Browne Jacobson to advise Welsh Government on Renewable Energy Developer programme

Law firm Browne Jacobson has been appointed as legal adviser to the Welsh Government on the set up of the Renewable Energy Developer (RED) programme which will support the delivery of a significant pipeline of renewable energy projects.

The four-year contract, which has an option to extend by one year, will see the firm advise on a range of areas including, corporate governance, IT and data, subsidy control, procurement, planning and environmental law, and property.

Browne Jacobson recently announced the opening of its first office in Wales, located in Cardiff, having delivered legal advice to clients in Wales for more than 25 years.

The firm has previously given strategic advice to the Welsh Government on several high-profile matters in recent years including the Covid-19 pandemic inquiry, post-Grenfell Building Safety, and the development of the £35m Morlais tidal stream renewable energy project located off the coast of Anglesey.

Partner Craig Elder who works across the firm’s Government & Infrastructure and Energy & Infrastructure practice and is leading the Browne Jacobson team on this project, said: “We are thrilled to have landed this major new instruction, to advise the Welsh Government in establishing the RED programme. The programme will be integral to the development of a number of exciting and important large scale solar and wind projects on public land, whilst this appointment builds on the diverse legal expertise we have showcased recently on some major, innovative Welsh clean energy infrastructure projects.”

Tim Edds, Head and joint co-founding partner of the Cardiff office, added: “We are proud to have been given the opportunity to further strengthen our relationship with the Welsh Government and support them in the strategic setup and vision of the RED programme. This appointment is a great endorsement of our ambitions relating to our newly opened Cardiff office, to advise on innovative green energy projects that are having a positive impact in the renewable energy sector, in which Wales is leading the way. The work underpins our firmwide commitments to actively supporting the ESG agenda and the fight against climate change.”