energy

Energy

Kelemenis & Co. has a long and recognized presence in the energy sector, providing legal support on transactional and regulatory issues across the energy spectrum. It advises businesses, investors, public organizations and institutional bodies on energy production, supply and transmission projects and on investments and corporate transactions. The firm also has robust experience in the regulation and liberalization of energy markets and has participated in numerous projects to approximate national legislation of several countries with the EU energy acquis.

Kelemenis & Co. has indeed an impressive track record of working with authorities and organizations, such as the European Commission, the World Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the Energy Community Secretariat, as well as with the energy regulators in Greece, North Macedonia, Serbia, Ukraine and Egypt, with the Ministries of Energy in Greece, Romania, Moldova, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina, with Greek institutional players such as IPTO (ADMIE), HEDNO (DEDDIE) and DEPA, and corporate heavyweights such as Chevron and General Electric.

The firm’s expertise includes:

Alignment with the European Energy Acquis

  • Alignment with EU energy law, policy and regulatory developments
  • Design and implementation of national legislative and regulatory frameworks
  • Regulatory policy advisory and institutional reforms
  • Legislative gap analysis, harmonisation/legal approximation and drafting
  • Technical assistance and capacity building
  • Public consultations, stakeholder engagement and policy design

Regulatory and Licensing Framework

  • Advising on compliance with Greek and EU energy law, including ongoing market reforms
  • Structuring and securing licences and permits for complex energy projects
  • Managing regulatory risk in a rapidly evolving Greek energy landscape
  • Acting before regulatory and administrative authorities

Energy Projects

  • Advising on the development of RES projects across all stages
  • Drafting and negotiating construction, EPC and O&M agreements
  • Structuring grid connection and capacity allocation arrangements (ΑΔΜΗΕ / ΔΕΔΔΗΕ)
  • Navigating environmental permitting and spatial planning regimes, including fast-track procedures

Energy Markets & Target Model

  • Advising on participation in the Greek Target Model (DAM, IDM, BM) and organised markets
  • Structuring market, balancing and system operator arrangements (HEnEx / ADMIE)
  • Ensuring compliance with REMIT and applicable transparency obligations

Energy Contracts & Trading

  • Drafting and negotiating energy supply and gas agreements under Greek law
  • Structuring bankable PPAs, including corporate and virtual arrangements
  • Advising on LNG, gas infrastructure and new market developments (including FSRUs)

Investments & Transactions (Energy M&A / Project Finance)

  • Conducting legal due diligence on energy and infrastructure assets in Greece
  • Advising on acquisitions, disposals and joint ventures in the energy sector
  • Structuring project finance transactions and bankable investment frameworks
  • Drafting and negotiating financing and security documentation

Public Policy & Regulatory Developments

  • Advising on legislative and regulatory developments, with ongoing monitoring of the Greek energy market

Energy Storage & New Technologies

  • Advising on the regulatory framework for storage and hybrid projects in Greece
  • Supporting investments in emerging technologies, including hydrogen and offshore wind

Disputes & Energy Arbitration

  • Representing clients in energy and infrastructure disputes under Greek law
  • Handling regulatory appeals before authorities and administrative courts
  • Acting in arbitration and alternative dispute resolution proceedings

Representative Clients

Greek Distribution System Operator (DEDDIE), Greek Transmission System Operator (ADMIE), Athens Water Supply and Sewerage Company (EYDAP), Electricity Market Operator (LAGIE), Centre for Renewable Energy Sources and Saving (CRES), Public Gas Corporation (DEPA), EBRD, European Union, World Bank, Energy Community Secretariat, SEE-CAO, Greek Ministry of Energy (YPEKA), European Agency of Reconstruction (EAR), Greek Regulatory of Energy (RAE), Serbian Energy Regulator (AERS), Albanian Transmission System Operator (OST), Energy Regulatory Authority of North Macedonia (ERA), Ukrainian Energy Regulatory Authority (NEURC), Egyptian Energy Regulatory Authority (EgyptERA), Ministries of Energy (Bosnia & Herzegovina), Ministry of Economy (Moldova), Ministry of Economy (Georgia), Chevron, Shanghai Electric Group Co, North China Power Engineering, IGI Poseidon, World Fuel, Veolia, U.S. Energy Stream, Smart Energies, Petrogaz, Origis, Nanodomi, General Electric, HAFCO, Petrolina, Helios Strategia, MMT, Eco Atlantic (Oil & Gas), Kinergy Power, Endesa, Alectris, Alstom, Bulgarian Energy Holding (BEH), Abo Wind, Euro Energy, Gulf Perlite, SunPower, Sunray, Statkraft, Granite, Aegean Power, Osaka Gas, Southern Coal Corporation, Protergia

Representative Clients

Greek Power Market Operator (LAGIE), Greek Transmission System Operator (TSO), Public Gas Corporation (DEPA), Greek Ministry of Energy, Endesa, Sunpower, Veolia, Statkraft, Protergia, Southern Coal, Energy Community Secretariat (Vienna), Osaka Gas, Coordinated Auction Office of Southeast Europe (SEE-CAO), Chevron/Texaco, General Electric, Centre for Renewable Energy Sources (CRES), Greek Regulatory Authority of Energy (RAE).

Chambers Europe 2013 says:

With a strong energy focus since its inception, this firm continues to be highly regarded for its transactional and regulatory advice to both public and private entities. Recently, the team assisted the system operator of PPC with regulatory and litigation proceedings. Other clients include DEPA, Endesa and Veolia.

Chambers Europe 2012 says:

This dynamic team has strong performance and excellent market feedback. The seven-member group covers all aspects of energy law, and has a particularly strong reputation for its regulatory practice. It works with national and international investors, as well as drafting the new law transposing EU directives into Greek legislation for the Greek Ministry of Energy and Environment in 2011. Other clients include major domestic and international corporates such as the Greek Public Gas Corporation (DEPA), Endesa, Veolia and Chevron.

Sources say: “Excellent in terms of quality of the work and very solid knowledge of European legislation and how to implement it in Greece.” “A smooth collaboration, the team anticipates your needs and gives realistic deadlines.”

Yannis Kelemenis has made a strong name for himself in this field, especially on mandates relating to wind farms and solar plants. He is praised across the board, with sources commenting: “His involvement in energy is very intimate and his knowledge is excellent. He is one of the experts on energy.” Konstantina Soultati has “solid knowledge of the subject and also the skill to develop new orientation and new alternatives”, according to interviewees. Clients appreciate her “extremely helpful and well-informed” advice.

Legal 500 2012 says:

Yannis Kelemenis and Ioanna Lazaridou at Kelemenis & Co. are both well regarded for their energy work, whether it be on renewables or oil, gas and power. The firm has helped the Greek Ministry for Energy and the Environment on the drafting of EU-compliant Greek electricity and natural gas legislation. Sunpower and the DEPA are also clients.

Legal 500 2011 says:

Kelemenis & Co. is “an up-and-coming firm with an excellent reputation in energy”, with name partner Yannis Kelemenis displaying “strong depth and variety of energy expertise”. It handles corporate, regulatory and contentious matters for General Electric and has been advising Endesa Hellas on the construction of a thermal power plant.

Practice Areas