Hydrogen Energy Lawyers, Global Law Firm

Clean hydrogen has the potential to be a key part of the global effort to implement the Paris Agreement. If current challenges to price, scale and transport are overcome, clean hydrogen will change the way we generate, store, transport and consume energy, as well as replace fossil fuel-based feedstocks in certain industrial processes. In doing so, it will help the world decarbonise 50% percent of the economy that green electric power cannot reach.

We are working with clients to identify and overcome the initial challenges posed in the creation of the clean hydrogen ecosystem and to take from "PowerPoint to reality" transactions in the upstream, midstream and downstream sectors of the nascent green hydrogen value chain.

Recent client highlights

H2OK, Oklahoma: advised Woodside Energy in the development of the H2OK Hydrogen Project located in Oklahoma. The project is expected to produce up to 60 tonnes per day of liquid hydrogen. Power for the project will be sourced from the Oklahoma gas and electric grid a large portion of which is wind-power, and Renewable Energy Certificates will be used to abate any remaining emissions.*
Hy2Gen, Germany: advised Technip Energies NV, a leading Engineering & Technology company for the energy transition listed at Euronext Paris, as strategic investor on the successful participation in a EUR 200 million investment round for Hy2gen AG, the green hydrogen investment platform based in Wiesbaden, Germany.

* Matters completed by Jonathan Castelan at a previous firm.

HyDeal Ambition, Europe and HyDeal North America: i) Advised on a clean hydrogen consultation platform to develop consensus among almost fifty stakeholders on the upstream, midstream and downstream aspects of a green H2 project spanning three EU countries.
ii) Advised on a consultation platform established by the Green Hydrogen Coalition on with the aim to build supply chains to deliver green hydrogen at large scale to the Los Angeles basin by 2030.
Department of Energy, US: Advised the Loan Programs Office (DOE LPO) on a US$504.4 million loan guarantee for the Advanced Clean Energy Storage Project, an innovative clean hydrogen production and storage facility capable of providing long-term seasonal energy storage.

Early stage hydrogen project, Australia: Advised a fund in relation to an early stage hydrogen project in the Northern Territory of Australia.
Electrolyser JV, Europe: Advised a global supplier of industrial and specialty gases for the creation of a joint venture with a contractor/supplier for the development, production and sale of electrolysers on gigawatt scale in the EU.
Green Hydrogen, North Africa: Advised a solar power developer/investor in the project development and financing of the production of green hydrogen in a North African country via a hybrid (wind/solar) power solution for the production of green ammonia to be used both as a feedstock in local fertiliser production and for export.

Our insights

Low-carbon H2 supply chain subsidy in Japan

Japan is promoting international supply chains for low-carbon hydrogen and derivatives. This briefing summarises some key aspects of the proposed supply chain subsidy based on discussion materials published by the Japanese government up to 31 July 2024.

Find out more about Low-carbon H2 supply chain subsidy in Japan

Navigating Morocco's New Policy

The Morocco Offer (l'Offre Maroc) is the most significant step forward to date for the green hydrogen sector in Morocco and covers the entire green hydrogen value chain. The Moroccan Government announced this long-awaited framework in March 2024. The Morocco Offer responds to the increasing interest of investors and will leverage investment to drive employment and economic development. It focuses on development both horizontally (the full value chain from green power production to value-added manufacture of hydrogen derivative products) and vertically (the development of industries consuming hydrogen or hydrogen derivative products in Morocco).

Find out more about Navigating Morocco's New Policy

Energy Transition Trends 2024

The energy transition requires a massive and increased rate of investment from both the public and the private sectors. Here we explore some trends which will shape the year ahead, focusing on the innovations and legal developments that we are seeing in clean hydrogen, carbon capture and storage, green fuels, carbon pricing, digital transformation, innovative finance and incentives to mobilise capital.

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Clean Hydrogen Tax Credit Proposed Regulations: A Focus on the "Three Pillars"

This Client Alert provides a brief overview of Section 45V of Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the "Code") and highlights the most important elements of the Proposed Rules – the calculation of lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions. Future client alerts will address other aspects of the Proposed Rules.

Find out more about Clean Hydrogen Tax Credit Proposed Regulations: A Focus on the "Three Pillars"

Focus on hydrogen: Romania's hydrogen strategy – A key component of the energy transition roadmap

In this briefing, experts consider the key proposals of the Strategy, noting that the draft is out for public consultation and that some changes may be made to reflect market feedback. The deadline for responses was 20 June 2023.

Find out more about Focus on hydrogen: Romania's hydrogen strategy – A key component of the energy transition roadmap

The European Hydrogen Bank

One of the first measures announced by the European Commission President von der Leyen, in her September 2022 State of the Union speech, was the creation of a new European Hydrogen Bank (EHB). Six months later, in March 2023, as part of the EU Green Deal Industrial Plan, the European Commission (the Commission) has released a Communication on the EHB to stimulate and support investment in sustainable hydrogen production.

Find out more about The European Hydrogen Bank