney offices are joined by Andrew Wells from our London office to discuss the role of intellectual property rights in a rapid and fair renewable energy transition. Global players are competing to set increasingly ambitious net-zero emissions targets. Do patents help or hinder … Read more

Patents in hydrogen on the up – a prediction of things to come?

Governments and companies alike are striving towards a net-zero emissions future and implementing new technologies to help them get there. Hydrogen has emerged as a promising technology in the path to the clean energy transition, leading governments to recently announce ambitious hydrogen targets and projects. Read more

Africa’s competitive edge as a clean hydrogen hub

The following article by Nina Bowyer, a partner based in our Paris office and the co-Head of the firm’s Africa Practice Group, and Barbara McNulty, an associate based in our London office, was first published by Africa Oil Week (AOW) ahead of AOW 2022, taking place in Cape Town in October 2022. Herbert Smith Freehills … Read more

RIDERS ON THE STORM – UK AND EU RAMP UP ENERGY CRISIS RESPONSES AS WINTER LOOMS

The post below was first published on our Policy Matters blog. On her third day as Prime Minister, Liz Truss announced an unprecedented £150 billion support package for households and business alongside emergency electricity market interventions which will feed into a more fundamental ongoing review. The EU also announced radical proposals. We take a look at … Read more