Ward Hadaway advises on Durham renewables scheme
26th October, 2015
A TEAM of lawyers from Ward Hadaway have advised one of the UK’s leading biogas project operators on the development of a renewable energy scheme in Durham.
The project at Hope House near Sedgefield has been developed by JFS Associates Ltd in conjunction with City financiers, and will convert agricultural waste and materials into renewable heat and power, supporting the UK’s commitment to low carbon energy production.
Ward Hadaway’s Energy Team, recently ranked number one in the North by independent legal guide Legal 500, provided legal advice to JFS Associates on the project, including advice from specialist property, finance, construction and commercial lawyers.
Peter Johnson, director of JFS, said: “The completion of the Hope House development adds a further project to our growing portfolio of energy schemes across the country.
“We were pleased to be supported by the Ward Hadaway team, who again have demonstrated their professionalism, commerciality, industry knowledge, and strong work ethic.
“We look forward to working with the team at Ward Hadaway as we continue to grow our business in new markets and ventures.”
The multi-million pound project will support jobs within Newcastle and Durham, both during the construction phase, and also across the operating life of the project.
From the middle of next year, the scheme will generate enough renewable energy to supply more than 500 households annually, and will divert farmyard wastes and provide green fertilizer for farming activities in the region.
Mark Whitehead, Head of the Energy Team at Ward Hadaway, led the firm’s team advising on the project.
Mark said: “The Hope House project represented a fantastic opportunity to work with a dynamic and growing client in the Northern energy market.
“Our team was able to deliver significant value to the project by drawing on our expertise of equity funded development projects of this nature.
“Our knowledge of the sector, and understanding of funder’s requirements meant that we were able to deploy our resource quickly and effectively to provide focused support to both the developer and the London-based financier, ensuring that the scheme completed in the shortest possible timeframe. “
Aside from working with JFS on multiple biogas schemes, Ward Hadaway’s Energy Team has been very busy throughout 2015 supporting various clients across the energy sector in connection with numerous transactions.
The team has worked with several developers and funders regarding wind, solar and biogas projects, has advised various clients on a raft of energy efficiency and capital improvement schemes and has supported network operators and retailers in connection with energy sector business.
Mark Whitehead said: “This is certainly a busy time for the Energy Team and we have been involved with a wide range of different projects and developments during the course of the year.
“The recent confirmation from Legal 500 of our leading position in the North when it comes to legal advice in the energy field underlines our belief that we are the adviser of choice for energy sector clients.”
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