Cassels has been providing legal advice to energy clients in the oil & gas and electricity & utilities industries for over 30 years. We offer experience in the corporate, commercial, regulatory, financing, tax regulatory, Aboriginal and real property aspects of energy law (including renewable energy and clean technology) and we have advised companies, governments, consumers, generators, distributors, lenders and underwriters on a vast array of energy related transactions and projects.
Oil and Gas
Cassels has deep experience in all aspects of oil and gas law, including domestic and international transactions related to the energy, midstream and related service industries. This experience includes the acquisition, disposition and operation of energy and midstream service assets as well as joint venture, corporate finance, corporate governance, continuance disclosure and mergers and acquisition matters.
Electricity and Utilities
Our electricity and utilities lawyers have extensive experience in all aspects of the purchase, disposition, financing and/or development of public utility and independent power projects in multiple jurisdictions in Canada. We have also negotiated many forms of energy supply contracts, including negotiating and structuring complex power purchase and procurement agreements and other physical and financial bilateral agreements for the supply of electricity in the Province of Ontario and in other Canadian jurisdictions.
Our experience in this area extends to:
- Public utility and independent power project acquisition, disposition, financing and development
- Power procurement, including physical and financial power purchase agreements and any related cross-border issues
- Corporate governance, regulatory structure, asset transfer, employee and pension issues, delegated authority and other matters related to the electricity industry
- Incorporations, partnerships, limited partnerships and joint ventures
- Privatization and public-private partnerships
- Equity and debt financing through private placements and public offerings
- Regulatory approvals
- Construction law advice, including contract disputes, resolution of lien problems, bankruptcy and insolvency of contractors, and claims for faulty construction
- Dispute resolution between major utility corporations through arbitration or the courts
Contracts & Agreements
We have acted for a number of parties with respect to structuring and negotiating power purchase, procurement, and a myriad of other physical and financial bilateral agreements pertaining to the supply of electricity.
Renewable Energy & Clean Technology
We bring together a multi-disciplinary team of top-ranked lawyers across Canada with a wealth of expertise in electricity, infrastructure and project/equipment finance, environmental assessment and approval, government relations, land development and real estate, public-private partnerships and intellectual property. Our team is skilled at helping clients respond to the risks and opportunities presented by government climate change related regulations and programs.
Core Strength in the Electricity Sector. We draw on our extensive expertise advising businesses, financial institutions, and investors in the electricity sector, having acted for electricity generators and distributors, electric utilities and large electricity consumers advising on project licence agreements, transmission arrangements, regulatory compliance, tax matters, Aboriginal issues and the Crown’s duty to consult Aboriginal peoples, project structuring, etc.
Navigating Government Renewable Energy Incentive Programs. Our team is expert at navigating the regulations and requirements of government incentive programs for renewable energy. Whether you are an industry equipment supplier, wind or solar farm developer, a landlord looking to lease a rooftop for solar energy production or a lender financing the construction of a wind farm, our lawyers can provide you with the business-focused, strategic advice that will help you achieve your goals efficiently while minimizing the risks.
Public Markets Expertise. Our Securities Group offers comprehensive legal services in corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions and securities regulatory matters. Widely recognized for our experience and innovation in all areas of corporate securities law, we have one of the largest, most diverse and sophisticated securities law groups in Canada. The breadth and depth of our practice allows us to be on the cutting edge of new developments and important trends. We have experience across all industries, including clean technology and renewable energy. We have assisted such clients in a variety of matters including pre-public financings, including angel and venture capital investments, public offerings, stock exchange listings, amalgamations, mergers, arrangements, acquisitions and reorganizations, ongoing compliance with securities law and continuous disclosure requirements.
Energy Transition
Cassels provides strategic legal advice to clients across the country on Canada’s transition to a low-carbon economy. Our lawyers have experience advising clients in the financial services, mining, oil & gas, renewable energy, and cleantech industries on energy transition matters. Energy transition opportunities for companies include carbon credits, green loans, building retrofits, battery metals, electric vehicles, carbon capture, use and storage (CCUS), low carbon fuels, and power purchase agreements for renewable energy. Our energy transition team has deep experience with the financing (debt and equity) of these projects and industries.