1.

Legal and regulatory framework

1.1

What role does the state play in the renewables industry and which national legislative and regulatory provisions have relevance for the renewables industry in your jurisdiction?

1.2

Which bilateral or multilateral instruments or treaties with effect in your jurisdiction have relevance for the renewables industry?

1.3

Which national regulatory bodies are responsible for enforcing the applicable laws and regulations? What powers do they have and what is their general approach in regulating the renewables industry?

1.4

What role do regional or local government or public bodies play in the renewables industry?

2.

Renewables industry

2.1

Which renewable technologies are considered relatively mature in your jurisdiction, and which are emerging as potentially new technologies in the market?

2.2

Who are the key players in the renewables industry in your jurisdiction?

2.3

How much do renewables currently contribute to the domestic energy mix? What are the near-term projections for the role they will play?

3.

Utility-scale renewables projects

3.1

What utility-scale renewables projects are currently operational or planned in your jurisdiction? What are their key features?

3.2

What authorisations are required for the construction and operation of utility-scale renewables projects in your jurisdiction?

3.3

Do these authorisations vary in respect of the location of the energy source, the location of the asset or the involvement of a foreign entity?

3.4

What is the procedure for obtaining such authorisations? How long does this typically take? Who is responsible for issuing them?

3.5

What are the key features of such authorisations, including any process for renewal and the rights and obligations of the holder?

3.6

Can these authorisations be transferred? If so, how and subject to what consents? Do any restrictions apply to the transfer?

3.7

What obligations apply in relation to decommissioning? How is this funded?

3.8

What are the main barriers to the development of utility-scale renewables projects in your jurisdiction?

3.9

Environmental issues

What environmental regulations or requirements must renewables generators in your jurisdiction observe on an ongoing basis (from pre-development to decommissioning)?
What are the potential consequences of breach of these requirements – both for the renewables generator and for its directors, managers and employees?
Which national and regional regulatory bodies are responsible for the enforcement of environmental obligations, and what is their general approach in regulating the renewables industry?

3.10

Health and safety issues

What key health and safety requirements apply to renewables projects in your jurisdiction and are there best practices in relation to health and safety that should be adopted?
What are the potential consequences of breach of these requirements – both for the renewables generator and for its directors, managers and employees?

4.

Distributed generation projects

4.1

What are the key differences in relation to small-scale distributed generation projects compared to utility-scale projects in your jurisdiction with regard to the regime discussed in question 3?

4.2

What are the main networks that apply to small-scale distributed generation projects in your jurisdiction?

5.

Taxes and incentives

5.1

What national, regional and/or local incentives are available as subsidies or support to facilitate the deployment of renewables projects in your jurisdiction?

5.2

Are any tax reliefs available for investment in renewables projects?

5.3

Have there been any interventions affecting renewables projects in terms of their ability to be constructed or operated, or their ability to earn revenue, in your jurisdiction?

5.4

What other incentives are available to promote the development of the renewables industry in your jurisdiction?

6.

Financing structures

6.1

Is debt financing typically used and are there any particular structures that are common for renewables projects in your jurisdiction?

6.2

What are the advantages and disadvantages of these different types of structures?

6.3

What other considerations and concerns should parties bear in mind when deciding on a financing structure for a renewables project?

6.4

What main financing institutions are active in your jurisdiction?

6.5

Which financing markets are usually turned to for sources of debt in your jurisdiction, (eg, local, London, New York)?

7.

Transmission, distribution and export

7.1

What are the applicable processes for connecting renewables projects with transmission, distribution and export networks in your jurisdiction? Do these processes differ between different types of renewable technologies and between renewables and non-renewable projects?

7.2

What requirements and restrictions apply to the export of renewable energy onto the network?

7.3

What other considerations and concerns should be borne in mind in relation to the transmission, distribution and export of renewable energy in your jurisdiction, including participation in ancillary services, wholesale electricity trading markets, network charging arrangements specific to renewables and the ability to construct part of the connection infrastructure? Are there long queues and delays for connection?

7.4

Are there any initiatives, reforms or consultations relating to the connection of renewables projects?

8.

Storage

8.1

What processes and rules apply to parties wishing to construct and operate a storage (eg, battery, hydrogen, hydro) project in your jurisdiction?

8.2

Are there any barriers to the development of storage projects in your jurisdiction?

8.3

What other considerations and concerns should be borne in mind in relation to the development of storage projects in your jurisdiction?

9.

Competition

9.1

Are there any dominant players, including dominant purchasers, in the renewables industry in your jurisdiction?

9.2

Are there any pro-competition measures that are targeted specifically at renewables generators?

10.

Disputes

10.1

In your jurisdiction, do disputes typically go to arbitration or litigation, and does this vary for different types of disputes? What sorts of matters tend to come up in disputes?

10.2

Have there been any important disputes in the public domain that relate to or may potentially impact on the renewables industry or the deployment of renewables projects?

11.

Trends and predictions

11.1

How would you describe the current renewables landscape and prevailing trends in your jurisdiction?

11.2

What influence are net zero commitments having on the development of the renewables industry in your jurisdiction?

11.3

What new developments are anticipated in the next 12 months, including any proposed legislative reforms?

12.

Tips and traps

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