Energy & Industry
The Energy Agreement, the Paris climate agreement and developments in technology are dominating the energy sector. Houthoff’s experienced Energy & Industry Team identifies the commercial opportunities that these changes bring. Investments in wind and solar energy, biorefining and large-scale energy storage are all here to stay. CO2 emissions have to be reduced, which means that production processes need to be more efficient. This requires significant investment on the part of the industry. Houthoff is recognised nationally and internationally within the sector and helps energy companies, government bodies, manufacturers, investors and large energy consumers make smart and successful energy decisions. In that respect, our Energy & Industry Team is a market leader when it comes to sustainable energy.
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“One client mentioned: 'We commend Houthoff lawyers for their approach at being commercial in their dexterity at problem solving which is required for large and complex transactions'.”Chambers Europe, Energy & Natural Resources (2024 Edition) -
“One client stated: 'We were satisfied with Houthoff's expertise, they managed their cases very well, were always available, punctual, highly knowledgeable and present themselves well'.”Chambers Europe, Energy & Natural Resources (2024 Edition)
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"A client says: 'The team shows strong performance, and is pragmatic and very responsive'."
Chambers Europe, Energy & Natural Resources (2023 Edition) -
RecommendedChambers Europe, Energy & Natural Resources (2023 Edition)
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"One client mentioned: ‘Excellent team with first-rate industry knowledge'."Legal 500, Energy: Regulatory (2023 Edition)
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"One client said: ‘Very clear in their suggestions and explanations. Quick and clear answers. Very detailed revisions and recommendations. High collaboration and involved with the teams and project'."Legal 500, Energy: Regulatory (2023 Edition)
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“A client comments that ‘Houthoff has experts of high quality in every field of law and is my go-to adviser in case of complex legal issues and projects in the Netherlands’.”Chambers Europe, Energy & Natural Resources (2022 Edition)
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“A client states ‘We had very comprehensive support from the Houthoff team in relation to our commercial business’.”Legal 500, Energy: Transactional (2022 Edition)
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“Clients stress the practice’s scope, one referring to ‘the breadth the team can cover.’”Chambers Europe, Energy & Natural Resources: Regulatory & Transactional (2021 Edition)
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“Very competent team.”Legal 500, Energy: Regulatory (2021 Edition)
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“Seasoned team, holding strong industry wide expertise providing support in all dimensions.”Legal 500, Energy: Transactional (2021 Edition)
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“Speedy product delivery, good availability, accuracy, solution-driven, understand clients’ desires and excellent tactical skills.”Legal 500, Energy: Transactional (2021 Edition)
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“A client greatly appreciates the team’s ‘pragmatic and business-oriented approach, in combination with thorough experience.’”Chambers Europe, Energy & Natural Resources: Regulatory & Transactional (2020 Edition)
Our expertise in the energy sector
M&A transactions in both the oil and gas industry and the sustainable energy sector often have complex structures. Houthoff advises multinationals, private equity firms, government bodies and other parties on transactions in the energy market. Businesses in the niche 'waste-to-energy' market benefit from in-depth, full-service knowledge of the regulatory framework – specialist knowledge that can be found within our Energy & Industry Team. The team also act as advisers for a wide range of matters within this niche. The Netherlands is creating more and more opportunities for innovative wind projects. Our energy specialists have gained a key position in this context, assisting both developers and financiers of large wind projects.
Energy sector regulation is hinged on a mix of public and private law. Therefore, our Energy & Industry Team includes specialists on energy law, planning and zoning law, economic administrative law, environmental law, M&A, procedural law (including cassation), procurement law, criminal law and competition law. Our unrivalled track record in the energy sector is a testament to our sector knowledge. We not only deliver the highest quality, but always look beyond the problem and offer our clients solutions that will stand them in good stead for the future.
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Advised Corre Energy B.V. ("Corre Energy") on the establishment of a 50/50 joint venture cooperation with SemperPower B.V. ("SemperPower") for the realisation of one of the largest battery storage facilities in Europe, located at the Zuidwending site in the Netherlands.
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Advising Porthos Development C.V., an EBN, Gasunie and Port of Rotterdam partnership, which aims to construct and operate the first large-scale, commercial, open access offshore carbon capture and storage (CCS) facility in the Netherlands.
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Advised DCC plc / Benegas on the purchase of all outstanding shares in the Share capital of Isolatiespecialsit.nl Holding B.V.
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Advised Alliander N.V.'s shareholders regarding reaching consensus on the 'Framework of Agreements on Capital Requirements of Regional Grid Operators'.
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Advised a subsidiary of DCC plc on its acquisition of all the shares in PVO International B.V. (PVO).
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Advised Ariston Holding N.V on the acquisition of CENTROTEC Climate Systems GmbH.
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Advised Porthos Development C.V. on the transfer by TAQA to Porthos of a mining installation and related permits for the storage of CO2 in empty gas fields in the North Sea.
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Advised and acted for Huntsman, successfully defending against claims brought by Ducor Petrochemicals in (appeal) proceedings before the Trade and Industry Appeals Tribunal (College van Beroep voor het bedrijfsleven) regarding regulatory issues relating to Huntsman's closed distribution system for electricity.
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Advised a consortium of sellers, including Van Oord Offshore Wind B.V., Investri Offshore B.V. and Green Tower B.V., on the sale of their shares in the Borssele V wind farm to Octopus Energy Generation.
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Advised CGN Europe Energy SAS on its sale of all shares in Windpark De Hondtocht B.V. and Oldebroekertocht B.V. to the group companies of Pure Energie B.V.
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Advised Ariston Holding N.V., a global player in sustainable comfort solutions for hot water and space heating with the initial public offering of its ordinary shares to certain institutional investors and admission to listing and trading of its ordinary shares on Euronext Milan.
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Assisted Corre Energy B.V. with its plans to raise EUR 10 million through an initial public offering on Euronext Dublin.
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Advised Kensington Capital Acquisition Corp. II, a NYSE-listed special purpose acquisition company, on the merger agreement with Wallbox and Wallbox's listing as a Dutch N.V. on NYSE through the merger.
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Advised Vermeer Corporation on its acquisition of the electric-powered horizontal directional drilling (HDD) and fluid systems technology from Normag.
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Advised Siemens with its acquisition of Culgi. Culgi provides expertise and develops software solutions for multiscale chemistry simulation, from quantum chemistry to molecular dynamics.
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Advised the Nuclear Research and Consultancy Group Foundation (NRG) on the sale of its 100% interest in ECN Wind Energy Facilities B.V. and its 50% indirect interest in ECN Windturbine Testpark Wieringermeer C.V. to CIC EWEF B.V., the newly established Dutch subsidiary of Connected Infrastructure Capital GmbH (CIC).
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Houthoff advised Petrobras Global Trading B.V. on a USD 3,250,000,000 revolving loan and letter of credit facility agreement between Petrobras Global Trading B.V. as borrower, Petro;leo Brasileiro S.A.; Petrobras as guarantor, Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank as the administrative agent and The Bank of Nova Scotia, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and Mizuho Bank, Ltd as joint bookrunners and joint lead arrangers.
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Houthoff assisted Royal IHC in the sale of its subsidiary Vremac Cylinders to Vydraulics. Vremac Cylinders is a modern designer and manufacturer of hydraulic cylinders, swivels and piston accumulators. Its products are designed to operate in harsh conditions in the dredging, offshore, civil engineering (bridges and lock gates) and heavy machinery markets.
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Advised Vivo Energy on a transaction with Engen which adds operations in eight new countries and 230 Engen-branded service stations to Vivo Energy's network.
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Advised Vitol on its agreement with IFM Investors to acquire Buckeye Partners' 50% equity interest in VTTI, the leading global independent provider of energy storage. After completion, VTTI will be owned 50% by IFM Investors and 50% by Vitol.
