Championing renewable energies in Japan

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Renewable energies are being championed worldwide. In Japan, this is one of the new industrial big growth sectors since the 2011 earthquake. It is also a sector in a state of evolution due to legislative changes in recent years.

Samon has offered assistance to clients worldwide, helping them to penetrate the Japanese market with renewable energy projects, particularly photovoltaic ones, thanks to our knowledge of international transactions and because we offer legal services in different languages. We also meet the needs of Japanese clients by offering know-how and contacts in Spain, a world leader in renewable energies. We are up to date with all new legislation in the field of renewable energies and we have a close awareness of other areas that affect all walks of the sector’s development (corporate and commercial legislation etc). As a result, we are in a position to provide all-round support to clients in matters concerning company incorporations, M&As, operational agreements, technology transfers, and joint ventures, among others.

 

Imminent business opportunities

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Since the FiT incentive bonus system was introduced for renewable energy producers in July 2012, numerous foreign companies have entered the Japanese market. From this third year onward, a gradual drop in the growth rate of the construction of new photovoltaic plants is forecast. In parallel, O&M (operation and maintenance) and transactions involving photovoltaic projects are expected to offer new potential in what we consider to be the second stage of the photovoltaic business.

Samon has extensive know-how and experience of this sector, enabling us to offer swift accurate support and advice.

Thanks to our experience of the photovoltaic sector, we also offer a broad range of services to clients involved in other renewable energy projects, such as wind energy.

Due diligence reports of projects and potential sites

  • Analyses and reports on the legal framework for projects
  • Site research and analysis

Purchase or leasing of sites

  • Drafting and revising property acquisition/transfer agreements

Financing

  • Acting as an intermediary between clients and financial bodies
  • Drafting and revising contractual agreements

Administrative formalities for the installation of energy facilities

  • Research into the necessary formalities
  • Applications for permits and the delivery of notifications

Formalities involving the METI (Ministry of the Economy, Trade & Industry)

  • Defining applications
  • Changes to applications

Formalities involving electricity companies

  • Drafting and revising contracts

The incorporation of SPCs (Special Purpose Companies)

  • Searches for the most suitable legal form
  • Incorporation formalities

EPC (Engineering Procurement Construction)

  • Drafting and revising contracts

O&M (Operations and Maintenance)

  • Drafting and revising contracts

Project transactions

  • Negotiations with buyers/sellers
  • Drafting and revising contracts

Dispute settlement

  • Problems with neighbours
  • Breaches of contract
  • Legal advice