Renewable energy
Norway is one of the world's largest producers of renewable energy and has, among other things, Europe's largest production of hydroelectric power. Hydroelectric power has traditionally been dominant in Norwegian electricity production. This will also be the case in the future, but in recent years alternatives to hydroelectric power have also emerged. This includes in particular wind power, bio energy and solar energy. In addition, district heating based on renewable energy has become a part of the supply system in larger cities.
Norway is part of a joint Nordic power market together with Sweden, Denmark and Finland, which in turn is integrated in the European power market via transmission links to the Netherlands, Germany, the Baltics, Poland and Russia. The integration with Europe allows Norway to export renewable energy, while the opportunity to import ensures that there is always electricity in the socket.
Currently, the renewable industry is facing a number of challenges that will affect future path choices. The integrated European power system and new consumption patterns could affect the current situation. Digitisation, in the form of, among other things, smart electric meters and artificial intelligence in production management will bring new operators. Nationally, it will be more challenging to be a small operator, both for the company itself and for the shareholders. New regulations will, among other things, place greater demands on the companies' expertise and the shareholders' knowledge of the economic framework conditions.
Over several decades, Wiersholm has developed a leading professional work environment of lawyers with in-depth renewable energy knowledge and experience, and today we are a full-service provider of legal advisory services to the operators in this industry. We offer efficient project management and legal assistance, regardless of the nature and scope of the commercial and legal issues being solved. Our lawyers have been involved in most major transactions and restructurings in the energy industry in recent years. We also have extensive experience in litigating disputes between industry operators.
Our clients are large and medium-sized Norwegian and international undertakings in the entire renewable energy value chain, and we assist both producers and suppliers. We offer advisory services to energy producers, network owners, energy retailers, as well as other operators related to the energy industry. We provide assistance to our clients in all relevant fields of law and in all matters relevant to this type of business. This includes transactions (mergers and acquisitions) and stock exchange listings, financing, conclusions of contracts and implementation of projects related to development, modifications and operations, regulatory matters and tax law issues. Our lawyers also continuously assist private undertakings in their contact with public authorities.