Publications for Power Law Committee
Power Law: Editorial June 2024
John Vellone, Newsletter Editor of the IBA Power Law Committee introduces the latest collection of articles from Committee members.
Released on Jun 19, 2024
Polish legal framework for nuclear small modular reactors
The article describes the existing Polish regulations on nuclear small modular reactors (SMRs) and presents the regulations contained in the Atomic Law and the Nuclear Special Act. On the basis of these legal acts, the main stages of the investment process are introduced, including the types of administrative permits required for this type of investment. The article draws attention to legal restrictions as well as other types of barriers to the development of SMR technology in Poland and also discusses the status of the first SMR projects in Poland.
Released on Jun 16, 2024
Overview on the current SMR’s development status in Mexico
Mexico is exploring the potential of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) to enhance its nuclear energy capabilities. The Political Constitution assigns the responsibility for electric energy planning and control to the federal government, emphasising the strategic role of transmission and distribution. Key agencies such as the Ministry of Energy, the National Commission on Nuclear Safety and Safeguards (CNSNS) and the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) are pivotal in this effort. While no specific SMR plans have been detailed, these bodies are actively involved in discussions and evaluations. The National Institute for Nuclear Research (ININ) also supports nuclear energy initiatives, including SMRs, to meet energy demands and reduce fossil fuel reliance. Despite the lack of a formal timeline, Mexico’s energy strategy shows promise for integrating SMRs into its clean energy future.
Released on Jun 16, 2024
Navigating new horizons: the legal framework for SMRs in Pakistan
This article investigates the possibility of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) as a solution to Pakistan’s growing energy demands amidst challenges such as rising inflation, natural disasters and debt default. Highlighting the country’s reliance on imported fuel and the consequent circular debt, the article advocates for a move to nuclear energy, specifically the use of SMRs with Chinese aid through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The article describes China-Pakistan nuclear cooperation and the need for the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) and the Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority (PNRA) to provide a legal and regulatory framework to enable safe SMR deployment.
Released on Jun 16, 2024
Legal perspectives on SMRs in Canada
Canada is targeting net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) are emerging as a potentially pivotal technology to achieving Canada’s emission targets. Several SMR projects are in development and offer a means to decarbonise the electricity grid, connect isolated Canadian communities, support Canada’s mining industry and potentially support medical applications. SMRs offer significant potential but development remains challenging and further evidence is required for deployment at scale. In this context, developments in regulation, licensing and design review will significantly impact the future of Canada’s emerging SMR industry.
Released on Jun 16, 2024
Türkiye: legal framework of small modular nuclear reactors and applications
The first initiatives regarding nuclear energy in Türkiye date back to approximately 70 years ago. Since this period, significant steps have been taken at various stages, culminating in the current state of nuclear energy development. A prime example of this progression is the collaboration between the Government of Türkiye and the Government of Russia to establish and operate the Mersin-Akkuyu nuclear power plant, including its ongoing construction. Additionally, similar projects are currently underway in Sinop and İğneada-Kırklareli. Consequently, the importance Türkiye places on nuclear energy indicates a potential shift towards Small Modular Nuclear Reactors (SMRs). Studies related to SMRs are being conducted by both governmental and private institutions.
Released on Jun 16, 2024
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
The rise of utility-scale power storage technologies in Pakistan
Renewable energy is heavily reliant on environmental conditions, making energy storage technologies crucial in addressing this challenge. This article discusses the increasing use of utility-scale power storage technologies in Pakistan and the associated legislative framework.
Released on Feb 19, 2024
Insights into the legal environment for large-scale energy storage in Poland
Given the need to decarbonise the Polish economy while maintaining grid stability, energy storage is expected to become an essential element of the Polish energy sector in the next few years. The current legal framework already provides a basis for starting operations in Poland and participating in the rapidly growing market. Further legislative changes may be expected to facilitate the development of the market.
Released on Feb 19, 2024
The Portuguese legal framework on utility-scale energy storage technologies
This article briefly analyses the Portuguese regulatory framework for utility-scale energy storage technologies, in order to highlight the strategies that have been followed. A critical analysis is conducted, underlining the importance of energy storage for the future of climate neutrality.
Released on Feb 19, 2024
Switzerland: the rise of utility-scale energy storage technologies
Switzerland has been relying on pumped storage to release power on the grid when needed for decades, and laws have been tailored to support this technology. The trend is not expected to slow down. Nevertheless, Switzerland is certainly not turning a blind eye to more recent supplementary technologies, considering the shifts in power production. Public funds are being invested in a wide range of projects, and the industry (from major power producers to startups) is dedicating large teams to develop their own storage solutions. A wide range of new storage technologies are being developed, although it remains to be seen when they will become ripe for utility-scale application.
Released on Feb 19, 2024
Thailand’s emerging energy storage sector
There are currently few grid-scale energy storage projects in Thailand, although the situation is likely to change. In furtherance of its commitments under the Paris Agreement, the Thai government has enacted policies which envisage renewable energy accounting for the majority of grid capacity and output by 2040. With ongoing deployment of variable renewable energy technologies, such as solar and wind power, the opportunities for energy storage projects will increase. Long-term plans to liberalise the Thai power market will further accelerate deployment.
Released on Feb 19, 2024
Turkey: the rise of utility-scale energy storage technologies
There is a global shift towards renewable energy due to the depletion of fossil fuel reserves. Investments in solar and wind projects focused on grid stability are on the rise. Turkey, closely monitoring energy sector trends, has long supported renewable energy investments, resulting in increased installed capacity. This article highlights legal provisions promoting the expansion of renewable energy investments with storage systems, aligning with Turkey’s strategic goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2053.
Released on Feb 19, 2024
Power Law: Editorial August 2023
John Vellone, Newsletter Editor of the IBA Power Law Committee introduces the latest collection of articles from Committee members.
Released on Aug 11, 2023
Poland: European Union’s energy market in the spotlight – EU’s proposal for changes
The Russian invasion of Ukraine triggered an energy crisis and raised major concerns over the appropriateness of the current European Union’s energy market architecture. New EU legislation intends to promote long-term corporate power purchase agreements (cPPAs) as instruments that facilitate new investment in renewable energy source (RES) installations and stabilise energy costs for end-users.
Released on Aug 11, 2023
Peru: The impact of Ukraine’s invasion on the energy industry
Covid-19, high levels of debt and increasing interest rates, the invasion of Ukraine and the ghost of a nuclear war: the imminent arrival of El Niño Global. These are some of the reasons that more and more analysts use the word ‘polycrisis’ to refer to the situation in which the effects of several problems of different natures or origins are bundled up and strengthened. Some analysts, though, have started using a far eerier word: ‘permacrisis’.
Released on Aug 11, 2023
Canada: The expected (and unexpected) consequences of the Russo-Ukrainian war on the power sector
The impact of the Russo-Ukrainian war on the power sector in Canada was most acutely felt through an increase in the cost of fossil fuels, including natural gas, which through the operation of thermal power plants acting as the marginal source of supply in numerous energy markets drove an increase in wholesale market pricing across North America.
Released on Aug 11, 2023
Portugal: Short notes on the ‘Iberian exception’ – a gas price cap to lower wholesale electricity prices
The disruption caused globally by the Russo-Ukrainian conflict, which started on 24 February 2022, was acutely felt on various economic fronts. One of the most visible impacts – the humanitarian crisis aside – concerned the energy markets.
Released on Aug 11, 2023
Pakistan: Impact of the Russo-Ukrainian war on the power sector
The Russo-Ukrainian war has, among others, exacerbated the energy crisis, especially for countries that do not independently produce much of their energy, such as Pakistan. This article will discuss the impacts of the Russo-Ukrainian war on the power sector in Pakistan and what the country can do to increase self-reliance to mitigate the energy crisis.
Released on Aug 11, 2023
Thailand: The impact of the war in Ukraine on the power sector
The war in Ukraine has been a factor in recent regulatory changes in Thailand that promote market liberalisation and increased renewable energy deployment. Although the war may not be the decisive factor behind these trends, it has accelerated their development. The foundations of third-party access regimes, new merger control rules and a large-scale renewable energy tender are examples of legal and regulatory initiatives in the past year; it is likely that greater liberalisation and promotion of renewable energy will continue to be themes in the foreseeable future.
Released on Aug 11, 2023
Energy transition in Portugal: current status and post-pandemic trends
Notwithstanding the arrival of the Covid-19 pandemic, the fight against global warming is possibly the most pressing issue in the international agenda. This article summarises Portugal’s policies on energy transition before the pandemic and highlights some of the post-pandemic market trends.
Released on Jun 8, 2021
‘Turnkey’ German system for electric power transmission projects in Paraguay
Paraguay would seem to be a clear example of a favourable ecosystem for private investment in public infrastructure through various procurement mechanisms. In recent decades, a remarkable macroeconomic, tax and currency stability has been established and consolidated with a neat and careful management of public accounts, as well as respect for long term compromises which provide a safe framework for investors.
Released on Jun 8, 2021
Prospects of embedded generation in the Nigeria’s power sector
The unreliability of Nigeria’s power sector has led industry stakeholders to seek alternative sources of electricity for consumers while waiting for the national grid power to improve significantly. This article focuses on the prospects of embedded generation in Nigeria.
Released on Jun 8, 2021
Judicial interpretation of Section 71(6) of the Nigerian Electric Power Sector Reform Act 2005
In liberalising Nigeria’s electricity sector, the distribution of electricity was handed to Distribution Successor Companies. The assumption was that the licences issued to these Companies over certain geographical areas were exclusive. This court case provides clarity through the judicial interpretation of Section 71(6) of the Electric Power Sector Reform Act 2005.
Released on Jun 8, 2021
Renewable energy in Nigeria: law, regulation, trends and opportunities
As the harmful effects of pollution and greenhouse gas emissions become clearer and the need for sustainable development takes on a more central role in the global energy conversation, there appears to be a consensus amongst key players that it is imperative to shift focus towards renewable energy and other clean energy sources.
Released on Jun 8, 2021
What Kenya and the rest of Africa can learn from the recent Texas power outage
In February 2021, Texas’s power crisis became a major issue. From the discussions by experts and officials, it could be attributed to extreme weather conditions, exceptional electricity demand, a non-weather-resistant energy system, poor predictive planning, Texas’s laissez-faire energy market and its independent grid.
Released on Jun 8, 2021
The future of renewable energy communities in Italy: an opportunity
The rapid development of renewable energy communities in Italy and the changes brought about by EU Directive 2018/2001.
Released on Jun 8, 2021