Dentons’ global Energy team had a strong presence at the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) 2015 Annual Event, which took place in Paris on 17–20 November 2015. The EWEA actively promotes the business interests of more than 600 wind energy companies across 50 countries. The 2015 Annual Event brought together more than 4000 participants to discuss cutting-edge technological knowledge, European policy, markets and financial issues.

Legal challenges for wind energy investors in Europe

Under the umbrella of the EWEA Annual Event, Dentons hosted a side event, Challenges of the changing legal environment for investors in the wind energy sector in Europe, which focused on the markets in France, Germany, Italy, Poland, and the UK.

The development of the European wind sector has been driven to date by the legally binding targets imposed by the 2009 EU Renewable Energy Directive and the subsidy mechanisms that national governments have put in place to help meet them. Now, however, the dynamics of onshore and offshore wind projects are changing significantly.

Dentons Energy lawyers from five major EU renewables markets – Tomasz Janas (Counsel, Warsaw), Marc Fornacciari (Partner, Paris), Peter Mayer (Partner, Berlin), Charles July (Partner, London), Adam Brown (Senior Associate, London) – provided participants with insight into market trends, opportunities, as well as constraints for investments in the wind energy sector in Europe.

Wind energy opportunities in Canada

On the same day, the Trade Commissioner Service of Canada also organized a side event, Canada: a wind-wind opportunity. With over 10 GW of installed wind energy capacity, Canada continues to be a world leader in wind energy installation. Mylany David, Partner in Dentons’ Montreal office, spoke at the event and provided an overview of the wind energy legal landscape in Canada.

Arkadiusz Krasnodębski, Warsaw office Managing Partner and Head of the Europe Energy practice, commented: “Dentons' involvement in the EWEA 2015 Annual Event this year showcases our strength in key energy markets and truly integrated approach to servicing our clients in their cross-border operations.”

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