Projects & Energy Transition

State of transition

With rising demand, a drive towards decarbonisation and a universal focus on climate change, the global energy industry is in a state of transition. Ashurst operates at the heart of the global energy industry, providing an end-to-end expert advisory service covering the full energy value chain, with deep knowledge of the energy transition including hydrogen, carbon capture, battery storage and emerging renewable technologies.

Industry knowledge

Ashurst is an ideal strategic partner to support industry participants in navigating this shifting landscape. We have a team of lawyers who are dedicated to, and work exclusively in, the energy industry. This spans all aspects of work relevant to your business to provide a holistic approach, including greenfield project development, M&A, energy regulation, corporate finance, joint ventures, commercial agreements, project financing, environmental and planning law, maritime/shipping law and dispute resolution, together with associated areas such as competition and regulation, tax and international law.

Operating at the heart of industry

Our expertise covers all aspects of transport and social infrastructure, whether our clients need to build a hospital, fund a new road or manage the governance of a railway.

Rounded perspective

Our in-depth knowledge of the industry and our history of working with governments, sponsors and financiers means we have a comprehensive and balanced view, and understand how projects work from all perspectives. We combine pragmatism with practical understanding, innovation and a rounded perspective to deliver complex projects.

Focus on regeneration projects

As cities continue to develop and evolve to maintain pace with consumer demand, there is a greater focus on major urban regeneration projects that combine practicality and function with sustainable development. Our expert team assists clients to develop and deliver these projects in high density environments, working closely to drive master developments in developed and emerging cities. 

Leveraging expertise across the globe

We focus on project objectives to develop a tailored approach to renewal strategies, leveraging off our digital technologies, infrastructure, telecommunications, transport, utilities, sustainability and energy teams to capture value for our clients.

Focus on all aspects of regulation

Our practitioners focus on all aspects of environmental and planning law for major infrastructure, resources and energy projects, including environmental assessment and approval strategies, permitting, investigations and compliance, due diligence and environmental risk management, contaminated sites, water, waste and advice and submissions on legislation and policy. We have skilled capability in emerging areas of environmental regulation such as clean energy, climate change and water trading.

Ensuring compliance and project objectives

With comprehensive front-end and back-end environmental and planning expertise, we have extensive experience in delivering solutions geared to help ensure compliance with legislation in a manner consistent with each client's corporate objectives.

Managing the carbon footprint

During the energy transition the world will remain reliant on natural resources for decades to come. To help our resources clients with the transition we assist with the process of decarbonising their projects, ensuring that the carbon footprint is responsibly managed whilst supporting resource development.

Experience spanning the project value chain

Our team offers multi-disciplinary expertise across all facets of large scale, complex resources projects, including mining, oil and gas. Our experience spans the full spectrum of the project value chain, in every aspect of exploration, development, financing, operations, marketing, shipping and into closure and decommissioning. We seamlessly integrate this expertise across disciplines including dispute resolution, M&A, safety and employment, property, environment, competition and tax.

Our knowledge and experience mean we understand the issues our clients face and work as an integral part of each client's team to help deliver landmark projects across the energy, transport, and infrastructure sectors. Our experienced construction team advises on the construction aspects of both publicly and privately financed energy, transport, infrastructure, and regeneration projects including procurement strategy and structure as well as all types of property sales and purchases. We act for developers, public bodies, funding institutions, project sponsors, contractors, and consultants.

Commercial and proactive approach

We have the expertise, depth, and proven track record in providing legal services in the design and development of complex construction and development projects across energy, transport, infrastructure, commercial, and residential sectors. We bring our knowledge and understanding of the industries we operate in to provide our clients not just with expert legal advice but also commercial insight. We get involved at the earliest stages of any project and work closely with our clients and project teams to ensure the right contract is in place, create project delivery strategies and management processes, overcome obstacles, and strive to minimise risk and meet commercial objectives.