Chair
Philippe Raybaud

Power Law Committee

The mission of the Power Law Committee of the International Bar Association is to provide a forum where energy lawyers with different legal backgrounds from around the world can interact and learn from one another in a setting encouraging collegiality and the friendly exchange of ideas. The committee is part of the Section on Energy, Environment, Natural Resources and Infrastructure Law.

About the Committee

The mission of the Power Law Committee of the International Bar Association is to provide a forum where energy lawyers with different legal backgrounds from around the world can interact and learn from one another in a setting encouraging collegiality and the friendly exchange of ideas.

Although the power sector may be governed by rules specific to each jurisdiction, the acceptance of international ownership of power companies and plants is now very well-established in many jurisdictions. Similarly, despite the fact that transactional and finance lawyers have become increasingly involved in the power business, there is still the need for highly specialized expertiserelating to regulatory regimes and methodologies, power purchase arrangements, transmission siting, access and pricing, engineering procurement and construction, operation and maintenance, reliability standards and compliance, fuel procurement and hedging arrangements.

Additionally, and very importantly, there is the new global emphasis on sources of renewable energy and demand side management necessary to mitigate climate change.

All of these are topics that the Power Law Committee will explore, hoping to provide its membership with practical and useful advice to better serve clients, and to offer the opportunity for collaboration, networking and friendships among its members.

Forthcoming conferences and webinars View All Conferences

Journal of Energy & Natural Resources Law

Published quarterly, the Journal of Energy & Natural Resources Law (JERL) is the journal of the SEERIL. Featuring contributions written by some of the finest academic minds and most successful practitioners in this area of study, JERL is a highly respected journal committed to reflecting contemporary issues that face the energy and natural resources sectors.

Publications

Power Law: Editorial February 2024

John Vellone, Newsletter Editor of the IBA Power Law Committee introduces the latest collection of articles from Committee members.

Released on Feb 19, 2024

The rise of utility-scale storage in Canada

Utility-scale energy storage in Canada is undergoing a transformative shift, marked by a surge in market engagement over the past three years. In Canada, provinces wield a strong constitutional authority in energy matters. Ontario, the country’s most populous province has taken a pioneering stance in addressing increasing energy demands and an imminent capacity shortfall. The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) has embarked on ambitious procurements to secure a significant future capacity increase of utility-scale storage. The evolution of storage technology, coupled with public investment and policy updates, underscores its pivotal role in decarbonisation, cost reduction, and grid resiliency.

Released on Feb 19, 2024

Italy: the rise of utility-scale energy storage technologies

Energy transition – the need to achieve progressive and complete decarbonisation by 2050 – presents Italy with important challenges in increasing energy production from renewable resources on the one hand, and the necessary progressive increase in the availability of utility-scale energy storage capacity on the other. The Italian legislator has acted to guarantee a long-term supply system of new storage capacity by introducing a mechanism based on competitive, transparent and non-discriminatory auctions. The system recognises the right to an annual remuneration, in exchange for the provision of the awarded capacity as part of the national energy market.

Released on Feb 19, 2024

The rise of utility-scale energy storage technologies in Mexico

This article addresses Mexico’s strides in energy storage amid a lack of clear legislation. With a focus on renewable sources, it highlights the nation’s 31.2 per cent installed capacity for renewable electricity generation. Despite growth, challenges persist, including the absence of defined legal frameworks and regulatory bodies. Many businesses adopt energy storage, but hurdles such as transmission rates and market limitations hinder cost-effective deployment. The text emphasises the global urgency for regulatory clarity, highlighting Mexico’s role in lithium resources. It concludes by noting a 2019 Draft Legislation/Bill that has not yet been published, underlining the immediate need for comprehensive regulation to bolster sustainable energy practices in Mexico.

Released on Feb 19, 2024