With work for BP, E.ON, Wind Direct, Alstec and the landmark Irish Single Electricity Market deal under its belt, Wragge & Co's cross-firm Energy team has a growing reputation in the energy sector.

The team, led by partner Derek Goodban, acts for generators, network operators, suppliers, traders, consumer bodies, trade associations and customers, as well as the Northern Ireland regulator. This mix of clients gives it useful insight into the particular issues and challenges facing the different groups, plus a wider overview of the sector as a whole.

A blend of regulatory, corporate, construction, real estate, planning and commercial expertise means 'the group's multi-disciplinary approach allows it to bring a comprehensive, high-level service to clients' (Legal 500).

One particular area of speciality is renewables. The team advised BP plc on a strategic alliance between BP Alternative Energy and Clipper Windpower, and acted for Wind Direct on its joint venture with private equity firm HGCapital.

Production is an area where there are often significant capital expenditure issues, either in relation to the development of projects or in regard to acquisitions. The team's production experts provide advice to clients on combined cycle gas turbines power plants and combined heat and power (CHP) plants in relation to renewable energy. Its lawyers also advise on the acquisition of interests in gas fields and exploration as well as energy contracts.

The team is helping E.ON UK create one of the world's largest CHP stations on the Isle of Grain in Kent. This state-of-the-art facility will export up to 340MW of 'waste' heat to National Grid's nearby LNG Terminal. The innovative CHP scheme will result in a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions from the LNG Terminal of up to 350,000 tonnes each year.

Energy experts have helped with risk management and settlement arrangements for trading. They have also set up a number of trading businesses within the UK for electricity, gas, coal, oil and other commodities. Secondments with some of the largest trading businesses in Europe have helped develop specialist industry knowledge in this area.

Whether they own and operate gas facilities or electricity networks, network operators in the UK are restricted in the revenues that they can obtain. Regulated asset base returns are fixed during price control discussions with the appropriate regulator. The team understands the effect regulated issues have on the contracts, structures and commercial arrangements that network businesses can enter into.

Experts provide regular updates on items of interest to its contacts, combining legal analysis with practical steps to be taken.

For more information on energy and regulated industries, contact derek_goodban@wragge.com.