Leading legal advice on energy supply and the energy systems of the future

From permitting to operations and trading

Foyen is home to some of Sweden's most prominent energy and environmental law practitioners. With decades of combined experience and deep industry knowledge, we support clients across the entire lifecycle of energy projects – from early-stage development and permitting through to financing, construction, operations, and dispute resolution.

Leading specialist in energy and renewable energy

Project development and permitting processes

Foyen has extensive experience guiding complex energy projects through Swedish and European regulatory frameworks

Regulatory matters, trading, and the electricity market

The energy market is heavily regulated and requires a thorough understanding of both national law and EU law.

Wind power, hydropower, solar energy, and gas

Foyen has particular expertise in wind power, hydropower, solar energy, hydrogen, and energy storage.

Together we build the energy solutions of the future

Foyen has particular expertise in wind power, solar energy, hydrogen, and energy storage, where we handle complex permitting processes, grid connection, land and lease matters, as well as business models and offtake agreements such as PPAs. In the areas of district heating and hydropower, we provide strategic advice on price review, reviews under the National Plan (NAP), environmental conditions, and compensation matters.

Project development and permitting processes

Foyen has extensive experience guiding complex energy projects through Swedish and European regulatory frameworks. We are also market-leading in construction law, providing a unique breadth of expertise for the procurement and construction of energy facilities.

Environmental assessment and permitting

Assistance with applications under the Environmental Code for, for example, wind farms (onshore and offshore), solar parks, hydrogen facilities, and grid projects.

Land access and rights of use

Drafting and negotiating lease agreements, easements, and advice on matters relating to compulsory acquisition and compensation.

Planning and building matters

Strategic advice on detailed development plans, comprehensive planning, and municipal decision-making processes.

EPC agreements (Engineering, Procurement and Construction)

Procurement and drafting of turnkey contracts for power and energy facilities.

O&M agreements (Operations and Maintenance)

Agreements for the operation and maintenance of facilities throughout their entire lifespan.

Turbine and supply agreements (TSA)

Negotiation and drafting of supply agreements for wind turbines, solar panels, and other key technologies.

Energy as a security and preparedness issue

In recent years, the energy issue has shifted from being a purely market-driven concern to becoming a central element of Sweden's national security and total defence. Our page on security and defence provides further information on the Security Protection Act (2018:585) and how to navigate the new regulatory frameworks.

Regulatory Matters and the Electricity Market

The energy market is subject to extensive regulation at both national and EU level, requiring specialist legal knowledge to navigate effectively. Foyen has expertise across all areas related to electricity trading and distribution, both within and outside Sweden.

Grid and Concessions

Advisory services under the Electricity Act regarding grid connections, line and area concessions.

Electricity Trading and PPAs (Power Purchase Agreements)

Drafting and negotiating long-term power purchase agreements between producers and large electricity consumers.

Regulatory Compliance

Advice on electricity certificates, guarantees of origin, and quota obligations.

Transactions and Financing (M&A)

The energy sector is characterised by a high pace of transactions. Foyen assists investors, developers, and industrial players in all types of deals.

Due Diligence
Legal reviews of energy projects prior to acquisition or divestiture, including environmental permits, grid concessions, and commercial agreements.

Transaction Advisory
Drafting and negotiating share purchase agreements (SPAs) and asset transfers.

Project Financing
Advisory services in contacts with banks and financiers, including structuring of security packages and loan agreements tailored to energy projects.

Dispute Resolution

When disputes arise, Foyen has a strong track record of representing clients in both court proceedings and arbitration.

Land and Environment Courts – In permitting matters, appeals against permit decisions, exemptions and approvals, and environmental law disputes, such as matters of environmental liability.

General Courts and Arbitration Proceedings – In commercial disputes relating to projects, construction, and transactions.

Battery Storage and Ancillary Services

Business models for ancillary services such as FCR and mFRR require clear contractual structures and risk allocation. We review and draft agreement types such as Battery-as-a-Service and the use of batteries for grid stabilisation.

Specific Technology Areas

Wind power Renskriv härifrån

Developing wind power requires strategic navigation through complex permitting processes, sector-specific legislation, and international law.

Offshore wind power (EEZ and maritime law)
Projects within Sweden's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) require a deep understanding of the interplay between the Act on Sweden's Exclusive Economic Zone, the Continental Shelf Act, the Environmental Code, and other relevant legislation, including EU law. Key issues concern overlapping claims, coexistence with shipping, fishing, and defence, conservation values and species protection, as well as the allocation of responsibility for installation, operation, and decommissioning at sea.

Municipal veto and permitting processes
The municipal veto and extensive environmental reviews represent significant project risks. A successful strategy requires early dialogue, thorough stakeholder analysis, and preparation for multi-instance appeal processes.

Grid connection and allocation of responsibility
Advisory services cover connection agreements, capacity matters, and the division of responsibilities between the developer and the grid owner – including matters relating to the national and regional transmission networks.

Hydropower

The National Plan for the review of hydropower (NAP) entails a comprehensive legal transition for the industry. Foyen has many years of experience in hydropower permitting and review proceedings.

Modern environmental conditions
Assistance in review proceedings to ensure that environmental adaptation requirements – such as fish passages and bypasses – are balanced against the need for controllable and plannable electricity production.

Compensation matters and production impact
Handling of matters relating to the Hydropower Environmental Fund and compensation for production losses arising from new environmental conditions.

Cultural heritage and environmental benefit
Strategic legal argumentation regarding the preservation of culturally and historically valuable dam facilities in relation to requirements for ecological restoration.

Solar energy

The solar energy market has evolved from small-scale installations to large industrial projects on agricultural and industrial properties.

Land use and the Environmental Code
Establishing solar parks on agricultural land requires careful balancing of energy production and agricultural interests. Lease agreements for solar parks should include clear provisions on restoration, security arrangements, and long-term indexation.

Regulatory matters and self-consumption
Advisory services on self-generated electricity, structures for internal electricity sharing between properties or companies, and legal solutions for energy communities and virtual power plants.

Non-concession networks (IKN) and grid optimisation
Managing non-concession networks (IKN) is central to optimising distribution within larger facilities and industrial areas.

Hydrogen

Infrastructure and classification
Advisory services on permitting matters, land access, and the legal classification of hydrogen – as a gas, chemical, or energy carrier. In the case of storage, the Seveso Directive and safety-related permits are also relevant. Foyen has many years of experience with both hydrogen and natural gas.

PPAs for green hydrogen
Structuring of complex supply agreements for green hydrogen production, where traceability, guarantees of origin, and long-term price hedging are key components.

District heating

The district heating sector is well-established but faces increasing demands for transparency, competition, and customer influence.

Price review and reasonableness assessment
Recent energy price developments have prompted new assessments of what constitutes reasonable district heating prices. Foyen has in-depth expertise in this area.

Supply and connection agreements
Development and adaptation of standard agreements – particularly for larger industrial customers and data centres where residual heat recovery and capacity matters are central.

Third-party access
Legal and commercial considerations relating to the integration of external heat sources into existing networks.

Nuclear power and SMRs (Small Modular Reactors)

Foyen handles regulatory matters, permitting, decommissioning, waste management, strategic procurement, and public procurement. Foyen has many years of experience in nuclear power and nuclear waste.

Energy storage

Battery storage and ancillary services
Business models for ancillary services such as FCR and mFRR require clear contractual structures and risk allocation. We review and draft agreement types such as Battery-as-a-Service and the use of batteries for grid stabilisation.

Combined heat and power (CHP) Dubbelkolla stav

Permitting a combined heat and power plant places high demands on both legal and technical understanding. Foyen has many years of experience in CHP permitting proceedings. This also includes the review of carbon capture and liquefaction arising from CHP operations. Our clients include both municipal operators and major international energy companies.