Global Energy Outlook: Deals, disputes, and regulation

With respect to energy transition, the U.S., until recently, has been a few paces behind the European Union. The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) have changed that, with the U.S. government offering unparalleled incentives for production and investment in renewable energy.

The European Union has now instituted its own instrument, including the Renewable Energy Directive III and the Net Zero Industry Act. Further changes arise from the recently amended EU ETS regime. In the near future, the novated so-called “gas package” in the EU will no longer be applicable to natural gas only, but also to low carbon gases, in particular, hydrogen.

• What incentives are available, what does it take to qualify, and what are the drawbacks?
• Which regulations are required for the industry to advance in the energy transition and what are the subsequent changes arising?
• How did these regimes come about and what legislation is next in the U.S., the European Union, or elsewhere?
• What impacts are these incentive and regulatory programs having on deals in the energy sector?
• What are the disputes implications from the mismatch between long term contract and drastic changes in the market? Is the disputes environment different in the U.S. and Europe?