Energy

Energy professionals do not believe that Ireland will meet it target to create 5GW of new offshore wind by 2030, according to a new survey by Mason Hayes & Curran. The business law firm polled nearly 200 industry professionals at its annual energy conference, this year taking place in Cork, and

The Irish and UK governments have signed two memorandums of understanding aimed at increasing co-operation for developing offshore renewable energy, exploring further electricity interconnection opportunities and enhancing security of gas supplies. The first memorandum on Cooperation in the Energy T

Business law firm Mason Hayes & Curran has expanded its energy sector team with the appointment of Rob McDwyer as partner. Mr McDwyer brings more than 22 years of local and international experience to the role, with deep and varied expertise in renewable energy and infrastructure law.

Draft legislation providing for a cap on the market revenues of certain electricity producers, expected to net between €80 million and €150 million for the State, has been published. The Energy (Windfall Gains in the Energy Sector) (Cap on Market Revenues) Bill forms part of the government

Finance minister Michael McGrath and journalist/author Simon Mundy have been named as the keynote speakers of an upcoming Mason Hayes & Curran conference on energy investment in Ireland. The Future of Energy Investment in Ireland will take place at The Clayton Hotel in Cork on Thursday 14 Septem

Plans for a series of new electricity interconnectors between Ireland and its neighbours will help tackle high energy prices and deliver on key climate goals, according to Pinsent Masons. In a policy statement published last month, the Irish government outlined proposals for a series of interconnect

The new Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA) has been officially launched by ministers, marking a significant milestone in the State's stewardship of the maritime area including plans for renewable offshore energy development. The newly-established authority will be responsible for regulating d

Ireland will be years off meeting its offshore renewable energy targets because of judicial reviews, costly appeals and planning delays, a new report from international law firm Clark Hill warns. "As matters stand, we believe Ireland will not deliver on its 2030 targets of 5GW of offshore wind produ

Despite plans for an EU withdrawal from the Energy Charter Treaty, a failure to deal with its sunset clause will continue to threaten action on the climate emergency, argues Eoin Jackson. On 7th July 2023, the European Commission announced its intention to facilitate a co-ordinated withdrawal of the

Legislation providing for a windfall tax on massive profits in the energy sector has been published. The Energy (Windfall Gains in the Energy Sector) (Temporary Solidarity Contribution) Bill 2023 provides for a "temporary solidarity contribution" on windfall gains made in 2022 and 2023 by the fossil

The new Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA) will be established in July, the government has announced. After its establishment on 17 July 2023, the new agency will have responsibility for assessing applications for maritime area consents (MACs) which will be required before developers of offsh

Ireland must withdraw from the discredited Energy Charter Treaty, argues Eoin Jackson. In February 2023, a leaked communication from the European Commission signalled that a collective EU withdrawal from the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT) appeared "unavoidable". This follows on from announcements from

A bursary established in memory of the late Arthur Cox partner Niamh Burke will be awarded this year to Sean Murphy from Cavan and Karin Mackey from Mullinahone, Co Tipperary. The Niamh Burke Memorial Bursary fosters and supports study and research in the field of renewable energy. It annually award

Legislation providing for a windfall tax on massive profits in the energy sector has moved forward with the government's approval of the general scheme. The Energy (Windfall Gains in the Energy Sector) Bill 2023 will introduce a "temporary solidarity contribution" based on taxable profits in the fos

Mason Hayes & Curran LLP has been named Leading Legal/Financial Consultancy of the Year at the 2023 Irish Wind Industry Awards. Sponsored by SSE Renewables, the awards celebrate the very best within the Irish wind industry and the commitment of key stakeholders to cutting carbon emissions and ma