Client services

Energy facilities projects

The government’s commitment to reducing UK carbon emissions by 80% means that the pressure put upon businesses to reduce their energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions is mounting.

The Climate Change Levy, currently added to the cost of non-domestic energy, and the forthcoming Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme (CRC) are illustrations of the measures being put in place by the UK government to oblige medium to large sized organisations - from both the private and public sector - to offset their carbon emissions, or face financial penalties for inefficient energy use.

The challenge for businesses then is to decrease energy dependency, increase energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions and deliver all this with significant cost savings.

Hill Dickinson
We are the leading law firm in the country in the field of energy facilities projects, particularly those involving technology such as CHP technology on the supply side, and energy efficiency measures like high-frequency lighting and improved building energy management systems on the demand side.

Outsourcing arrangements are one of the best ways in which an end-user can gain the benefits of new, reliable and efficient technology, without having to take on any of the operating risk associated with running, fuelling and maintaining bespoke energy facilities. Hill Dickinson can navigate you through the contractual complexities which can be associated with this type of arrangement.

We have worked on 13 energy facilities projects involving CHP technology - more than any other law firm. These schemes have had a combined capital value of more than £50 million. Each of the projects has delivered significantly improved energy efficiency, as well as reducing carbon emissions. This has led to total guaranteed annual savings for the end users of around £6 million per year.

We pride ourselves on delivering jargon-free solutions to meet your objectives. Our services include providing pragmatic legal guidance at every stage of the process. This begins with initiation and procurement and continues through to completion, commissioning and operation. We also draft complex sets of agreements and contracts with private sector organisations relating to energy services projects involving:

• the installation of new CHP plant and equipment;
• the installation of demand-side efficiencies such as high-frequency lighting,
improved heating and improved Building Energy Management Systems;
• the delivery of electricity, steam, heat and cooling solutions; and
• energy and facilities management services.