NEWS & INSIGHTS
Up-to-date.

  • Home
  • News & Insights

Search by

Latest

Insights March 2024

CfD Scheme soon to be launched in Romania

On 14 March 2024, the Romanian Ministry of Energy launched for public consultations the draft Government decision on the approval of the general legal framework for the implementation and functioning of the Contracts for Difference support scheme for low carbon technologies ("CfD Scheme"). There is a short deadline for public consultations: 25 March 2024. In early March, Romania received the green light from the European Commission to launch a EUR 3 billion state aid programme to promote the deployment of wind and solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity to meet its energy transition goals. The support scheme foresees two auction rounds, in 2024, the first auction of 2 GW, consisting of 1 GW solar and 1 GW wind; and in 2025

News March 2024

Kinstellar announces new promotions to Counsel

February 2024 – Kinstellar is delighted to announce the promotions to Counsel of: Yerlan Akhmetov, Kuanysh Shekerbekov (Almaty, Kazakhstan), Cătălin Dinu, Cătălin Graure (Bucharest, Romania), Barnabás Sági (Budapest, Hungary), Yulia Eismont, Maksym Tesliar (Kyiv, Ukraine), Michal Forýtek (Prague, Czech Republic),  Andrijana Kaštelan, Vedran Kopilović, Marija Vuchetich (Zagreb, Croatia). ALMATY Yerlan Akhmetov focuses on banking and finance, M&A and capital markets matters. Having been with the Firm for nine years, Yerlan has earned a reputation for cultivating strong client relationships, demonstrating leadership qualities and making significant contributions to our firm's success. He has played a key role

News February 2024

Kinstellar reinforces its capabilities in Uzbekistan with the appointment of Kamilla Khamraeva as Counsel

Kinstellar is delighted to announce that Kamilla Khamraeva has joined the firm’s Tashkent office as Counsel. Kamilla focuses on Banking & Finance and the Energy and Infrastructure sectors. Kamilla is an experienced lawyer with a strong track record implementing some of the major and most sophisticated projects in Uzbekistan in recent years. She has also been involved in regional initiatives overseeing mandates in Turkmenistan, collaborating with local firms/lawyers on the ground. During her legal career she has advised the IFC, ADB, EBRD, Intesa Sanpaolo, Unicredit, Credit Suisse, MUFG, SACE and others in various transactions. Kamilla often works closely with lenders on structuring bespoke transactions to

Insights February 2024

Significant changes envisaged to grid connection for new power-generation capacities in Romania

The Romanian Energy Regulatory Authority (“ANRE”) has announced important amendments to the rules for connecting new power-generation capacities to the public network. On 1 February 2024, ANRE released for public consultation a draft order (“Draft Order”) regarding the approval of the Methodology for capacity allocation of new power-generation capacities (the “Methodology”) as well as other amendments to ANRE Order no. 59/2013 approving the public grid connection regulation (the “Connection Regulation”). Comments to the Draft Order may be submitted to ANRE by 1 March 2024. The main changes introduced under the Draft Order concern (i) a change of the grid connection process applicable to power-generation

Deals January 2024

Kinstellar advises Evelixon Trading in two transactions in the Serbian wind power sector

Kinstellar advised Evelixon Trading Limited on the acquisition of a 100% share in the project company Grand Wind Park from Windvision Serbia Holding. The project, known as the WN NBT WIND 1 wind farm, is currently in the early stages of development. Located in the city of Pančevo, the farm is planned to have an installed power capacity of 120 MW. Evelixon Trading Limited has a few projects in their portfolio in Serbia in the early stages of development or nearing "ready-to-build" status. Kinstellar’s team provided comprehensive legal advice throughout the transaction – performing a legal due diligence, drafting the transaction documents - including the SPA, and assisting with the signing and closing processes.

Insights January 2024

Attention, Real Estate Developers and Energy Professionals in Hungary! The legal framework of the world behind the meter has arrived!

As of 1 January 2024, material amendments to several Hungarian energy laws have come into effect, including, among others, the Hungarian Electricity Act (Act LXXXVI of 2007), which has been significantly changed. These changes materially affect decentralised (local) power generation, which has been a focus of the real estate industry in recent times. Below we provide an overview of the main changes in Hungary that may facilitate local power generation, storage, and procurement from electricity sources other than power traders. The long-awaited change to the concept of a private power distribution line (in Hungarian: magánvezeték), based on the EU’s definition of a “closed distribution system,” ensures the appropriate

Deals December 2023

Kinstellar advises Chinese investors on Serbian wind farm venture

Kinstellar has successfully advised Chinese investors CMC Capital, a member of China National Technical Import and Export Corporation group (“CNTIC”), and Shanghai Electric Power & Energy Development Limited (“SEP”) on the acquisition of 100% of the shares in Crni Vrh Power d.o.o., a project company developing a 150 MW onshore wind farm in the eastern Serbian municipalities of Bor, Žagubica, and Majdanpek. The Crni Vrh wind farm was purchased "ready-to-build"—which means that all essential permits and land rights were secured prior to the start of the construction phase, which includes 28 wind turbines. With this acquisition, CNTIC and SEP have entered Serbia’s renewable energy sources (RES)

Insights November 2023

Slovakia: Subsidies for the construction of Renewable Energy Sources

Are you considering building your own Renewable Energy Source ("RES") in order to reduce your electricity costs, comply with internal ESG policies, or for any other reason? If so, you may find this overview of currently available subsidies to entrepreneurs in Slovakia for the construction of RES helpful. Currently, there are two opened calls for the submission of applications for state aid in the total amount of EUR 94,554,298. We provide an overview of key information on such aid below. Overview Call   Call for the submission of applications for funds from the Recovery and Resilience Facility to support the construction of new facilities for the production

Deals November 2023

Kinstellar advises PowerChina on the acquisition of a 300 MW wind farm in Serbia

Kinstellar has successfully advised PowerChina on the acquisition of a majority shareholding interest (51%) in Vetrozelena, a project company developing a 300 MW wind farm in Serbia under a RtB (ready to build) model. The Vetrozelena project is a 48-turbine wind farm located in Pančevo, in the autonomous province of Vojvodina in the northern part Serbia. The deal, which was signed in April 2023 and closed in November 2023, is currently the largest acquisition in the Serbian renewables sector. With this transaction, PowerChina further broadens its worldwide reach by entering the Serbian renewable energy sector. The seller was CWP Europe, a joint venture between the renewable energy investor CWP Global and the

Insights November 2023

Renewable Energy – Simplified legislation in favour of national interest projects and state entities in Romania

On Friday 27 October 2023, GEO 91/2023, regarding certain measures related to the exercise of the state's public and private property rights, as well as the efficient administration of state properties and the amendment of some normative acts (“GEO 91/2023”), entered into force. Among others, by means of GEO 91/2023, long-criticised measures that substantially favour state entities and national interest projects have been enacted.  The main amendments brought by GEO 91/2023 with potential high impact on the renewable energy sector: It is now easier for state entities to develop projects located outside a buildable area for surfaces exceeding 50 ha and for national

News October 2023

Energy sector expert Balázs Tomaj joins Kinstellar’s Budapest office 

Kinstellar is delighted to announce that Balázs Tomaj, a seasoned legal practitioner in Hungary’s energy sector, has joined the firm’s Budapest office as a Senior Counsel. With a longstanding and notable career in the energy sector, Balázs brings a wealth of experience and knowledge, further enhancing the firm’s capabilities to serve its clients in this ever-evolving sector. With over 15 years at the largest Hungarian energy companies and law firms, Balázs has established himself as a trusted legal expert in the field. His deep understanding of energy regulations and industry trends is an invaluable asset for our firm and our clients. He will play a leading role in strengthening our capabilities in the energy

Insights September 2023

EU publishes new regulation on alternative fuel infrastructure

At the end of September, the long-awaited Regulation (EU) 2023/1804) on the deployment of alternative fuel infrastructure, and repealing Directive 2014/94/EU (“AFIR”) was published in the Official Journal of the European Union. Though the entry into force of AFIR is 13 April 2024, it is worth reviewing the key takeaways that the AFIR introduces as part of the EU’s Fit for 55 package.   The AFIR sets binding national targets for the development of adequate EU alternative fuel infrastructure. The new regulation also establishes common technical specifications and requirements regarding the information to vehicle users for the provision of data and payment requirements. The AFIR includes detailed regulations regarding