The Offshore Electricity Infrastructure Bill 2021 establishes a regulatory framework to facilitate the full life-cycle of offshore electricity infrastructure, from construction through to decommissioning, in the Commonwealth offshore area. Snapshot Once passed, the legislation will: establish a licencing framework for three categories of offshore electricity infrastructure activities in Commonwealth offshore areas: commercial (including feasibility), research … Read more

In the context of the ‘fit for 55’ package, published on 14 July 2021, the European Commission proposed the adoption of a new Regulation for the deployment of an alternative fuels infrastructure; the new Regulation will repeal Directive 2014/94/EU (DAFI). The initiative seeks to ensure the availability and usability of a dense, widespread network of … Read more

On 21 May, Spain’s Official State Journal (Boletín Oficial del Estado, or BOE), published Law 7/2021, of 20 May, on climate change and energy transition (Law 7/2021) after it had been approved by Spanish Congress. Law 7/2021 entered into effect on the following day. We look briefly at the law below, and for more analysis … Read more

Late 2020 recorded the publication at European level of significant documents and decisions in relation to hydrogen. In particular, following the Hydrogen Strategy implemented by the Commission in July 2020[1], on 11 December the Council published its conclusions on the steps to be taken to create a hydrogen market for Europe[2], on 17 December an … Read more

Victoria joins New South Wales and Queensland in decentralising the path towards “Net Zero”, setting out a roadmap for development of its renewable energy zones (REZ), including the establishment of VicGrid to oversee planning and development, and allocating a AUS$540 million REZ Fund in the State Budget. Snapshot A new entity ‘VicGrid’ is being established … Read more

EU Taxonomy Regulation – proposed technical screening criteria for climate change mitigation and adaptation On 20 November 2020 the European Commission published the proposed draft technical screening criteria for climate change mitigation and adaptation in the form of a draft delegated regulation, which was open to consultation until 18 December 2020. The Taxonomy Regulation came … Read more

The Supreme Court of Victoria has confirmed that wind farm assets on leased land do not constitute land to be valued. This is significant in the context of Victorian Fire Services Levy, duty and income tax on sale for foreign investors. A recent test case in the Supreme Court of Victoria in AWF Prop Co … Read more

The EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (“TCA“) establishes objectives for the energy market by providing for the facilitation of trade and investment between the EU and the UK (the “parties”) in the areas of energy and raw materials, and supporting security of supply and environmental sustainability, notably in contributing to the fight against climate change … Read more