New perspectives in the area of PPA
In an article five years ago where OEBERGS celebrated a ranking in Chambers, Senior Partner Björn Öberg asked contemplatively “where do we go from here?“ and concluded that “while we think about that, we will do our best to stay on top.” Half a decade later, OEBERGS has not only stayed on top, but has ascended a new high point. OEBERGS is now not only the leading law firm in Sweden in the area of Power Purchase Agreements (PPA). Studies also show that Sweden ranks first in Europe in PPA volume. OEBERGS is hence proud to be one of the leading European law firms in the area of PPA.
The natural question from this is: “where do we go from here?”. Nils Karlsson Green, one of OEBERGS’ most experienced associates, gives his views on the matter:
How have you gathered your expertise in PPA to reach this point?
I have been lucky to work in an advantageous learning environment. I am both surrounded by experienced senior associates and by knowledgeable clients who truly understand the energy market and who set high expectations on performance. Through several large and complex projects, my knowledge of PPAs has increased rapidly.
Why do you think that Sweden is so far ahead of other European countries in PPA volume by country of origin (Sweden: 1142 MW, UK: 884 MW)?
I think that large co-operations want to secure access to renewable energy, and seek to fix the price as a security to the electricity spot price. Sweden is a natural choice since there is a large amount of installed wind power and many new projects are under development here. Investors continuously points to the fact that Sweden offers a stable political and regulatory environment suitable for long-term investments.
What role models do you learn from in the area of PPA?
I learn from experienced co-workers and from our from our clients’ pursuits of perfection and certitude. I have also followed the recent development on the international market which I find very exciting - particularly Google’s and Amazon’s recent quests to become the word’s largest purchasers of renewable energy. During these projects, they have entered a new dimension of PPA, both in amounts invested and in energy generated.
How would you like to further enhance your expertise in Power Purchase Agreements?
I strive to enhance my expertise by learning from good examples, and by staying attentive to feedback from clients. One particular point is to develop standard PPAs for certain customers. This makes a lot of sense as it drives down transaction costs.
What advice would you like to give to other legal associates who would like to develop their skills in PPA?
I would advice them to stay curious and to be observant of the projects that are taking place. We are currently in a very interesting, fast-paced era of PPA, where the interest in the renewable energy market in Sweden is soaring. To give clients the most sophisticated and relevant legal advice, the key is to be well-informed about what is happening in the world around us, and to know beforehand what clients expect and are entitled to.
Advokatfirman OEBERGS would like to thank clients and partners for their confidence, which has allowed us to reach proficiency in PPA. As we are entering into an era where international tech giants are discovering the Swedish energy market, we are curious of what will happen in 2020. While we think about that, we will do our best to stay on top.