Energy - Renewables & Climate

Recent Articles

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  25/04/2024

  Hungary

  Hungary’s amended ESG Act to enter into force on 25 April 2024

  The following is a summary of the key changes made to Hungary’s ESG Act.Standardised ESG questionnaireCompanies may find it difficult to collect and analyse ESG data in light of the numerous questionnaires to assess sustainability risks, investments, access to finance and supply chains. In practice, these questionnaires vary in scope, depth and information standards, and are challenging to complete, and non-compliance can result in loss of resources and business relationships.As a result, the amendment introduces a single uniform questionnaire for Hungarian companies to report ESG-related...

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  17/04/2024

  Scotland

  Bioenergy in Scotland – Scottish Government’s Draft Policy Statement focusses on sustainability and resilience

  IntroductionThe Scottish Government (“SG”) has launched a consultation on its draft Bioenergy Policy (the “SG Bioenergy Policy”), with responses to be submitted by 12th June 2024. This article provides a brief overview of the SG Bioenergy Policy’s main features and how it compares with its counterpart, the “Biomass Policy Statement” which was published by the UK Government in November 2021, subsequently laying the foundation for the Biomass Strategy released in 2023.BackgroundThe draft SG Bioenergy Policy sets out the role SG envisages bioenergy playing...

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  08/04/2024

  Hungary

  Hungary proposes ex-ante competition tool to regulate essential companies

  On 2 April 2024, the Hungarian Ministry of Justice submitted an omnibus act to the Hungarian parliament proposing the amendment of several Hungarian laws, including the Competition Act. This Proposal’s most noteworthy element is – based on the German example – expanding the Hungarian Competition Authority’s (HCA) toolbox by introducing a new ex-ante regime enabling the HCA to impose obligations on certain companies without first having to demonstrate a violation of the law.This following article summarises the Proposal’s new rules, potential consequences and next steps.PROPOSED...

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  03/04/2024

  Bulgaria

  Bulgaria supports wind and storage projects with New Grid Connection Ordinance

  Following the recent legislative amendments in the Energy Act and the Energy from Renewable Sources Act of 2023 and 2024, the Energy and Water Regulatory Commission adopted a new Ordinance No. 6 on the connection of energy sites to the grids of 28 March 2024 (the “New Ordinance”).The changes in the New Ordinance mainly relate to: (i) introduction of new rules for grid connection rules of storage facilities; (ii) amendments of the current grid connection procedure for RES producers such as securing a grid connection opinion solely on the grounds of in rem rights, removal of the firm...

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  03/04/2024

  Ukraine

  Register of Damage for Ukraine is open for claims submission

  On 2 April 2024, the Register of Damage for Ukraine opened the claims submission process for compensation for damage, loss or injury caused by Russian aggression against Ukraine. The launch took place as part of the Ministerial Conference "Restoring Justice for Ukraine" co-hosted by the Netherlands, Ukraine and the European Commission at the World Forum in The Hague.As a reminder, the official website of the Register of Damage for Ukraine was launched on 4 March 2024. The website contains the following:documents governing the work of the Register;answers to frequently asked questions on the Register’s...

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  19/03/2024

  Hungary

  Hungary adopts new regulations on occupational Safety and Health fines and administration

  The Hungarian parliament recently adopted amendments to certain government regulations on occupational matters, and new government regulations on the detailed rules for the amount and imposition of occupational safety and health (OSH) fines, which entered into force on 1 March 2024. The amendments to the government regulations were necessary to ensure consistency between the legislation.The following article summarises these changes.1. Government Decree No 24/2024 (II.14.) amending certain Government Decrees on employmentAmendment to Government Decree No. 320/2014 (XII.13.) on the designation of...

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