Leading commercial lawyers Warners have launched a new division to cement its credentials as a talented and highly innovative team serving the legal needs of the rapidly growing energy sector in Scotland.

The creation of Ennova Renewable Energy Law comes as Warners Commercial has seen demand for its specialist ‘green’ services grow – the division is currently involved in a range of renewables projects for clients that will potentially provide a combined output of in excess of 500 megawatts of power.

The firm is predicting the success of Ennova will see the renewable energy sector account for a significant part of Warners Commercial business in the next 12 months.

Ennova will offer a Partner-led service, with the division comprising three partners – Bill Gibson, Ross Kennedy and John Cumming - a consultant, two solicitors and support staff, as well as the scope to draw on other expertise in Warners Commercial.

Bill Gibson said the single focus of Ennova is to service the legal needs of everyone within the renewables sector in Scotland and the UK.

He said: “Energy development and the intelligent and efficient use of renewable energy is now of vital importance to everyone in Scotland.

“Ennova aims to provide key support and advice to anyone with an interest in the renewables sector, whether that’s a landowner, investor, funder, utility service provider, developer, local authority or government body.”

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“While the creation of the Ennova brand is new, the reality is that we have been working with clients in the renewables market for a number of years.

“Many of our clients have been among the first early adopters of renewable energy projects. That’s meant we have been growing our knowledge of the often complex and comprehensive legal aspects of the sector for a considerable time.”

Bill added: “Warners Commercial also enjoys a well established commercial property core which allows it to be superbly positioned to progress the technical scope of renewable projects.

“The final part of the package is that the service is Partner-led, and this is all the more impressive when you factor in the team can boast more than 100 years collective experience of commercial law.”

Ennova, which now co-ordinates Warners Commercial’s established experience in wind, water, solar, waste and biomass energy production, offers legal advice on all aspects of renewable and energy law, particularly land options and leases to secure land options, land development diligence, planning, utility contract negotiations and power agreements, funding, construction and project management.

Ennova is also able to link in with professionals and consultants from other disciplines supporting the energy sector, such as surveying and specialist energy consultancies, banking, private finance planning, to ensure the successful delivery of a project.

Bill added that Ennova’s boutique structure means it is ideally equipped to work with any individual or organisation looking to develop a renewables project as well as offering its expertise to English based legal firms who may be reluctant to act on behalf of clients in Scotland because of the specialist nature of Scots property law.

He added: “Ennova offers a dynamic and talented team to progress any renewables project in Scotland. We are all about proven expertise matched with accessibility.

“That means we are equally happy to hear from a small landowner who wants to know how to create a scheme to sell into the national grid or investment house who wants to invest in packaged products for multiple renewable energy investment opportunities.

“We are currently working with a number of parties in investigating and progressing land option agreements for renewable project at sites across Scotland.

“With both tight local government renewable energy targets and utility providers being encouraged to adopt renewable energy, the sector can only go in one direction. That’s where we believe Ennova can play a vital role in supporting any energy project from the drawing board to reality.”

(GK)