Europe: Energy and Natural Resources

Hidroelektrik santraller (HES), fosil yakıtlara kıyasla işletme maliyetlerinin düşüklüğü, uzun işletme ömürleri, yüksek verimlilik oranları ve atmosferik emisyon üretmeyen temiz yapılarıyla Türkiye'nin yenilenebilir enerji stratejisinde merkezi bir rol oynamaktadır. Türkiye'de hidroelektrik enerji üretimi amaçlı ilk planlamalar ve yatırımlar 1950’li yıllarda başlamış olup, tarihsel süreçte bu yatırımların büyük kısmı Devlet Su İşleri (DSİ) Genel Müdürlüğü eliyle yürütülmüştür.

Hydroelectric power plants (HPP) play a central role in Türkiye’s renewable energy strategy due to their low operating costs compared to fossil fuels, long operational lifespans, high efficiency rates, and clean structure that does not produce atmospheric emissions. The first planning and investments for hydroelectric energy production in Türkiye began in 1950’s, and historically, the majority of these investments have been carried out by the General Directorate of State Hydraulic Works (DSİ).

Turkey's Wetlands Protection Regulation has been amended with significant changes affecting energy investments, particularly hydroelectric plants, dams, and renewable energy facilities. The new rules introduce environmental flow requirements, permit mechanisms for existing facilities, and establish frameworks for renewable energy installations in artificial wetlands.

The Court of Appeal's decision in Sahara Energy Resource Ltd v Société Nationale de Raffinage SA examines the interplay between limitation of liability clauses and indemnity provisions in oil and gas contracts.

The UK's clean energy transition is accelerating with renewable capacity coming online at scale, but the gap between political ambition and commercial reality is creating complex legal challenges for businesses and investors building, financing and acquiring clean energy assets. Three structural shifts—electric vehicle adoption, data centre expansion, and battery storage maturation—are simultaneously driving demand...

Matt Grimwood and John Howells from Newmark explore the explosive growth of the UK data centre sector, examining how power availability, grid capacity constraints...

Geopolitical conflicts and climate change are threatening global food security by disrupting fertiliser supply chains and driving up costs. European companies are developing innovative solutions ranging from green ammonia production and nitrogen fixation technologies to circular fertilisers derived from waste streams and biological alternatives that enhance nutrient efficiency.

The Health and Safety Executive will update Great Britain's Prior Informed Consent list from August 2026, implementing changes that reflect international decisions under the Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions.

The United Kingdom government has extended UK REACH transitional registration deadlines to 2029-2031, providing companies additional time to comply with chemical manufacturing and import regulations. This extension allows the government to develop the Alternative Transitional Registration model aimed at reducing data and financial burdens on businesses while maintaining chemical safety standards.

Statnett and Renewables Norway have introduced stricter maturity requirements for obtaining and retaining grid capacity rights in Norway, effective July 2026. The new framework imposes tighter zoning requirements...

This week's infrastructure planning update examines the Planning Inspectorate's revised advice following the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025, explores Ofgem's proposed reforms to manage the data centre grid connection queue, and recounts how a Harry Potter filming location influenced an electricity interconnector route in Pembrokeshire.

The UK Government is introducing new legislation to regulate load control activity in Great Britain's electricity system, creating a licensing regime for entities that manage consumer-led flexibility through smart appliances. This regulatory framework aims to support the integration of 12 GW of demand flexibility by 2030 while protecting domestic and small business consumers who shift electricity use to off-peak times.